College Corner: Loudoun County Grad Showalter Joins Liberty Track and Field Program from CNU

College Corner with Dan Sousa

(July 4, 2013) - Loudoun County High School grad Josh Showalter has transferred from Christopher Newport University to Liberty University, according to the Flames track and field program.

Showalter joins the Liberty distance squad after spending his freshman season at CNU. He was named USA South Rookie of the Year after placing third at the USA South Cross Country Championship. The 2013 Mason-Dixon Conference indoor 5K runner-up notched track times of 9:38.30 in the steeplechase and 15:36.69 in the 5K. Showalter clocked a 9:33.53 in the 3,200 as a senior at Loudoun County High School in 2012. He also helped his team finish third at the Virginia Group AA state cross country meet in 2010 and fourth in 2011.

Graduation 2013: Loudoun County - Raider Grads Told 'Don't Worry About Your Future'

This  is the 6th part of a Viva Loudoun 18-part Graduation 2013 series with a detailed look at the graduations at all the Loudoun County Public Schools high schools and programs.

(July 3, 2013) - "I would personally like to thank you for all you have done for Loudoun County High School over the past four years,” said Loudoun County High School Principal William E. Oblas as he addressed the Class of 2013 at its graduation ceremony June 10th.

Spring Sports: State Semifinal Schedules for Loudoun Schools *Updated Again*

(June 8, 2013) - Updated dates for VHSL state semifinals for Loudoun schools and athletes:

Saturday, June 8
AAA at Westfield High School
Softball
Stone Bridge vs. Cosby, 4 p.m.

AA at Radford
Baseball
Woodgrove vs. Tunstall, 7 p.m. at Calfee Park, Pulaski

Softball
Woodgrove vs. Fort Defiance, 4 p.m.

Boys Soccer
Briar Woods vs. E.C. Glass, noon
Tuscarora vs. Blacksburg, 2 p.m.

Girls Soccer
Briar Woods vs. Blacksburg, 4 p.m.
Woodgrove vs. Salem, 6 p.m.

Track and Field: AA State Meet Complete Results - Loudoun County Boys Take 3rd; LC's Joseph, BW's Polk Double Winners

(June 6, 2013) - The Loudoun County High School boys track and field team capped a great season with a third place finish at last weekend's VHSL AA state track and field meet at Harrisonburg High School.

Loudoun had two double winners with Briar Woods sophomore Brandon Polk winning the 100 meters (11.09) and the 200 meters (22.50). Meanwhile, Loudoun County senior Patrick Joseph finished an amazing career winning the 800 meters (1:53.86) and the 1600 meters (4:18.09).

Another Raider senior ending a great run was Steven Graham, who captured the 400 meters with a 48.34 and was 4th in 200 meters at 22.96. It was a 1-2-3 local finish in that 400 as Dominion senior Garrett Robinson ran 49.64 and Champe sophomore Brenden Wallace turned a 49.68.

Graham and Joseph combined with junior Nolan Graves and sophomore Michael Durrer to take 2nd in the 4x400 relay at 3:23.60.

In the 4x800 relay, Tuscarora (junior Michael Nerantzis, JR John Dooney, SR Logan Feierbach, JR Logan Carrington) was third at 8:05.59 and Potomac Falls (JR Kevin Ryan, SO Chris Galloway, JR Brandon Lathrop, SR Jordan Ferbrache) finished 5th at 8:11.82

Carrington was 6th in the 800 meters at 1:56.74. In the 1600, Briar Woods junior Ryan Hughes was 7th at 4:24.88  and Dominion junior Trent Lancaster was 8th at 4:25.36.

Loudoun Valley freshman Andrew Hunter was 8th in the 3200 at 9:40.59.

In the 300 meter hurdles, Loudoun Valley senior Phillip Sherrod was 4th at 40.60 and Potomac Falls' Tommy Fort finished 5th at 40.72.

Tuscarora senior Brandon Chirinos was 5th in the discus with a throw of 149-00.

