Graduation 2013: Potomac Falls - A Plea for Civility to Panther Graduates

This is the 9th 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 6, 2013) - Rosalind Wiseman issued a challenge to the Potomac Falls High School Class of 2013 during its graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 6th.

Swim: Potomac Falls Grad Matt McLean Makes 2013 FINA World Championship U.S. Roster

(July 2, 2013) - Potomac Falls High School grad Matt McLean has qualified for the 2013 FINA World Championship U.S. Roster in the 400 meter freestyle and the 4x200 freestyle men's relay. The Sterling native swam in the trials as a member of the University of Virginia Aquatic club.

McLean qualified in the 400 by finishing second at the Phillips 66 Nationals recently. He won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London as a member of the 4x200 relay team.

Connor Jaeger won the 400 meters at Nationals with a 3:45.89 while McLean finished runner-up at 3:46.14.

The 15th FINAL World Championships start in Barcelona in 17 days, running from July 19 thru Aug. 4, 2013.

News: Potomac Falls Recent Grad Patricia Mook Receives $10K Sullivan Award Scholarship

(June 26, 2013) - Potomac Falls High School recent grad Patricia Mook is one of two applicants out of 2,300 nationwide to receive a $10,000 AAU High School Sullivan Award scholarship.

It was announced June 14 that Mook -- who played varsity basketball and volleyball at Potomac Falls for four years and ran track this spring -- and Josh Stamp received the top awards of $10,000 each. Mook will use her scholarship at Emory University where she will play basketball.

Baseball: Bowman's 3-Hitter Leads Woodgrove into Region II Championship Game, Clinches States for Young Wolverines

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern 
Sterling (May 30, 2013) – Backed by a 3-hit, 9-strikeout performance by sophomore Kaleb Bowman, Woodgrove High School knocked off Dulles District champion Potomac Falls Panthers, 2-0, in a Region II semifinal that decided which school would represent Loudoun County in the regional finals Friday night and next week's Virginia High School League AA state tournament.

“We’ll worry about tomorrow when we get to tomorrow,” said Woodgrove coach Brad Bauder on his team’s preparation for the Region II championship game Friday at Sherando. “But we’re going to celebrate tonight. We’re going to the state tournament. These kids are excited, they believe, they’re hungry. I’m so happy for them. I’m glad I get to be a part of it.”

Bauder, the Dulles District Coach of the Year, has had to conquer adversity all season long to lead his team on this deep playoff run.

Woodgrove (17-6) clinched its first ever state trip despite a roster shake-up that saw 10 players leave the team after the start of the season. When the dust settled, Bauder called on support from the JV ranks to replenish the roster and the Woodgrove squad remaining included just four juniors to go with 10 sophomores and seven freshman.

One side affect of the dramatic lineup change was that it "created a strong team bond", according to Bowman.

“We had a big situation where we had to make some roster changes at the beginning of the year and we sat down and had a game plan,” Bauder said. “It took a few games for the kids to really buy in, but now they believe. I’ll tell you what it’s hard to beat a team that believes.”

State Tournament Scorecard: 15 Loudoun Teams Make States Including 5 from Woodgrove

(May 29, 2013) - A total 15 Loudoun teams qualified for state tournaments this spring including five teams from Woodgrove High School. Briar Woods, with three, and Broad Run, with two, were the only other schools with multiple teams moving on past region. Eight of the 13 Loudoun schools had at least one team make States.

Potomac Falls: Panthers Hold Ceremony for 13 Athletes Headed to College Ranks

(May 30, 2013) - Earlier this month, Potomac Falls High School held a ceremony for 13 athletes who will play next year at the college level:

Baseball 
Zach Engelmann, Lynchburg College
Jared Goldberg, Christopher Newport University
Brandon Orbe, Marymount University
James Pearson, James Madison University

Girls’ Basketball 
Patricia Mook, Emory University

Football 
Alex Bouchard, West Virginia Wesleyan College
Sean Brown, Alderson-Broaddus College
Zach Causey, Randolph-Macon College
Kareen Watson, California University of Pennsylvania

Boys’ Soccer 
Ian Waltz, University of Mary Washington

Girls’ Soccer 
Anna Gruenberg, Shenandoah University
Anna Mueller, Shepherd University
Kylie Shultz, George Mason University

Boys Soccer: Tuscarora's Carey Moves from Midfield to Forward, then Moves Huskies Forward to Region II Semifinals with Two Goals

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern
Leesburg (May 28, 2013) - Tuscarora High School’s Justin Carey transitioned from center midfielder to forward at just the right time as he connected with the game’s only goals in the 55th and 65th minutes giving the Huskies the advantage over Potomac Falls, 2-0, in the Region II quarterfinals Tuesday.

“We took him out of the central midfield and moved him up to striker just trying to get another push from somebody else, a little bit of effort up there,” said Tuscarora coach Dave Gryder, who notched career win No. 200 with the victory. “He got the ball at a good opportunity and made a good shot. He’s got the scoring ability. We’re using him at center midfielder this year to control the ball, but we know he can finish.”

