WAHS ATHLETICS

We hope this message finds you safe, warm, and ready to dive back into the excitement of Warrior athletics after an extended holiday break due to the recent snowstorm. While the weather may have disrupted our schedules, it didn’t dampen the dedication and determination of our student-athletes, who have been working hard to prepare for a thrilling winter season.

In this edition, we’ll catch you up on all the action you might have missed and share highlights from our teams, athletes, and community. From impressive performances and upcoming matchups to stories of resilience and teamwork, there’s plenty to celebrate as we embrace the new year.

Thank you for your continued support of Western Albemarle Athletics. Bundle up, stay safe, and let’s cheer on our Warriors as they continue to make us proud. Go Warriors!

Photo Credit: Luke Winters (@luke_winters)

Photo by Luke Winters

Kate Voelmle has been a dedicated member of Western Albemarle’s varsity basketball team for the past four years. Off the court, she excels academically as a member of both the English and Science Honor Societies. Kate also gives back to the community through her volunteer work at Camp Holiday Trails, assisting with horseback riding activities.

Kate’s basketball accomplishments include being named to the All-District 2nd Team as a sophomore, 1st Team All-District as a junior, and 2nd Team All-Region as a junior. Her motto, “It will never be perfect, make it work,” reflects her perseverance and determination both on and off the court.

A true team player, Kate treasures the pre-game ritual of gathering in a circle with her teammates to share their goals for each game. Her favorite memory is the unforgettable energy during the double-header games against Albemarle in her junior year, a night filled with excitement and unity among players and students alike.

Kate would like to thank her coaches for their tireless dedication, whether rebounding during practices or creating highlight tapes, and her parents for their selfless sacrifices that have provided her with countless opportunities.

Caroline Pearson (on right) has been an integral part of Western Albemarle’s track and field program for the past five years. Beyond athletics, she is a member of the National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, and the National Art Honor Society, and she serves as co-president of the Fashion Sustainability Club.

Caroline dedicates her time to helping others as a volunteer counselor at Girl Scout Camp, where she spends a week each summer contributing 60-70 hours to enriching campers' experiences.

She would like to thank her coaches and family for supporting her through injuries and helping her return stronger each time. Caroline’s meet-day traditions include driving with friends while listening to a special playlist, always finishing with the same song upon arrival. She also sports a lucky hairstyle for good fortune on race day.

Her favorite memory is from the 2024 outdoor state championships, where she competed in the 4x100 relay. Surrounded by her teammates throughout the day, Caroline cherished the camaraderie and teamwork that led to a 2nd place finish.

Wrestling Update

The Western Albemarle wrestling team showcased their talent and grit during the holiday break, competing in two highly competitive invitationals. At the 22nd Annual Turner Ashby Holiday Tournament, the Warriors secured an impressive 7th-place finish out of 20 teams. Leading the charge were Cole McGinty and Owen Townsend, who claimed individual championships in their respective weight classes. Ian Marshall finished in 4th place, while Will Grisdale took 5th. Isaac DeVito and Nick Thomas earned 6th-place honors, and Patrick Mateja rounded out the strong showing with a 7th-place finish.

The team carried their momentum into the 2024 Pioneer Takedown the New Year Invitational, where they finished 6th out of 26 teams. Owen Townsend (pictured) continued his dominance, capturing another individual championship. Cole McGinty secured a 2nd-place finish, and Quinn Fusco claimed 3rd in his weight class. Will Grisdale also contributed to the team’s success with a 4th-place finish. With multiple wrestlers excelling on the mat, Western Albemarle continues to prove itself as a strong contender in the region.

Western Albemarle Girls Basketball

The Western Albemarle girls' basketball team has been unstoppable since the holiday break, stringing together four impressive wins. The Warriors opened with a commanding 67-29 victory over Albemarle, led by Emma Schmitz's stellar 26 points, 5 assists, and 7 steals. Taylor Florin contributed a well-rounded performance with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 4 blocks, while Kate Voelmle and Maggie Camblos added crucial support. They followed up with a hard-fought 51-45 win against Freedom in the ACAC Holiday Game, with Schmitz scoring 23 points and Maggie Camblos and Taylor Florin making key contributions on both ends of the court.

The momentum continued with a dominant 58-32 victory over Chancellor, as Schmitz shone again with 24 points, 6 steals, and 3 assists. Laveah Strickler's 9 rebounds and Maggie Camblos' 9 points added depth to the team's effort. The Warriors capped off the streak with a 65-51 triumph over Harrisonburg, highlighted by Maggie Camblos' career-high 22 points and Taylor Florin's 20-point performance. Emma Schmitz showcased her playmaking skills with 8 assists and 5 blocks, while Kate Voelmle contributed 11 points and 5 assists. With strong team chemistry and standout individual performances, Western remains a formidable force heading into the new year.

Swim & Dive Team Update

The Western Albemarle swim teams made a splash at the Hanover Invitational, finishing an impressive 2nd place overall out of 26 teams, just behind Freeman High School. The meet was highlighted by school record-breaking swims from Meghan Ayres (200 IM, 500 Free), Jack Hathaway (100 Breast), Brayden King (500 Free), and Lily Phillips (50 Free), as well as new Girls Relay records in the 200 Medley Relay (Lily Phillips, Meghan Ayres, Eliza Osada, Gigi Hathaway) and 400 Freestyle Relay (Eliza Osada, Lily Phillips, Meghan Ayres, Lucy Nicholson). Several swimmers achieved top 10 times in Western history, and an outstanding 21 athletes earned state-qualifying cuts across multiple events. Adding to the excitement, Western was honored with the Most Spirited Award, a testament to the incredible energy and support of our swimmers, parents, and fans. Congratulations to all, and let’s carry this momentum into the rest of the season!