On the girls side:

• Loudoun Valley freshman Alexis Randall was 8th in the 400 meters with at 59.33
• Woodgrove freshman Emma Gillies was 5th in the 800 meters at 2:21.79
• Potomac Falls senior Eileen Fauteux was 2nd in the 300 meter hurdles at 44.72
• Tuscarora senior Takiea Edmonds was 5th in the 300 meter hurdles at 47.00
• Heritage High 4x100 relay (JR Maia Llewellyn, SR Anna Rich, JR Whitney Amo, JR Ashley Gregory) was 8th at 50.41
• Woodgrove 4x800 relay (FR Jeela Fesharaki, SR Alex Juzbasich, FR Emma Gillies, SR Mariah Quintero) was 5th in 9:50.82
• Tuscarora 4x800 relay (JR Colleen Heberle, SO Anna Wasko, SR Jeanna Mazaris, JR Courtney Walker) was 6th 9:53.20
• Heritage senior Courtney Glover was 8th in the high jump at 5-02

Girls Soccer: Region II Bracket - 3 Dulles District Teams in Quarterfinals

(May 28, 2013) - The Region II girls soccer quarterfinals feature three Dulles District teams in ction tonight with Briar Woods hosting Charlottesville, Woodgrove at Western Albemarle and Tuscarora at Kettle Run.

Girls Soccer Region II 2013 Tournament
First Round - Monday, May 27
Woodgrove 6, Loudoun County 2
Tuscarora 4, Sherando 0

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, May 28
Woodgrove 5, Western Albemarle 1
Fauquier 4, Millbrook 3
Tuscarora 1, Kettle Run 0 (OT)
Briar Woods 2, Charlottesville 0

Semifinals at high seed - Thursday, May 30
Woodgrove at Fauquier, 6 p.m.
Tuscarora at Briar Woods, 8 p.m.

Finals at high seed - Friday, May 31

Softball: Region II Bracket - Loudoun County and Woodgrove Collide in Quarterfinals

(May 28, 2013) - The Region II softball quarterfinals are set and Dulles District foes Loudoun County and Woodgrove will tangle tonight in the quarterfinals in Purcellville. Briar Woods will be on the road at Skyline.

2013 Region II Softball Tournament
First Round - Monday, May 27
Warren County 3, Loudoun Valley 2
Loudoun County 3, James Wood 1

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, May 28
Powhatan 3, Warren County 2
Skyline 3, Briar Woods 2
Woodgrove 5, Loudoun County 3
Fauquier 1, Fluvanna 0

Semifinals - Thursday, May 30
Skyline at Powhatan, 6 p.m.
Fauquier at Woodgrove, 7 p.m.

Finals - Friday, May 31 at high seed

Track and Field: Saving the Best for Last - Loudoun County 4x400 Meter Relay Team Gives Raiders the Region II Title

(May 23, 2012) - The Loudoun County High School boys track and field team saved the best for last Wednesday as the Raiders 4x400 meter relay team sprinted to first place in the final even of the night and it was enough to move the Raiders into the top spot at the Region II meet at Fluvanna High School.

Loudoun County: Raider Nation Celebrates 20 Athletes Headed to Next Level

(May 22, 2013) - On Tuesday, Loudoun County High School continued a tradition of bringing all the college bound student athletes together for a group picture. The Class of 2013 set an all time mark with 20 student athletes moving on to continue their careers and educations at the collegiate level.

Front Row: (Left to Right):
Steven Graham (Radford University: Track)
Caitlin McNicholl (VCU: Track)
Haley Knudsen (Old Dominion, Lax)
Kiley Jacobus (Alderson Broaddus, Softball)
Rachel Roberts (Shenandoah, Volleyball)
Taylor Huewe (Towson University, Volleyball)
Quinn O'Connell (Merchant Marine Academy, Volleyball)
Logan Smith (Ferrum, Wrestling)

Back Row:
Michael Anderson (Marymount, Basketball)
Jake Lokey (Shippensburg, Football)
Brad Szoka (James Madison, Football)
Ethan Carlyon (Denison, Baseball)
Erik Larson (Mercy College, Lax)
Trey Taylor (Alderson Broaddus, Football)
Isiah Jackson (Ferrum, Football)
Tyler Pratt (Shepherd, Football)
Nick Anthony (Bridgewater, Football)
Patrick Joseph (Virginia Tech, Track and Cross Country)

Not pictured:
Deron Davis (Shenandoah-Football)
Josh Martin (St. Andrews College, Baseball)

Softball: Woodgrove JR Rachel Harris Named Dulles District Player of the Year; Loudoun County SR Kiley Jacobus Named Pitcher of the Year

(May 21, 2013) - Woodgrove High School junior catcher Rachel Harris, who helped the Wolverines to the Dulles District regular-season softball title, was named the district's Player of the Year, and Loudoun County 4-year starter Kiley Jacobus was named the Pitcher of the Year in a vote of the district's coaches Monday night.

