News: Briar Woods Celebrates Trio of Signings - Baker (JMU), Pompilio and Leach (Virginia Tech)

Special to VivaLoudoun
By Carl Lukat/Loudoun Times-Mirror Sports

Ashburn (Feb. 3, 2012) - A trio of Briar Woods High School seniors made their college destinations official Feb. 1 in front of family, friends, coaches and school administrators in the school library. Justin Baker will continue his football career at James Madison University, Shaquera "Shaq" Leach will run track at Virginia Tech and Connor Pompilio will play soccer at Virginia Tech.

Justin Baker earned first-team All-Dulles District as both an offensive and defensive lineman in 2011. Baker, who transferred to Briar Woods prior to his junior year, helped the Falcons win consecutive Virginia Division 4 state championships in his final two seasons. He registered 76 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss, and forced two fumbles as a senior.

Briar Woods football coach Charlie Pierce also credited Baker for becoming a better student during the last two years. Baker earned a 3.65 GPA on his latest report card. Baker was joined by his parents, Terra and John Baker, and his grandfather Nelson Griffin at the ceremony.

Connor Pompilio is a forward on the Falcons' boys soccer team. Pompilio led his club team, Vista RFC 93 to the Under-18 Boys Virginia State Cup title in the fall of 2011, scoring two first-half goals in a 3-0 win over ABGC Annandale United FC in the championship game.

Pompilio was joined at the ceremony by his parents, Leslie and Richard Pompilio, sister Kathryn Rowe Pompilio, and Briar Woods head coach Francois Bernard and assistant coach Gene Legg.

Shaquera Leach holds Briar Woods school records in the 100-meter dash (12.13), 200 (25.76) and 400 (57.66). Leach's favorite event is the 400 - she set a personal best of 55.06 seconds as a member of Special Forces Track Club at the 2011 Junior Olympics to earn All-American Status.

Leach, who attended Heritage High School as a freshman, led Briar Woods' girls team to their first Dulles District track and field championship last spring, placing first in the 100, 200 and 400, along with a runner-up finish in the high jump.

Leach was joined by her parents, Brandon and Natasha Graham, along with several current and former coaches, including Briar Woods coach Kelly Colebank and Special Forces coach Nick Savage. Follow jump for more photos from event by Carl Lukat!

Track and Field: Briar Woods Leach Commits to Virginia Tech

Ashburn (Dec. 6, 2011) - Shaquera Leach, a senior at Briar Woods High School, has formally given her verbal commitment to accept an athletic scholarship to run track and field at Virginia Tech University in the fall of 2012.

Leach, who has been an all-state sprinter in all of her first three high school seasons, made her decision after entertaining offers from several ACC, SEC, Big 12, Conference USA, Big East and Big 10 college track and field programs. She garnered national attention after earning All-American status in the 400-meter run at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics in New Orleans in August.

Track and Field: Special Forces/Briar Woods Phenom Leach Sets Two PRs in PA Meet; Track Club Having Good Summer at All Age Levels

Leach stands tall on the podium!

(July 18, 2011) - Special Forces Track Club and rising Briar Woods High School track phenom Shaquera Leach blazed her way to two PRs and three medals at the United States Age Group Track Coaches Association Youth Invitational in Chester, Pa. Leach won the 200 meters with a personal best 24.38 and chopped three seconds off her best 400 meters mark with a 55.46 and turned in a 12.19 in the 100.


Special Forces Blaze at USATF Regionals and Cliff Wiley Invitational
Led by sprinter Jasmine Hill, Special Forces continues to build momentum heading to a AAU Junior Olympics showdown against the nation in New Orleans. Hill set the tone blazing to a new PR in the 400m with a 58.4 finish in Atlanta, Georgia.

Over the weekend, Hill followed up by winning the 200m and 400m in 26.2 and 58.2 respectively. Other Gold Medal and Silver standouts at the Cliff Wiley Invitational held in Baltimore, Maryland were Darron Coley, Beau Everett, Mark Melbourne, Miles Howard, Taunysha Bailey, Sidney Webb, and Bryson Riddick as they swept through the 100, 200, 400, 800, and high jump respectively.

Hershey North American Championships
Sprint sensation and current record holder in the 50m, and 400m, Beau Everett will represent Special Forces and Loudoun County at the North American Championships to be held in Hershey, Pa. August 6th. Everett currently runs a 7.3 in the 50m and a 1.06 in the 400m at he 9-10 year old division.