Boys Basketball Update

The Western Albemarle boys' basketball team had an eventful holiday breek, highlighted by strong individual performances and a deep team effort. The Warriors started with a dramatic 59-57 overtime victory over cross-town rival Albemarle, led by Jack Castner’s 22 points, Aaron Rochman’s 14, and Jake Jeronimus’ dominance in the paint with 8 points. The following night, the team earned a 66-56 win against Millbrook behind Castner’s 28 points, Jeronimus’ 16, and a steady 10-point contribution from point guard Sam Seaborn.

The Warriors then took their talents to the ACAC Holiday Classic, opening with a commanding 66-35 win over Western Branch, fueled by a balanced attack from Seaborn (14 points), Castner (12), and Davis Winters (9). They continued their momentum in the second round, overcoming a 9-point halftime deficit and a 6-point fourth-quarter gap to defeat Freedom-South Riding 63-51 in overtime. Seaborn delivered a stellar 25-point performance, while Castner added 14. In the championship game against Mills Godwin, Western battled back from a 14-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter to force overtime but ultimately fell 54-51 in a valiant effort. Castner led the way with 17 points, with Seaborn and Dillon Bergert adding 10 and 8 points, respectively. The team's grit and determination throughout the holiday period demonstrated their ability to compete at a high level in any situation.

A heartfelt thank-you to all the incredible faculty and staff who helped make the ACAC Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament a resounding success! Your dedication, time, and hard work ensured the event ran smoothly and created an unforgettable experience for athletes, coaches, and fans alike. From ticket sales and concessions to game operations and team hospitality, your efforts made all the difference.

A special thank-you to ACAC for taking over as the tournament sponsor this year. Your generous support and commitment to our community athletics were instrumental in elevating this event to new heights. We are so grateful for your partnership and look forward to continuing this fantastic tradition together in the years to come!

Rescheduled events:

• The JV & Varsity Boys (Away) and Girls (Home) Basketball games against Fluvanna that were scheduled for Tuesday, January 7th, have been rescheduled for Monday, February 3rd.
• The Scholastic Bowl match that was scheduled for January 8th at Charlottesville High School has been rescheduled for Monday (1/13/25) at 6:00PM.
• The Wrestling match against Charlottesville that was scheduled for Wednesday, January 8th, has been rescheduled to January 27th.
• The Ben Hair Swim Meet that was scheduled for Wednesday, January 8th, has been rescheduled to Thursday, January 9th at UVA.
• The Boys 9th Grade Basketball game that was scheduled for Thursday, Jauary 9th, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, January 21st (@ WAHS)
• The Girls JV Basketball game that was scheduled for Thursday, January 9th, has been rescheduled for Friday, January 10th @ 7:00PM at Monticello (Back gym)
• The Boys JV Basketball game that was scheduled for Thursday, January 9th, has been rescheduled for Friday, January 10th @ 5:30PM at Monticello (Back gym)

Still TBD - JV & Varsity Boys Basketball games scheduled for Wednesday, January 8th at Rocktown.

Upcoming Events (dependent on weather):

Friday, January 10th @ 6:00PM (@Monticello)

• Girls Varsity Basketball

Friday, January 10th @ 7:30PM (@Monticello)

• Boys Varsity Basketball

GAMES MOVED TO FEBRUARY 1ST (GIRLS AT 5:30pm / BOYS AT 7:00pm)

Saturday, January 11th

Play for Preemies Girls Basketball Event

SHOWCASE MOVED TO 1/18 - SAME SCHEDULED TIMES

Wrestling @ JR Tucker - CANCELLED

The Play for Preemies Girls Basketball Showcase is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about premature births and supporting the incredible work of neonatal care teams. All proceeds from this event benefit the UVA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital in Roanoke. These institutions provide life-saving care for premature and critically ill infants, offering hope and support to countless families.

Your generosity can make a difference! To contribute, please visit: Donations

Thank you for helping us support these vital programs and the families they serve.

Read more about the mission of the event: Play for Preemies

We are collecting information from high school athletes to ensure accurate records of varsity awards earned in the past and to identify any items that may not have been received.

Please provide detailed and accurate responses so we can address any discrepancies and ensure all awards are appropriately distributed. Your input is vital in helping us recognize your achievements and celebrate your hard work!

Google Form

If you have any questions or need assistance while completing this form, please reach out to the athletic department.

As we gear up for an exciting spring sports season, don't forget to check the out-of-season practice schedule for your team! These sessions are a great opportunity to sharpen your skills, build team chemistry, and stay in shape ahead of tryouts. Click on the link for schedules and coach contact information.

Spring sports out of season practices

IMPORTANT DETAILS! In order to participate in out of season practices, athletes must have a completed VHSL Physical Form dated after 5/1/2024 must be on file with the Athletic Department. 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. Additionally, athletes who are participating in a Winter sport for Western Albemarle High School cannot participate in the out of season workouts for another sport.

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!