College Signings: Briar Woods Celebrates Those Falcons to Play in College Next Year

(June 17, 2010) - Briar Woods High School held a celebration Monday in the school's library for those athletes from the Class of 2010 that will play in college next season.

The latest updated VivaLoudoun College Choice Chart -- 153 athletes from 2010 headed to play in college!

More on the Briar Woods athletes headed to college:

Karli Massengale has been a four year starter on the girls varsity soccer team. Not only is Karli a fierce defender but she is also a National Honor Society student with a GPA of 4.3. She received the UNSUNG HERO award her sophomore year because she was dependable, focused and consistent. This year she received the most prestigious girls soccer award...THE CORE award. This award is for the player who emulates the team's core values the most. Karli has been nothing but resilient, focused, positive, committed, and dependable.

She will be attending NYU in the fall where she'll be playing soccer. Karli is at her prime and NYU is lucky to get such an amazing student athlete to represent their program.


Briar Woods senior Kate Fowler has accepted a roster spot to play at the University of Virginia beginning next season. Fowler is the first Falcon in the program’s five-year history to commit to play at a Division I school.

Head Softball Coach Jenn Traina states, “I am so proud of Kate for her hard work over the last few years. She is our first player to play at the Division I level, and to be offered a spot at a school like the University of Virginia is a great opportunity for her."

Last season as a Junior, Fowler earned first-team All-Dulles District and second-team All-Region II honors after helping lead the Falcons to an 18-5 overall record and the program’s first-ever Dulles District Tournament championship and region playoff berth.

As a senior this season, Fowler hit .357 with three home runs to go along with 20 RBIs and 17 runs scored. She was also 6-2 with a 2.13 ERA in the circle. She helped lead the Falcons to their first-ever Dulles District regular-season title, a second straight Dulles District Tournament title, a Region II runner-up finish and the program's first state tournament appearance. Fowler was named first-team All-Dulles District and second-team All-Region.

Alex Maney was a varsity starter for boys soccer for four years. During his tenure he made 11 goals, and 14 assists, and was captain for one year. In his junior year, he made Dulles District Second Team and was named Most Valuable Player in 2009. In his senior year, he made the Dulles District First Team. Alex will be attending the U.S. Merchant Marines Academy in the fall.

Alex has been a dependable team player and has been instrumental in developing the varsity soccer program. Alex's passion, knowledge and joy of the game will be a great asset for his new team the Kings Point Mariners.

Omar Omokodian is a three year letter recipient in Track and Field for the Briar Woods track team. During his senior year, he won the District Meet in the discus, took third in the Region Meet, and took first place in all the regular season meets. In his junior year, he won the District Meet, the Region Meet, and State Meet in the discus. He has been a two year captain for the Falcons and was selected as the MVP his junior and senior year.

Omar will be attending Perdue University this fall. He will participate in the Track and Field program his freshman year with a preferred walk-on status. At the end of his first year, he will be considered for an athletic scholarship. Omar has been a tremendous asset to the Track and Field program at Briar Woods and we are quite certain that he will be a tremendous asset to the Perdue University Track an Field program.

Taren Henry is a four-year letter winner for the BWHS Track & Field team. During her senior season, Taren won the district meet, placed second at the regional meet, and placed fifth at the state meet in High Jump. She has been a two-year captain for the Falcons as well as MVP her junior year. Taren placed 8th at the district meet in 2007 and competed in the regional meet all four years. She is also a three year state competitor. Taren will be attending George Mason University in the fall. Her hard work, determination, and leadership skills will assist her as she joins the Patriots Track & Field team in August. We wish her the best of luck and continued success as a GMU student athlete.

Nick Mason is a four-year letter winner for the Falcons, and qualified for the Virginia State Swimming Championships all four years on the swim team. A team captain as a senior, Nick was named the team's Most Valuable Swimmer his senior year, and he leaves Briar Woods holding seven of the school's eight individual boy's swimming records.

Nick will be swimming for William & Mary next year."

Kelsey Atkinson is a four-year letter winner for the Falcons, and qualified for the Virginia State Swimming Championships all four of her years on the swim team. She was named the girl's Most Valuable Swimmer twice during her Briar Woods' career, and she currently holds the school record in the girl's 200 Individual Medley.

Kelsey will be swimming for Pomona College in California next year."

Logan Harris was a four-year letter winner and four-year starter at catcher for the Falcons. During his senior season, Harris finished third on the team in hitting at .345, led the team with 18 RBI, and was named 2nd Team All-Dulles District catcher.

Harris will be attending Greensboro College in the fall and will continue his baseball career with the Pride.

Jon A. Howard is a four-year varsity golf team member, finishing his senior season as the Falcons top golfer and Co-Captain. Over his four seasons, his scoring improved twenty percent, with a final season average 74 in competition. Jon also led his team to its very first under par team score in competition, shooting a two-under par 34 on his own card.

Jon was also part of the Falcons team that won first place in the 2007 District and Regional championships, and two regular season championships. Jon was named Player of the Year in 2009, and plans to play for Christopher Newport University in 2010.

Kim Bell has been a 4 year starter here at BW. During her career she has set close to all records during her 3 1/6 years of playing. She is the leading scorer with 1058 points and the top rebounder with 724. Kim was a 3 year first team Dulles District selection. Kim's accomplishment were cut short with a knee injury in the 4th game of her senior season.

Kim received a full ride to play basketball at Utah Valley University next year. Coach Morris would like to add, that Kim is even a better person and role model, than a basketball player!

Priscilla Smith was a 4 year letter winner in girls lacrosse, starting all 4 years. Priscilla is Briar Wood's second highest goal scorer of all-time and was the heart of the midfield. She was named to the All-District team her Junior and Senior years. Priscilla will be continuing her lacrosse career at Christopher Newport University, helping the Captains to more appearances in the NCAA tournament.

Andy Luhmann is a four time varsity letter winner and a three year starter for the Falcon Mens Lacrosse team. He has been named to the All Dulles District team the last two years. While at Briar Woods Andy has accumulated 135 points, scored 86 goals and had 49 assists in his career. He also scooped 147 ground balls. Next year Andy will continue his playing career and education at Frostburg State University. Coach Pearce hopes that Andy can be the cornerstone of the bobcats offense as they had into their initial campaign in the nations toughest D3 lacrosse conference.

Tavis Henry was a 3 year Letterman for the Falcons. His senior year he was 2nd team all district Center and Linebacker. Tavis was also Captain his senior year. “Coach Pierce stated that Tavis is an excellent player and always put the team first.

Tavis will continue playing at Ferrum College where he will be a long snapper and linebacker.

Billy McDonald was a 4 year letterman in football for the Falcons. Billy was 2nd team all district defensive lineman his senior year. Billy was a captain his senior year. “Coach Pierce said Billy is the strongest player to come through our program. His physical play and bruising style of play will be missed next year. Billy is planning on walking on at West Virginia.

Rioll Tanelus transferred to us from North Carolina his senior year. He started at cornered and lettered as a defensive back. “Coach Pierce said that Rioll is a hard worker and fit in and filled a much needed spot on our team.” Rioll was attend Ferrum College this Fall and will play football for the Panthers this year.