Gymnastics: APEX Brings Home Gold in Baltimore

Another APEX winner!

(Dec. 13, 2011) - Several APEX athletes brought home gold medals from the COTC meet in Baltimore which featured over 2,000 gymnasts from across the country competing in the premiere East Coast event.

APEX had several top finishes including the level 5, 6 and 7 teams who finished 6th or 7th in team competition. Special congratulations to Caitlin Villavicencio, Kylie Klokis, Madison Hertel, Priscilla Hall, Callie Pellegrino, Ashley Wilkins, Caroline Cascadden, Erin Keane, Anneliese Brun, Taylor Hunter and Samantha Sommers who qualified to their respective State and Sectional meets.

Swim: Briar Woods Senior Matthew Nielsen to Swim at Carnegie Mellon Next Year

Matthew Nielsen

Ashburn (Dec. 13, 2011) - Briar Woods High School senior Matthew Nielsen will swim next year at NCAA Division III Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.

Nielsen was a Cheers Sports Athlete of the Month last season as a junior as he went undefeated in the Dulles District, took first at the Region II meet in the 500 free and placed fourth in the AA state meet in the 100 breast and 500.

Concentrating on his club swimming with the Curl Burke Swim Club in Tyson's Corner this winter, Nielsen competed at the prestigious Tom Dolan Invitational over the weekend, qualifying for the NCSA Junior Nationals in three events: 100 breast (58.60), 200 breast (2:07.2) and 200 IM (1:55.91).

Nielsen is unable to compete for Briar Woods this season and defend his Dulles District record due to conflicts between his club and high school practice times.

Softball: Fire and Ice 16U Looking for Players

(Dec. 13, 2011) - Fire and Ice 16U, a competitive girls travel softball team is looking for a pitcher, catcher, infielder and a outfielder/utility player to join our team now for winter training and for the 2012 season. If you have any questions or would like to set up a personal tryout please contact John Mehalic at 703-969-7310 or mehcrew@aol.com.

Basketball: Saturday-Monday Scoreboard

VivaLoudoun Saturday-Monday High School Basketball Scoreboard
(We remember when they were called cagers ...)

Mon. Dec. 12
Boys Basketball
Stonewall Jackson 58, Freedom 52
Heritage 74, Patriot 71

Girls Basketball
Centreville 70, Broad Run 42
Stonewall Jackson 91, Freedom 30

Sat. Dec. 10
Boys Basketball
Park View/Woodgrove Tip Off Tournament at Woodgrove
Broad Run 77, Park View 52
Woodgrove 55, Stone Bridge 46

Loudoun Valley Tip Off Tournament
Freedom 48, Dominion 41
Loudoun Valley 55, Skyline 28

Girls Basketball
Park View/Woodgrove Tip Off Tournament - Woodgrove
Stone Bridge 42, Woodgrove 32
Broad Run 61, Park View 58 (OT)

Loudoun Valley Tip Off Tournament
Skyline 46, Loudoun Valley 30
Freedom 50, Dominion 27

Battlefield Tournament
George Mason 64, Loudoun County 58

Football: VHSL State Finals Scoreboard

Steven Holland shot the game Saturday and will have a full gallery!

2011 VHSL Football State Title Games
Division 6: Oscar Smith 47, Centreville 21
Division 5: Phoebus 20, South County 10
Division 4: Briar Woods 28, Christiansburg 26
Division 3: Brookville 34, James Monroe 33
Division 2: Gretna 21, Goochland 16
Division 1: Clintwood 33, Galax 28

Football: Back-to-Back State Titles for Briar Woods as Falcons Win 28-26 Thriller over Christiansburg

By Dan Sousa

VivaLoudoun Editor

Lynchburg (Dec. 10, 2011) - The Briar Woods High School senior class found their football legs at the end of their sophomore season when the Falcons missed the playoffs but stared clicking with three straight wins to end that year. Since then, Briar Woods has won 27 out of 30 contests including back-to-back Dulles District and Region II titles and now back-to-back VHSL Division 4 state titles after Saturday's exciting 28-26 win over Christiansburg at Liberty University's Williams Stadium.

Stanford-bound DB/WR Alex Carter and JMU-bound lineman Justin Baker and the other 13 seniors finished their high school careers with wins as Briar Woods (14-1) held on to a furious Christiansburg (13-2) comeback in the final minutes led by Virginia Tech-bound QB/DB Brendon Motley.

