WAHS ATHLETICS

As we move through the season, we are proud to highlight the outstanding achievements and hard work of our student-athletes here at Western Albemarle. This edition brings you updates on our teams, individual accomplishments, and upcoming events. From impressive victories to moments of teamwork and resilience, we’re excited to share the energy and spirit that make our athletic programs so special.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our athletes, coaches, and community. Let’s continue to cheer on the Warriors as they strive for excellence both on and off the field!

Photo Credits in this newsletter - Luke Winters - all of the pictures (and hundreds more) used in this edition can be found on Luke's website (lukewintersphotography.com).

A standout on and off the tennis court, Kemper Brown (left) has combined academic excellence with athletic achievement during his time at Western Albemarle. Kemper has earned academic awards in AP United States History and AP Microeconomics, and scored 5s on AP Chemistry, Calculus AB, Microeconomics, and Macroeconomics—a testament to his intellectual drive and discipline.

In addition to his success in the classroom and on the court, Kemper is an advanced piano player, having played since the age of six, showcasing his commitment to mastering both arts and athletics.

Kemper also gives back to the community through a volunteer internship with the Fountain Fund in Charlottesville, where he dedicates time twice a week supporting efforts to provide second chances for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system.

When reflecting on those who’ve influenced his journey, Kemper extends his gratitude to former tennis coach Randy Hudgins, thanking him for the work he poured into building the WAHS boys tennis program.

His favorite athletic memory came on the biggest stage—winning the final tiebreaker in his state finals match, setting the stage for Western to clinch the team state championship shortly after. It was a moment of grit, pressure, and ultimate triumph that he’ll never forget.

Jackson Smith (right), has been a steady contributor to the Western Albemarle tennis program while excelling in the classroom. He has consistently earned a place on the Honor Roll and is a proud member of the National Honor Society, reflecting his commitment to academic excellence.

Jackson is also an active and engaged member of the community. He has volunteered with Samaritan’s Purse, PACEM, the Piedmont Botanical Gardens, and participated in numerous community service projects around Albemarle County, always ready to lend a helping hand and make a positive impact.

He credits his parents as his greatest supporters, saying, “I’d like to thank my parents for encouraging me and supporting me throughout the time that I’ve played tennis.”

One of Jackson’s favorite memories came in a hard-fought battle against a rival: his comeback victory over Albemarle last year after trailing 4-6. It was a moment of perseverance and pride that defined his competitive spirit. Jackson draws inspiration from a favorite quote by Rocky Balboa: “Going in one more round when you don’t think you can. That’s what makes all the difference in your life.”

A true example of determination, teamwork, and service, Kemper and Jackson have made their marks at WAHS both on and off the court.

Caroline Grist has exemplified leadership, service, and determination throughout her time at Western Albemarle High School. As a standout midfielder, Caroline brings hustle and heart to every game—and she brings that same energy to her many pursuits off the field.

Caroline’s resume reads like that of a seasoned changemaker. She has interned for Delegate Amy Laufer during the Virginia General Assembly session, contributing to meaningful legislation on gun safety and transportation equity. As an assistant to Charlottesville Mayor Juandiego Wade, she attended city council meetings, wrote speeches, and amplified youth voices in local government.

At WAHS, Caroline is the founder and president of the League of Women Voters Club, where she has registered over 40 students to vote, trained election pages, and led civic engagement initiatives. She also serves as President of the National Honor Society, connecting members to new opportunities and leading with purpose.

Caroline is deeply committed to service: she has volunteered with the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) to promote violence prevention, helped job-seeking Virginians at the Albemarle County Career Center, and spent four summers as a camp counselor at Blue Ridge Field Camp, helping shape the lives of hundreds of children.

Her parents have been her biggest supporters throughout her athletic and academic journey. Before every game, Caroline makes sure to wear her lucky socks on the bus—a small tradition that keeps her grounded and focused. Her favorite memory was the quiet joy of a late-night bus ride home from Salem sophomore year, when just ten teammates shared stories and laughs the whole way back.

Caroline’s favorite quote captures the empathy that drives her: "Be the person for others that you would want for yourself."

Whether she's on the field, in the halls of government, or mentoring the next generation, Caroline Grist leads with integrity, passion, and purpose.

Baseball: April 1st - JACK PARKINS THROWS A ONE-HITTER AS WARRIORS VARSITY BASEBALL BEATS WOODBERRY FOREST 10-0. Parkins had a perfect game going with one out in the 5th inning until Woodberry’s pinch hitter singled to right. He struck out 10 and threw only 64 pitches. Western had a huge 1st inning scoring 9 runs with 7 different Warriors getting a hit. Parkins distinguished himself in the 1st by getting 2 sacrifices; one a bunt and the other a sac fly. Jay Miller and Matthew Lapinski had 2 hits each while Jack Connelly and Will Huffmeyer had 2 RBIs each.