Loudoun Valley's Kristin Thurston, who helped the Vikings to a top four finish, was named the Coach of the Year.

2013 Dulles District Softball Team
First Team
Infielders
Jordan Counts, Briar Woods, Jr.
Victoria Wright, Dominion, Jr.
Brittany Platt, Loudoun County, Jr.
Alayna Furr, Woodgrove, Sr.
Outfielders
Lynn Brantley, Briar Woods, Sr.
Ashley Cole, Woodgrove, Sr.
Mackenzie Moler, Woodgrove, Sr.
Tiffany Barndt, Potomac Falls, Jr.
Catcher
Rachel Harris, Woodgrove, Jr.
Pitchers
Kiley Jacobus, Loudoun County, Sr.
Jazmyn Rohrer, Woodgrove, Jr.
Designated Player
Claire Dietrich, Tuscarora, Jr.
Players at Large
Maria Latimer, Tuscarora, Sr.
Delany Turner, Loudoun County, Soph.

Player of the Year: Rachel Harris, Woodgrove, Jr. 
Pitcher of the Year: Kiley Jacobus, Loudoun County, Sr. 
Coach of the Year: Kristin Thurston, Loudoun Valley

Second Team

Girls Soccer: Loudoun County Sophomore Emily Littell Named Dulles District Player of the Year

(May 21, 2013) - Loudoun County High School sophomore Emily Littell has been named the Dulles District girls soccer Player of the Year in a vote of the district's coaches on Monday. Briar Woods's Ann Vierkorn, who led the Falcons to the regular-season title, has been named the Coach of the Year.

Littell's pick as Player of the Year highlighted a youth movement in the district with just 8 seniors among the 22 all-district selections. On the boys side, in comparison, 16 of the picks were seniors.

Dulles District Girls Soccer 2013 Team
First Team
Brittany Basinger (SR)  Woodgrove HS
Elysse Branton (JR)   Dominion HS
Kaleigh Chiodini (SR)  Briar Woods HS
Abby Downey (JR)   Tuscarora HS
Sarah Hardison (SR)  Woodgrove HS
Annie Hartman (SR)  Tuscarora HS
Emily Littell (SO)  Loudoun County HS
Breanna Mitchell (FR)  Dominion HS
Natalie Perussault (JR) Heritage HS
McKensey Ziegler (JR)   Briar Woods HS
Goalie: Maggie Buxton (SR)  Woodgrove HS

Second Team

Lacrosse: Loudoun Teams Sweep Into Sectional Semifinals

Corley Simons and the Loudoun Valley girls lacrosse team advanced

(May 21, 2013) - Last year the AA Northern Sectional finals was an all-Loudoun affair and this year is shaping up to be a repeat as four local teams won first round games Monday night to advance to the sectional semifinals Wednesday.

The Woodgrove boys went on the road for a 15-4 win at Culpeper and the Tuscarora girls made the bus trip to Fauquier worth their it with a 23-16 victory. Here at home, a pair of all-Dulles District first games saw the home teams prevail with the Dominion boys tripling up on Briar Woods, 15-5, and the Loudoun Valley girls doubling Loudoun County, 20-10.

The Woodgrove boys and Tuscarora girls now have to face the Dulles District regular-season and tournament champions in the semifinals: the Loudoun County boys and Woodgrove girls. The winner of those semifinals will clinch a state bid and advance to the sectional finals.

The Dominion boys will be on the road at Fauquier and the Loudoun Valley girls will be at Kettle Run in the other semifinals.

Boys Lax: Woodgrove 15, Culpeper 4
Wolverine fans were "Loving" their team's play Monday with Jack Loving scoring six goals with three assists in the runaway. Jeremy Kendall dished out five assists and Ryan Reynolds had nine saves in goal.

Other goals from Woodgrove came from: Kyle Reilly (2), Sam Weber (2), Conner Loving (1), Kellen McCarthy (1), Matt Sears (1) and Trey Rustand (1). Assists were recorded by: Kellen McCarthy (1) and Kyle Reilly (1).