Football Box: VHSL D4 Title Game - Briar Woods 28, Christiansburg 26

VHSL Division 4 State Title Football Game

Williams Stadium, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

Briar Woods 28, Christiansburg 26

CB  6  7   0  13 - 26

BW 7  7 14   0 - 28

1: CB - Snell 74 run (kick failed) 5:51 (drive 3 plays, 80 yds, 1:27)

1: BW - Carter 16 pass from McSorley (Clements kick) 0:05 (8 pl, 77 yd, 3:20)

2: BW - Logan 2 pass from McSorley (Clements kick) 0:08 (10, 65, 2:30)

2: CB - Thompson 69 pass from Motley (Hamley kick) 0:00 (2, 69, 0:06)

3: BW - Colder 34 run (Clements kick) 9:15 (6, 74, 2:30)

3: BW - Logan 1 run (Clements kick) 3:48 (9, 45, 3:40)

4: CB - Snell 4 run (Hamley kick) 3:42 (16, 77, 5:31)

4 CB - Augustin 11 run (pass failed) 2:04 (2, 17, 0:43)

First Downs: BW 21, CB 14
Rush-Yards: BW 38-256, CB 37-196

Passing Yards: BW 123, CB 132

Passes Att-Comp-Int: BW 20-10-1, CB 20-9-0

Total offense: BW 58-379, CB 57-328

Punt Returns: BW 4-18, CB 0-0

Int. Returns: BW 0-0, CB 1-35

Fumbles-Lost: BW 2-1, CB 1-0

Penalties: BW 5-21, CB 1-17

Possession: BW 22:52, CB 25:08

3rd Downs: BW 5-10, CB 5-13

4th Down: BW 1-1, CB 1-2

Red Zone: BW 3-4, CB 2-2

Rushing Leaders
BW: Colder 27-186, Cashman 2-30, Carter 4-22, McSorley 1-12, Logan 3-7, Brown 1-4.

CB: Snell 11-93, Motley 14-35, Green-Gause 3-29, Johnson 6-23. Augustin 3-16.

Passing
BW: McSorley 10-20-1 123.

CB: Motley 9-20-0 132.

Receiving Leaders
BW: Gadsden 3-32, Carter 2-39, Ramos 2-29, Serigne 2-22, Logan 1-2.

CB: Thompson 2-85, Green-Gause 2-19 Augustin 2-8, Davis 1-13.

Tackles Leaders
BW: Rolin 6-1 7, Barta 5-1 6, Baker 4-1 5, Owens 3-2 5 (sack).

CB: Motley 8-5 13, Scott 4-3 7, Gamand 5-1 6, Green-Gause 3-3 6.

Football: Live! Blog From VHSL D4 State Title Game: Briar Woods vs. Christiansburg - Coverage Starts at 4 p.m.

This is the spot for our Live! Blog today from the VHSL Division 4 state title football game between Briar Woods High School and Christiansburg at Liberty University's Williams Stadium. Check back as our coverage by VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa (high school career as a fullback - one TD!) kicks off his coverage at 4 p.m. from a warm pressbox (sorry Falcon fans!) ...

Basketball: Friday Night Scoreboard

VivaLoudoun Friday Night High School Basketball Scoreboard
(proudly shot clock free since 1943)

Fri. Dec. 9
Boys Basketball
Park View/Woodgrove Tip Off Tournament at Park View
Broad Run 82, Woodgrove 73
Stone Bridge 74, Park View 72

Loudoun Valley Tip Off Tournament
Skyline 53, Freedom 43
Loudoun Valley 80, Dominion 51

Briar Woods at Tuscarora PPD
Loudoun County 58, Heritage 45

Girls Basketball
Park View/Woodgrove Tip Off Tournament at Woodgrove
Stone Bridge 48, Park View 22
Woodgrove 44, Broad Run 21

Loudoun Valley Tip Off Tournament
Dominion 50, Loudoun Valley 41
Skyline 40, Freedom 38

Tuscarora 56, Briar Woods 36
Loudoun County 57, Heritage 54

Girls Soccer: Briar Woods Senior Granados Starts Training in Colombia Saturday for U-20 South American Championships in Brazil

(Dec. 9, 2011) - Briar Woods High School senior Lina Granados will be having a South American holiday this season as the talented soccer player starts training Saturday in Colombia with the U-20 women's team in preparation for the U-20 South American championships in Brazil at the end of January.

The tournament will determine two teams that will move on to the U-20 World Cup which will be held in August 2012 in Uzebkistan.

