WAHS ATHLETICS

Welcome to the Western Albemarle High School Athletic Department newsletter! We’re excited to keep you informed about all things related to Warrior athletics. Our student-athletes are dedicated to excellence both on and off the field, and this newsletter is your inside look at their achievements, upcoming events, and stories of hard work and sportsmanship. From game highlights and season previews to athlete spotlights and important updates, we’re here to bring our athletic community closer together. Thank you for being part of the Warrior family and for supporting our teams.

Go Warriors!

Photo Credit: Luke Winters (@luke_winters)

Lily Smith (left) has dedicated five years to Western Albemarle’s Cross Country team, making her a seasoned runner and a valuable team member. Her achievements on and off the track highlight her commitment to both athletics and academics. Last year, Lily earned an all-state award in the 3200m during the Outdoor Track season and was recognized for academic excellence in AP World History as a sophomore. She is also a proud member of the National Honor Society.

Lily actively gives back to her community through multiple service opportunities, including leadership in Wyldlife, participation in The Letter Project, and volunteer work with her cross country team. Grateful for the support system that’s guided her, Lily extends heartfelt thanks to her parents and coaches for their constant encouragement, dedication, and support. "I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunities that Western Albemarle athletics has presented me," she shares.

A pre-race ritual of styling her hair in a specific way helps Lily mentally prepare and brings a sense of familiarity to her races. One of her favorite memories was last year’s unforgettable state championship victory in cross country. “We weren’t expected to win, and it was the best feeling in the world knowing that we did it as a team,” she recalls. This accomplishment, achieved through teamwork and perseverance, is a cherished highlight of her athletic journey at Western Albemarle.

Anja La Fleur (Right) is a dedicated member and co-captain of the cross country team at Western Albemarle High School. Beyond her achievements on the trails, Anja is also the co-founder of the German Club and a member of the Math Honor Society and National Honor Society. Outside of school, Anja works at Ragged Mountain Running and Walking Shop, where she stays connected to her passion for running. She also enjoys baking and making art, finding creativity and balance in these activities.

Anja has a strong commitment to community service, volunteering with her cross country team at the Dogwood Track Classic in the spring and the Women’s 4 Miler in the fall. Her support system includes her coaches, teammates, friends, and parents, to whom she’s grateful for their encouragement and guidance. Before every race, she keeps her spirits high with her motto, “Race happy,” and ties her bow into her ponytail for good luck.

Anja's favorite racing memories include the exciting 2023 RVA Relays and the recent 2024 Ragged Mountain Cup, both experiences filled with camaraderie and unforgettable moments on the course.

Picture by TSS Photography

Field Hockey

What a great week for the Western Field Hockey team. On Monday night the team played in the region semi-final game and won a hard fought gaime against Fauquier 2-1 with goals by Camille Love and Skyler Powell. On Thursday, the team overcame the upset-minded Culpeper team in overtime, 1-0. The Warriors controlled possession throughout the game and eventually Skyler Powell scored on a nice assist from Jean Nika Van Der West Huizen. Goalie Maizey McCarthy and the Warriors defense continued their incredible play in the win. The team plays in the state quarter final game on Tuesday at 5:30PM at the Warrior Stadium.

Cross Country

Congratulations to the Girls Cross Country teams for finishing as region runner-up on Wednesday. Special shout out to Emerson Ritter and Logan Juhl for earning all-region.

The Boy's CC team finished second in the Region 3C Championship yesterday. All Region performers Spencer Envall, who finished sixth, and Charles Larson, who finished fifteenth, led the team. WAHS was the only team in the region to finish five runners in the top 20 with Silvio Sicoli, 18th, Finn Smith, 19th, and George Geis, 20th.

Both teams will compete in the State Championship Meet at Virginia Tech on Saturday, November 16th.

Football

The Western Albemarle football team fought hard in a thrilling season finale on Senior Night, ultimately falling in a heartbreaking overtime loss to cross-town rival Albemarle. The team closed out the season with a 3-7 record, displaying determination and resilience throughout each game. A special thank you to our seniors—Liam Caruana, Alex Lake, Stuart Lamar, Sani Reed, Cooper Shelton, and Kyler Snow—for your dedication, leadership, and contributions to the program. Your commitment has left a lasting impact on the team.

Volleyball

The Warrior volleyball team wrapped up a hard-fought season with a narrow loss in a thrilling 5-game match against Rockbridge County in the first round of the region playoffs. The Warriors ended the season with a strong 16-11 record, demonstrating skill, resilience, and teamwork. A special thank you goes to senior Elisabeth Shin for her dedication and leadership throughout the season.