Girls Lax: Loudoun Valley 20, Loudoun County 10
It was just 5-3 at the half before the Vikings exploded for 15 second-half goals to advance to the sectional semifinals. Junior Corley Simons led the way with six goals for Valley while a host of players had hat tricks including senior Megan Williamson, sophomore Maya Ebrahimnejad, junior Ashlyn DiLoreto and junior Courtney Schollian.

Sophomore Haley Shuford had 12 saves in goal for the Vikes.

A key to the strong second half was the draw control by Simons and Ebrahimnejad's dominance on ground balls.

Also scoring for Valley were junior Sarah Ashworth and sophomore Lily Hamilton. Assists were recorded by Ashworth (2), Williamson (1), and Ebrahimnejad (1).

Tennis: Region II Boys and Girls Team Tournament Brackets - Dulles Teams Ace Quarterfinals

(May 20, 2013) - The Region II boys and girls team tennis tournaments got underway Monday with quarterfinal action, and Dulles District teams fared well with the Loudoun County boys knocking off perennial power Western Albemarle on the road, 5-1, and the Briar Woods boys blanked Powhatan, 5-0, at home.

The Dominion girls beat Kettle Run, 5-1, at home to advance also.

Boys Tennis
Region II quarterfinals
Briar Woods def. Powhatan, 5-0
Sherando at Fauquier
Kettle Run at Handley
Loudoun County def. Western Albemarle, 5-1

Girls Tennis
Region II quarterfinals
Briar Woods at Fauquier
Monticello at Handley
Skyline at Western Albemarle
Dominion def. Kettle Run, 5-1

Lacrosse: AA Northern Sectional Starts Tonight

(May 20, 2013) - The AA Northern Sectional boys and girls lacrosse tournament starts tonight and some of the match-ups may look familiar to Dulles District fans as the Dominion High School boys host Briar Woods and the Loudoun Valley girls host Loudoun County.

In the other two first round games, the Woodgrove boys are at Culpeper and the Tuscarora girls are at Fauquier. On the boys side, Loudoun County and Fauquier have byes and on the girls side, Woodgrove and Kettle Run have byes.

Boys Lacrosse

AA Northern Sectional First Round

Briar Woods at Dominion

Woodgrove at Culpeper

Girls Lacrosse

AA Northern Sectional First Round

Loudoun County at Loudoun Valley

Tuscarora at Fauquier

Girls Volleyball: Loudoun County's Taylor Borup and Briar Woods' Lauren Twitty Make JVA National Watch List

Taylor Borup

Lauren Twitty

(May 20, 2013) - The Junior Volleyball Association 2013 Watch List includes just 26 girls nationally for the age 15s group and two of them are freshman in Loudoun -- Briar Woods High School's Lauren Twitty and Loudoun County's Taylor Borup.

Borup plays for the Northern Virginia Volleyball Association and is already a verbal commitment to play in college at the University of North Carolina. Twitty is a 6-foot-1 outside hitter that plays for Virginia Elite.

Baseball: Hopeck Throws 1-Hitter as Pride Knock off Raiders, 10-0, in Dulles District Quarterfinals

Zack Hopeck fired a 1-hitter Friday (photo courtesy Susie Howard)

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern
 Leesburg (May 17, 2013) – On a night full of extra innings in the Dulles District, the Heritage Pride, backed by a Zack Hopeck one-hit shutout, knocked off their crosstown rival Raiders 10-0 in a shortened five inning game.

“It was typical Hopeck,” Heritage coach Ryan Price said. “He was commanding the zone, keeping his pitch counts down, getting ahead of hitters and making them take defensive swings. He gave our defense all the opportunities to make plays behind him.”

Boys Lacrosse: Loudoun County's Defense Steps Up Late as Unbeaten Raiders Gather First Ever Dulles District Tournament Title with 7-6 Win Over Dominion

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern

Leesburg (May 15, 2013) – With just under two minutes to play, the Loudoun County High School boys’ lacrosse team made the most of a set of screens in front of the net as senior midfielder Jacob Averys sent a shot cruising into the back of the net to take a 7-6 lead over the Dominion Titans in the Dulles District Tournament championship game.

Averys’ goal would be the decider as the Raiders’ defense stepped up late en route to Loudoun County’s first ever district tournament championship, capping off an undefeated 11-0 run in the Dulles District -- an 8-0 regular season run followed by three tournament wins.