The Varsity Baseball team returns from Spring Break with a 2-2 overall record and is ready to hit the ground running as the season heats up. Meanwhile, the JV Baseball team is off to a red-hot start, boasting a perfect 4-0 record and showing serious promise on the diamond. Big things are ahead for both squads!

Crew: The WAHS crew team started their season this past weekend with a great showing, placing first in every event entered. In addition to the 7 first place finishes, the team also brought home 3 second place and 1 third place. Congratulations, WAHS crew!

Boys Lacrosse: The Boys Varsity Lacrosse team is off to a hot 2-0 start, dominating one matchup and grinding out a thrilling close win in the other. JV is also rolling, opening their season with a strong 1-0 record. With momentum building, both squads are gearing up for a challenging stretch as they dive into the heart of their schedule.

Girls Lacrosse: The two-time defending state champion Girls Varsity Lacrosse team is off to a strong start at 2-0 overall and now enters an incredibly competitive stretch of games against some of the top programs in Virginia. Meanwhile, the Girls JV Lacrosse team is making a statement of its own, starting the season with an impressive 3-0 record. Both squads are showing they’re ready for the challenges ahead!

Soccer (Boys): Both the Boys JV and Varsity Soccer teams are 1-1 to start the season and will resume their game schedules next week. With solid early performances, both squads are looking to build momentum as they head into the heart of their spring campaigns.

Soccer (Girls): Girls JV Soccer is off to a strong 2-1 start, showing great energy and teamwork early in the season. Varsity, now 1-2, has battled through a challenging opening slate against top-tier competition and is poised to hit their stride as the season unfolds. Both teams are gaining momentum and ready to make some noise this spring!

Softball: The Varsity Softball team is on fire, heading out of Spring Break with a perfect 4-0 record after dominating Rocktown and pulling off a pair of thrilling come-from-behind wins against Spotswood. The JV squad is also off to a strong start, sitting at 2-1 overall and showing plenty of promise for the rest of the season. Both teams are bringing the heat this spring!

Tennis (Boys): The seven-time defending state champion Boys Tennis team is picking up right where they left off, opening the season with a dominant 2-0 start. With championship pedigree and talent across the lineup, the Warriors are once again serving notice that they’re the team to beat this spring.

Tennis (Girls): The Girls Tennis team kicked off their season in style with a dominant 9-0 sweep over Louisa. With a light early schedule behind them, the team now gears up for a busy stretch of matches as they dive into the heart of their season. Momentum is building, and the Warriors are ready to make some noise on the courts!

No Games Scheduled

TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH

THURSDAY, APRIL 10TH

Home

Softball: Varsity - 6:30pm vs. Hanover

Away

Tennis: Girls Varsity - 5:00PM @ Maggie Walker

FRIDAY, APRIL 11TH

Away

Lacrosse: Boys Varsity - 5:15PM @ Meridian

Lacrosse: Girls Varsity - 7:15PM @ Meridian

SATURDAY, APRIL 12th

Away

Boys & Girls Track - 10:30AM @ Louisa

April 24TH - Senior 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: April 24th
  Time: 8:00AM Start (Please arrive early)
  Location: WAHS Main Gym

  Athletes Participating: Please fill out this form if you are a senior who plans to participate in college athletics and will attend this event

We’re proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of our Western Albemarle athletes who earned All-State honors in the Winter Sport Season. Their hard work, dedication, and talent have not only made an impact on our community but have also been acknowledged at the highest level across Virginia. Congratulations to these Warriors for representing WAHS with excellence!

Basketball: 1st Team - Emma Schmitz / 2nd Team - Jack Castner

Indoor Track: Anders Felts, Raina Fitzwater, Jordan Henderson, Julia Hill, Maddie Hill, Lilly Jamison,

Hery Kimbrough, Camille Love, Nathan Peterson, Connor Rittenhouse, Henry Rowland, Emmy Williams

Swim & Dive: Charlie Alexander, Meghan Ayres, Sam Bledsoe, Jacob Cohen, Zach Fisher, Genevieve Hathaway, Jack Hathaway, Allison Ma, Lucy Nicholson, Eliza Osada, Cate Pearson, Lily Phillips,

Eli Rutherford, Elinor James Smith, Harper Stone, Molly Streit, Ben Tungate, Richard Wang

Warrior fans, we are incredibly fortunate to have a group of talented photographers who capture the excitement, energy, and dedication of our student-athletes. Their images (like the one of Jack Hathway swimming breaststroke shot by Luke Winters) not only showcase the hard work and passion in the pool, on the field, court, and track but also provide lasting memories for athletes, families, and fans.

These photographers generously share their work, making photos available for viewing and downloading. We encourage our community to check out their incredible galleries and show appreciation for their efforts.

Thank you to all who contribute their time and talent to documenting the Warrior athletic experience!

WAHS Sports Photography

Ron Wade of Crozet Gazette

Luke Winters Photography

Emmy Franklin Photography

Kai Fusco Photography

Scrimmage Play

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!