Boys Soccer: Region II Bracket - Potomac Falls and Tuscarora Clash in Quarterfinals

(May 28, 2013) - The Region II boys soccer quarterfinals feature a match-up between the top two Dulles District regular-season teams as Potomac Falls is at Tuscarora tonight. Park View and Briar Woods are both on the road with the Patriots at Kettle Run and The Falcons at Western Albemarle.

Region II Boys Soccer 2013 Tournament
First Round - Monday, May 27
Park View 1, Millbrook 1 (2OT, PV advances on PKs, 3-2)
Potomac Falls 3, Fluvanna 2

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, May 28
Park View 2, Kettle Run 0
Briar Woods 1, Western Albemarle, 1 (2OT, BW advances on PKs, 6-5)
Tuscarora 2, Potomac Falls 0
Sherando 6, Warren County 0

Semifinals - Thursday, May 30
Park View at Briar Woods, 6 p.m.
Sherando at Tuscarora, 7 p.m.

Finals - Friday, May 31

Baseball: Region II Brackets - 3 Dulles Teams in Quarterfinals

(May 28, 2013) - The Region II baseball quarterfinals is set for Tuesday, May 28 with three Dulles District teams playing: Potomac Falls hosts Millbrook, Loudoun Valley at Sherando and Woodgrove at Monticello.

Region II Baseball 2013 Tournament
First Round - Monday, May 27
Loudoun Valley 10, Heritage 4
Woodgrove 11, Fauquier 4

Quarterfinals - Tuesday, May 28
Sherando 1, Loudoun Valley 0 (13)
Powhatan 11, Liberty 8
Woodgrove 10, Monticello 4
Potomac Falls 1, Millbrook 0

Semifinals - May 30
Powhatan at Sherando, 6 p.m.
Woodgrove at Potomac Falls, 6 p.m.

Finals - May 31 at high seed

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Baseball: Potomac Falls' Engelmann Outduels Heritage's Hopeck as Panthers Win Dulles District Tournament Title

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern

Sterling (May 24, 2013) - The top four hitters in the Potomac Falls High School batting order combined for six hits, reached base eight times and scored all four runs in the Panthers 4-3 win over Heritage Friday night in the Dulles District baseball tournament championship. It was the Panthers third title in the last five years.

“The top of our order needs to get it started,” senior cleanup hitter Zachary Engelmann said. “We're knocking in runs. But it was a total team effort. We need the whole order to win games. Everyone is important and everyone showed up tonight.”

Gymnastics: Potomac Falls SR Lily Hardman to Compete at Iowa State

(May 22, 2013) - Lily Hardman, a senior at Potomac Falls High School, and Level 10 gymnast, has committed to Iowa State University to compete for their NCAA Divsion I gymnastics team.

Baseball: Oh! O'Brien Does It Again! Second Walk-Off Hit of the Week by Potomac Falls Catcher Sends Panthers into Dulles Finals

(May 22, 2013) - Potomac Falls High School catcher Brendan "Oh My!" O'Brien has had quite a Dulles District tournament as the Panther junior followed his extra-inning walk-off double in a 5-4 quarterfinal win over Dominion with a dramatic two-out, walk-off two-run home run Tuesday night in a 6-4 semifinal win over Loudoun Valley.

The top-seeded Panthers (18-4) will now host the third-seeded Heritage Pride Thursday in the Dulles District finals with a 6 p.m. first pitch.

O’Brien's walk-off home run Tuesday couldn't have been possible without the two-run home run by Joey Larimer an inning earlier.

Baseball: Potomac Falls SR Brandon Orbe Named Dulles District Player of the Year

(May 21, 2013) - Potomac Falls High School senior shortstop Brandon Orbe, who helped the Panthers win the Dulles District regular-season baseball title, was named the district's Player of the Year in a vote by the coaches Monday night.

Woodgrove coach Brad Bauder, who guided the Wolverines to second place finish despite some unexpected roster changes this season, was named the Coach of the Year.

Orbe led a group of six Panthers named to the first team and was one of two players to be an unanimous choice along with Woodgrove junior Matt Jeffery at the Utility position.

2013 Dulles District Baseball Team
First Team (*unanimous)
Outfield
Connor Sullivan (SR) Dominion
Danny White (SR) Loudoun Valley
Zachary Engelmann (SR) Potomac Falls
1st Base
Mack Ficker (SR) Briar Woods
2nd Base
Jared Goldberg (SR) Potomac Falls
3rd Base
Michael Smith (FR) Potomac Falls
Shortstop
Brandon Orbe (SR) Potomac Falls*
DH
Davis Hofford (JR) Tuscarora
Utility
Matt Jeffery (JR) Woodgrove*
Catcher
Brendan O'Brien (JR) Potomac Falls
Pitcher
James Pearson (SR) Potomac Falls
Danny White (SR) Loudoun Valley

Second Team

Boys Soccer: Tuscarora Celebrates Dulles District Title as Defense Shines Against Panthers in 1-0 Win

By Owen Gotimer
Viva Loudoun College Intern
Leesburg (May 13, 2013) – Tuscarora High School senior striker Kevin Nerio earned a 16th minute penalty kick and that was the difference in the Huskies 1-0 victory over the Potomac Falls Panthers Monday evening in a match that decided the Dulles District regular-season championship.