Tennis: Loudoun County's Jack McLister, Alexa Kling Take Dulles District Singles Titles; Freedom Boys Advance to Northwest Region Team Semifinals

Loudoun County's Jack McLister and Alexa Kling are all smiles after winning Dulles District tennis Singles titles Monday. Each will now advance to the Region II tournament. (photo courtesy LCHS athletics)

(May 14, 2013) - Loudoun County High School sophomore Jack McLister and freshman Alexa Kling each won Dulles District tennis tournament singles titles on Monday.

McLister defeated Jake Stapleton of Dominion, 6-4, 6-2 in the finals and Kling defeated Dominique Huynh of Dominion, 6-3, 6-1 in the other finals.

The doubles tournament took place today. Last week the team tournament was held with Briar Woods sweeping both the boys and girls tournaments. The Falcons beat the regular-season champion Dominion Titans in the girls finals and in the boys finals it was the Falcons over Loudoun County.

Freedom One Win Away from AAA States

The Freedom High School boys tennis team continued its postseason run with a 5-1 win at Osbourn Park on Monday to move into the Northwest Region team tennis semifinals. The Eagles are one win away from making it to the AAA state tournament. They travel to Roanoke on Wednesday to face Western Valley District champion Patrick Henry.

Broad Run, the Cedar Run District regular-season boys champion, saw its season end with a tough 5-4 loss at home to Colonial Forge, which now faces Albemarle in the other semi Wednesday.

The Freedom girls had their excellent season end with a 5-1 loss to Franklin County.

Tennis: Briar Woods, Loudoun County Advance to Today's Dulles Finals; Dominion Girls to Host Briar Woods/Tuscarora Winner

(May 10, 2013) - Dulles District regular-season boys tennis champion Briar Woods remained on unbeaten on the season with a 5-0 win over Dominion Thursday in the district tournament semifinals. The Falcons (16-0) will host Loudoun County (15-1) at 3 p.m. in the finals.

The Raiders lone loss on the season was on April 25 to the Falcons, 6-3.

In the girls tournament, regular-season champion Dominion (16-1) defeated Loudoun County, 5-0, to advance to today's finals. The Titans will host the winner of Briar Woods (11-4) vs. Tuscarora (14-2) at 3 p.m. Those two teams were locked at 4-4 yesterday when their match was called due to weather. They took to the courts today at 1 p.m. to finish the No. 3 doubles match to determine which team advances.

Dulles District Boys team semifinals

Loudoun County 5, Dominion 0
Briar Woods 6, Loudoun Valley 0

Dulles District Girls team semifinals

Dominion 5, Loudoun County 0
Briar Woods 4, Tuscarora 4 SUSP (resume 1 p.m. at Dominon HS)

Loudoun County: Graham to Run Track at Radford; Pratt Changes Football Choice to Shepherd

(May 9, 2013) - Loudoun County High School senior track standout Steven Graham will run next year at Radford University.

Graham is the two-time reigning VHSL AA state champion in the 400 meters, having run a  49.01 in the 2012 state meet and 49.55 in 2011. He also ran on the Raiders 4x400 relay team that finished third last season and was a member of the Raiders state title 4x800 relay team in 2011.

Boys Lacrosse: Loudoun County Boys Build Undefeated Run on Defense

(May 7, 2013) - The Loudoun County High School boys lacrosse team earned the school's first ever Dulles District championship with a perfect 10-0 district run and 13-0 regular-season record built on a defense that allowed just an average of 3.3 goals per contest.

The Raiders three closest contests of the year were a 15-7 win over Dominion on April 9, a 6-5 squeaker over Woodgrove on Thursday and a 8-4 win over Loudoun Valley last night.

County becomes the first team outside of Ashburn to claim the regular season boys lacrosse title since 2008 when Heritage and George Mason shared a tri-championship with Broad Run.

Dulles District Boys Lacrosse
Regular Season Champions
2013 - Loudoun County
2012 - Briar Woods
2011 - Briar Woods
2010 - Broad Run
2009 - Broad Run
2008 - Broad Run, George Mason and Heritage (tie)
2007 - Broad Run
2006 - Broad Run
2005 - Loudoun Valley
2004 - Loudoun Valley
2003 - Stone Bridge
2002 - Loudoun Valley

Loudoun County Boys Lacrosse
2013 Regular Season: Perfection