News: VHSL Executive Committee Unanimously Votes to Explore Expanded Classifications for Next Redistricting Cycle; 4, 5 or 6 Classifications Suggested

(Dec. 9, 2011) - The Initial Alignment Plan released last week by the Virginia High School League may have to take a backseat as the VHSL Executive Committee unanimously has voted 26-0 to have the Redistricting and Reclassification Committee institute a plan that expands the current three classifications to four, five or six classifications for the next two-year cycle of 2013-14 and 2014-15.

According to a VHSL release: "By a 26-0 vote, the Executive Committee directed the Redistricting and Reclassification Committee (R&R) to institute a plan that has 4 or 5 or 6 classifications for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 cycle and present this to the Executive Committee at the February 22 meeting. Therefore, the R&R Committee will be charged with developing this revised classification system at its February 2 meeting. An Ad Hoc Classification Task Force has been developed to reflect the desires of the executive committee, develop guidelines, obtain relevant information and suggest considerations that can be presented to the R&R Committee prior to its February 2 meeting."

The bottom line may be that the plan released last week will see very little debate as a new plan is developed for the Feb. meeting.

Football: Media Coverage of Saturday's VHSL State Title Games

(Dec. 9, 2011) - Briar Woods High School fans who don't make the trip Saturday to the Falcons VHSL Division 4 state title football game against Christiansburg at Liberty University can follow VivaLoudoun's Live Blog with editor Dan Sousa interacting with fans online during the big game. And if you are out and about sign up for our Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/vivaloudoun) to get updates.

VivaLoudoun will also have two amazing photographers at the game, Steven Holland and Jeff Scudder, to capture all the best images, and Sousa will have a full wrap up after the game.

Cox 11 will have exclusive live coverage of the Division 5 and 6 State Championships while the Gameday Broadcast Network will once again provide fans an opportunity to watch all six 2011 VHSL Football Championships online.

For the complete Cox and Comcast affiliate list carrying the Division 5 and 6 games please go to (http://www.cox11.com/vhsl/) and for more information on how to watch online, please go to http://mvp.gamedaymagazine.com/members/media/live-coverage-of-football-championships/.

Below is a complete listing of radio broadcasts of Saturday’s championship games:
Group AA
Noon – Brookville vs. James Monroe
WBRG Radio
ESPN Radio
WZZU 97.9 FM

4:30 p.m. – Christiansburg vs. Briar Woods
Mix 100.7 FM

Group A
Noon – Clintwood vs. Galax
WWWJ-1360 AM
WDIC – 92.1 FM
WAXM-93.5 FM

4:30 p.m. – Gretna vs. Goochland
WZEZ – 100.5 FM

College Corner: Heritage Grad Kevin Burke Finds Dream Job with the Corvallis Knights

College Corner with editor Noelle Dormio

Courtesy of Virginia Tech and
Corvallis Knights

(Dec 8, 2011) - Heritage grad Kevin Burke is the new play-by-play broadcast announcer for the Corvallis Knights. The Knights are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Oregon. Kevin is a senior at Virginia Tech and will graduate with a BA in communications.  Here are some neat facts about Kevin AT A GLANCE:

WHO: Kevin Burke

WHAT: New Knights' play-by-play broadcaster

HOMETOWN: Leesburg, Va.

AGE: 21; turns 22 in February

EDUCATION: Senior at Virginia Tech; will graduate in May with a BA in communication (electric print and journalism option) and a minor in professional writing. Graduated from Heritage High School in Leesburg in 2008.

EXPERIENCE: IMG Virginia Tech Sports Network (2010-present); Salem (Va.) Red Sox (2010); Frederick (Md.) Keys (2009); Virginia Tech athletics (2008-11); TCC Sports, Sterling, Va. (2006-07); WAGE radio, Leesburg (2004-07).

QUOTE: "When I call a game, I try to paint a picture of the game, not just tell you what's happening. It takes effort to find out that little nugget about a player or make things more vivid through words. That's what I strive for in each broadcast."

Click to Read More

Football: VHSL Football State Champions All-Time 1920-2010

(Dec. 8, 2011) - Briar Woods High School is shooting for it second straight Virginia High School League Division 4 state football title on Saturday against Christiansburg at Liberty University. The Falcons are trying to keep a streak alive of four straight Loudoun state football champions with Stone Bridge (2007), Broad Run (2008, 2009) and Briar Woods (2010) all raising banners. Here is a look at 90 years of VHSL state football champions:

Football: Loudoun Schools in VHSL Football Playoffs - All-Time Results!