“He left everything he had out there. I don't know if he had much more he could have given us,” Tuscarora’s head coach Dave Gryder said of Nerio. “Kevin has the fighter mentality where he is going to give it all. He’s a tough kid.”

Sophomore midfielder Sergio Resendiz took the penalty kick for Nerio and scored the game's lone goal,  rocketing the ball into the back of the net. The win earns Tuscarora (13-0-2 overall, 8-0-0 in district) the district's top seed for regional play.

Baseball: Bowman Gets Plenty of Run Support as the Wolverines Topple Top-Seeded Panthers

By Owen Gotimer 
Viva Loudoun College Intern

Purcellville (May 8, 2013) – The Woodgrove High School Wolverines’ seven-run first inning proved to be plenty of support for their starting pitcher Kaleb Bowman who gave up one just unearned run while surrendering two hits through six innings in a 9-1 win over Dulles District baseball’s first place squad,  Potomac Falls (14-4 overall, 12-2 in the district).

“Kaleb has been this way all year for us,” Woodgrove’s head coach Brad Bauder said of the sophomore. “He knows exactly what it takes to keep us in the game and getting him some run support early made him want to win even more.”

Football: Potomac Falls to Host Pancake Breakfast Saturday, May 11 at Applebee's

(May 7, 2013) - The Potomac Falls High School football program is hosting the Panther Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 11 from 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee's Restaurant.

Baseball: Viva Loudoun LoCo Top 5

(May 6, 2013) - Viva Loudoun will rank the top five baseball teams among Loudoun's 13 public high school each week.

Viva Loudoun LoCo Baseball Top 5

Week 8, April 29-May 4
1, Potomac Falls (13-3)
Panthers maintain top ranking despite a 1-0 loss to Heritage as all teams in LoCo Top 5 suffered losses on the week!

2, Woodgrove (9-4)
Wolverines win three times on week including beating then No. 5 Heritage which turned around an beat No. 1 Potomac Falls and a non-district win over previous No. 1 Freedom to move into Top 5 at the No. 2 spot!

3, Heritage (11-7)
Pride fall 4-3 to Woodgrove but shut down Potomac Falls 1-0 in big Dulles win.

4, Freedom (13-5)
The Eagles have gone 2-4 since their 11-1 start to the season.

5, Loudoun Valley (13-6)
Vikes suffer losses to Potomac Falls and Briar Woods -- surrendering 10 runs in each game.

On the Bubble: Briar Woods (9-7), Stone Bridge (9-8), Broad Run (7-12)


Previous Rankings

College Corner: Potomac Falls Grad Heather Kiefer Named CAA Pitcher of the Week for Second Time this Spring

photo courtesy JMU athletics

College Corner with Dan Sousa
Richmond (April 20, 2013)  – James Madison sophomore pitcher Heather Kiefer (Potomac Falls, Va./Potomac Falls) and freshman pitcher/first baseman Jailyn Ford (Hot Springs, Va./Bath County) were respectively named the Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week and Rookie of the Week on Monday after helping lead JMU to a 4-1 record last week.

Kiefer claimed CAA Pitcher of the Week honors for the second time this season and the third time in her career. For Ford, this is her fourth conference Rookie of the Week accolade and her sixth conference honor of the season.

Photo Gallery: JV Baseball - Dominion vs. Potomac Falls by Scott Shepherd

(March 16, 2013) - Our first spring sports photo gallery of 2013 is JV baseball by Scott Shepherd. Check out all 124 photos from Friday's Dominion vs. Potomac Falls rivalry game in Sterling.

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softball & baseball coverage!

College Corner: Potomac Falls Grad Galloway Makes an Impact His Freshman Year on Hood Hoops

College Corner with Dan Sousa

Frederick, MD (March 13, 2013) - Potomac Falls High School grad Matt Galloway make an impact his freshman season with the Hood College men's basketball team.

Galloway played in all 25 games as Hood went 14-11 and missed the playoffs after falling in double overtime, 97-95, to Lycoming College on Feb. 16. Galloway had 15 points in that game, his second best scoring effort of the season behind 16 points against St. Vincent in December that helped Hood capture the Rotary Club of Frederick Holiday Classic at BB&T Arena.

Galloway, a 6-foot-3 guard, had a sensational game for the Blazers in the tournament title game, scoring 16 points on 4-9 shooting. He also knocked down all six of his free throw attempts and was a consistent threat throughout the game. Because of his efforts Galloway was named the tournament MVP, which is a huge accomplishment considering he is just a freshman.