On a more positive note, congratulations to Ava Hardy and Mary Kumer, who were named to the First Team All-Jefferson District, and to Amelia Romesburg, Elisabeth Shin, and Katherine Heilman for earning Honorable Mention recognition in the district. Great work, Warriors, on an impressive season!

Monday (11/11):

Winter Sport Practices Begin: Check out www.wahswarriors.com for updated practice information and coach contact information.

Tuesday (11/12):

5:30PM: Field Hockey vs Grafton: State Quarter Finals @ Western Stadium - GoFan Ticket

6:00PM: Scholastic Bowl @ WAHS

Saturday (11/16)

10:30AM & 11:15AM: State Cross Country Championships - @ Virginia Tech - Tickets will be available on GoFAn

November 13th - Senior NCAA Signing Day 2024 - 2025

• National Signing Day is a day when high school student-athletes can sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play a collegiate sport for a NCAA school. The day varies by sport and is divided into an early signing period and a regular signing period. For example, in 2024, the signing day for Division I and Division II sports outside of football and basketball is November 13, 2024. We will also have a spring signing day for Division III student-athletes and late-signing Division I & Division II athletes.

• Date: November 13
  Time: 8:00AM Start (Please arrive early)
  Location: WAHS Main Gym

  Athletes Participating: Sadie Adams, Caitlin Bernard, Reese Coggeshall, Raina Fitzwater, Anders Felt, Gigi Hathaway, Jack Hathaway, Thomas Heilman, Elsie MacCleery, Lucy Nicholson, Connor Rittenhouse, McLean Stokes, Richard Wang

November 18th - Winter Sport Parent Meeting (6:30PM)

As we gear up for the winter sports season, we invite you to our mandatory parent meeting in the cafeteria. This meeting is essential for all families with student-athletes participating in winter sports.

We will cover important information regarding schedules, expectations, safety protocols, and our commitment to fostering a positive and supportive environment for our athletes. Your involvement is crucial to our success, and we encourage all parents to attend.

November 20th - Fall Sport Awards Event (6:30PM in Main Gym) (This is a DATE CHANGE)

We are thrilled to announce the revival of our Fall Sports Awards Event.This celebration will honor the outstanding achievements of our teams and individual student-athletes from the fall season. Join us as we recognize their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate our athletes’ accomplishments. We hope to see you there!

Winter sports season is almost here, and we’re excited to kick things off! Parents, please remember to check wahswarriors.com for the latest updates on practice and game schedules. This site will keep you informed throughout the season. If you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out directly to the coaches—they’re here to help. Let’s look forward to a fantastic season filled with Warrior pride and teamwork!

REQUIRED PRIOR TO PARTICIPATING IN OUT OF SEASON PRACTICE & TRYOUTS:

Athletes must have the following submitted prior to participating in tryouts

1. A completed VHSL Physical Form dated after 5/1/2024. Submit

completed physicals (all 4 pages) to the Athletic Department via email to

slovaglio@k12albemarle.org or drop off at the athletics or main office.

2. Complete the online “Activity Registration” which can be found along the

top of the WAHS Sports homepage (www.wahswarriors.com). Helpful

information can be found on the left side of the homepage ... “Activity

Information for Parents” under “Quick Links”.

WINTER SPORTS COACHES CONTACT INFORMATION

Boys’ Basketball: Darren Maynard - ddmaynard20@gmail.com

Girls' Basketball: Kris Wright - kris@thesabre.com

Indoor Track: Marie Whitten - mwhitten1@gmail.com & Lindy Bain - lbainxc@gmail.com

Swim & Dive: Adam Reinhard (Swim) - jreinhard@k12albemarle.org &

• Shawn Lipinski (Dive) - shawn.lipinski@gmail.com

Wrestling: Scott Townsend - stownsend@k12albemarle.org

Winter SPORTS SCHEDULES: Winter Sport Schedules are posted on the WAHS Sports Website www.wahswarriors.com . Schedules may change, so please check

regularly.

Are you ready to show off your strength and athleticism? Interested in throwing the shotput or discus? Join us and become a part of our amazing track team! Our winter season starts soon.

Whether you’re a seasoned thrower or want to try something new, we welcome everyone. Come out and see if you’ve got what it takes to launch those throws to new heights!

Don't miss this chance to be part of a supportive and exciting team. Any questions email Coach Zawacki at ezawacki@k12albemarle.org

📅 Date: November 11th 📍 Location: Western High School Track and Field When: 4:25

Support our school and show your spirit! Visit our online store to browse a variety of school-related gear, from apparel to accessories. A portion of every purchase goes directly back to our school, helping to fund programs and activities that benefit all our students. Shop now and make a difference while looking great!