WAHS ATHLETICS
September 8, 2024
As we reflect on an action-packed week, we’re proud of the effort and sportsmanship our student-athletes have shown on the field and on the court. From thrilling games to standout individual performances, Western Albemarle athletes continue to shine. Be sure to check out the highlights from last week’s events!
Looking ahead, we have an exciting lineup of upcoming games where our teams will be looking to continue their strong play. Be sure to mark your calendars and come out to cheer them on!
In addition to our regular season action, we’re thrilled to announce several upcoming athletic department events aimed at engaging our community and celebrating our student-athletes.
Finally, as we head toward the later stages of the fall season, we want to take a moment to celebrate our senior athletes. These incredible students have dedicated years of hard work and leadership to their teams, and we’re excited to honor them as they wrap up their final seasons at Western Albemarle.
Thanks for being part of our athletic community, and we look forward to another exciting week ahead!
Go Warriors!
Photo Credit: Liam Breheny
Week in Review (September 2nd - September 8th)
Golf Team Dominates in Back-to-Back Wins
The Golf Team continued its impressive run with two dominant victories this week. On Monday, the team traveled to Hermitage Golf Course and defeated Goochland 150-172. The momentum carried into Tuesday when the team put on a show, shooting a combined 8 under par to defeat Monticello 136-163. Kennedy MacCleery (combined 7 under for the two matches) and Addi Ritter (even par for the two matches) had standout performances. Brendan Stype shot a 2 under par 34 against Monticello showing off the incredible depth of talent on this team. Keep up the fantastic work, Warriors!
Field Hockey Teams Compete at Riverbend
The JV and Varsity Field Hockey teams also traveled to Riverbend High School on Tuesday. The JV team put up a strong fight in a 1-0 loss, with Bella Rhodes putting on a stellar performance in goal, making 12 saves to keep the game close.
The Varsity team came away with a 1-0 victory, thanks to a clutch goal by Yatie Stokes and an outstanding performance in net from Maizey McCarthy, who kept the shutout intact. Well done, field hockey!
Warrior Volleyball Teams Battle at Riverbend and Albemarle Invitational
The Warrior Volleyball teams traveled to Riverbend High School in Fredericksburg on Tuesday for a pair of hard-fought matches. The JV team showed great resilience, battling through three competitive sets but ultimately falling short. The Varsity team, however, fought back to win a thrilling match in five games, with Junior Ava Hardy leading the way, showcasing her hustle and fierce competitiveness.
On Saturday, the Varsity team took on some of the top teams in the state at the Albemarle Invitational. Sophomore Maddie Burnette had a standout performance showcasing her skills and determination as a key contributor to the team’s competitive play throughout the tournament. While the young squad finished the day 1-4, the experience gained from facing elite competition will undoubtedly benefit the team as the season progresses.
Football Teams Fall to Spotswood
The JV football team fought hard in a close battle against Spotswood on Wednesday night, but unfortunately came up just short. Despite the loss, the team played hard until the final whistle and showed incredible determination and teamwork on the field.
The Varsity Football team faced a tough matchup on the road against Spotswood on Friday night, falling 46-21. Quarterback Gray Heilman had a solid outing, completing 17 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown. RJ Corbey led the receiving corps with 8 catches for 61 yards, while Andrew Azzato made a big impact with 2 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Alex Lake made an electrifying play with a 57-yard interception return for a touchdown, highlighting the team’s tenacity. Despite the loss, the Warriors are determined to come back stronger next week.
This Week in WAHS Athletics
September 9th - September 15th: This week, our golf and field hockey teams are back in action, while cross country kicks off its season with the first race of the year. Let’s cheer on our athletes as they compete with determination and represent Western Albemarle with pride!
Upcoming Events
September 12th - Football, Cross County and Golf Team Photos with TSS Photography
September 16th - Athletic Advisory Council interest meeting in Western cafeteria
- Serves as a forum for families, students, and school officials to share ideas and exchange information to further advance the quality of the athletic student experience at Western.
September 27th - Night of Champions Celebration
- 2023-2024 State championship teams will be recognized at halftime of the varsity football game.
October 11th - Homecoming Football Game
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.
Athlete Wellness Initiative
We are excited to announce the launch of the Athlete Wellness Initiative at Western Albemarle High School! Organized by Mental Health Support Specialist Alanah Horning and school counselor Olivia LeMay, this program aims to provide WAHS student-athletes with essential education, awareness, and support in the areas of mental health, sleep, and eating disorder prevention. Throughout the school year, expert-led presentations will be offered, including three sessions for coaches and three for student-athletes. The first coach presentation will take place this Tuesday, September 10th. The first student-athlete presentaton will take place on Tuesday, September 24th. Stay tuned for more details!
Out of Season Practices
Please go to wahswarriors.com for out of season practice details for winter and spring sports. Also, please read the requirements in order to participate in out of season practices.
WAHS Apparel & Accessories Website
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!
Senior Spotlight
Brady Toms
(Photo Credit: Liam Breheny)
As a dedicated member of the golf team for the past two years, Brady has shown commitment both on and off the course. Balancing hard work in school with his passion for golf, he exemplifies determination and focus in everything he does. Outside of school, he gives back to the community by volunteering with the Special Olympics at Boar's Head, making a meaningful impact through his service.
He would like to express his gratitude to his mom and dad for always believing in him and supporting him in all of his endeavors.
His favorite quote is: "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take."
Brendan Stype
(Photo Credit: Liam Breheny)
Brendan Stype has been a dedicated Varsity Golf team member for the past three years. Alongside excelling on the golf course, Brendan has challenged himself academically by taking several AP and PVCC Dual Enrollment classes. His commitment to his community is evident through his volunteer work, including toy drives for Henley Middle School, food drives at Crozet Church, and coaching youth flag football. Brendan is also set to volunteer with Special Olympics of Virginia to teach golf lessons.
Before stepping onto the course, Brendan finds inspiration in watching Tiger Woods highlights, and he’s grateful for the chance to play on top-notch courses he had never experienced before. More than anything, he values the friendships and inside jokes shared with his teammates this season. He wishes to thank his parents and grandparents for their unwavering support throughout his athletic journey.
Favorite Quote: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."