Loudoun Schools in the VHSL Football Playoffs

All time state titles (6 total)
Briar Woods 2 (2010, 2011)
Broad Run 2 (2008, 2009)
Park View 1 (1988)
Stone Bridge 1 (2007)

All time regional titles (17 total)
Stone Bridge 7 (02, 03, 05, 07, 08, 09, 10)
Park View 5 (80, 88, 93, 99, 00)
Broad Run 2 (08, 09)
Briar Woods 2 (10, 11)
Loudoun Valley 1 (76)

All time playoff seasons (63 total)
Park View 22 (78, 80, 83, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, 93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 05, 06, 07, 09, 10, 11)
Stone Bridge 10 (02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11)
Loudoun County 8 (85, 91, 92, 96, 99, 08, 09, 11)
Loudoun Valley 8 (76, 87, 88, 90, 97, 03, 05, 10)
Broad Run 7 (86, 91, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11)
Briar Woods 4 (07, 08, 10, 11)
Dominion 1 (10)
Heritage 1 (11)
Potomac Falls 1 (08)
Tuscarora 1 (11)

All time playoff records
Stone Bridge 26-9
Park View 23-21
Broad Run 11-5
Briar Woods 10-2
Loudoun County 4-8
Loudoun Valley 4-8
Potomac Falls 1-1
Tuscarora 1-1
Dominion 0-1
Heritage 0-1


since 1970

2011
AAA Northern Region Division 5
Stone Bridge 35, Langley 0 (quarterfinals)
South County 25, Stone Bridge 3 (semifinals)

AAA Northwest Region Division 5
Brooke Point 47, Broad Run 27 (semifinals)

AA Region II Division 4
Briar Woods 49, Park View 21 (quarterfinals)
Loudoun County 42, Heritage 14 (quarterfinals)
Briar Woods 29, Loudoun County 19 (semifinals)
Briar Woods 21, Powhatan 7 (finals)

AA State Division 4
Briar Woods 31, Gafton 0 (semifinals)
Briar Woods 28, Christiansburg 26 (finals)

AA Region II Division 3
Tuscarora 28, Warren County 21 (quarterfinals)
Kettle Run 32, Tuscarora 0 (semifinals)

Basketball: Wednesday Night Scoreboard

VivaLoudoun Wednesday Night High School Basketball Scoreboard
(we still contend the game was invented in 1890 with an avocado basket in California)

Wed. Dec. 7
Boys Basketball
George Mason 63, Freedom 47
Loudoun County 58, Brentsville 41

Girls Basketball
George Mason 59, Freedom 45
Tuscarora 58, Kettle Run 30

Football: You Pick'Em Week 16 is Here! State Finals!

You Pick'Em is sponsored by Gayle King of Century 21 Redwood Realty

You Pick'Em is sponsored by Gayle King of Century 21 Redwood Realty

Football: VHSL State Finals

(Dec. 7, 2011) - The Virginia High School League will hold six state football championships on Saturday with Briar Woods High School playing Christiansburg in the Division 4 finals at Liberty University at 4:30 p.m.

VHSL 2011 Football State Finals
Division 6 at UVA's Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, 4:07 p.m.
Oscar Smith (13-1) vs. Centreville (13-1)

Division 5 at UVA's Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, 12:07 p.m.
South County (11-3) vs. Phoebus (12-2)

Division 4 at Liberty's Williams Stadium in Lynchbrg, 4:30 p.m.
Briar Woods (13-1) vs. Christiansburg (12-1)

Division 3 at Liberty's Williams Stadium in Lynchburg, noon
Brookville (13-0) vs. James Monroe (13-0)

Division 2 at Salem City Stadium in Salem, 4:30 p.m.
Gretna (12-2) vs. Goochland (13-0)

Division 1 at Salem City Stadium in Salem, noon
Clintwood (12-2) vs. Galax (14-0)

Basketball: Tuesday Night Scoreboard

VivaLoudoun Tuesday Night High School Hoops Scoreboard
(Not a single lockout since 1954)

Tues. Dec. 6
Boys Basketball
Broad Run 66, Stone Bridge 58
Potomac Falls 61, Dominion 40
Park View 71, Heritage 67 (OT)
Loudoun Valley 61, Loudoun County 38

Girls Basketball
Woodgrove 56, Briar Woods 54
Stone Bridge 54, Broad Run 35
Potomac Falls 47, Dominion 42
Heritage 36, Park View 34
Loudoun County 53, Loudoun Valley 12

College Corner: Flint Hill Grad Shane Savage Named Third Team All-American by College Sports Madness for Ivy League Cornell

Courtesy of College Sports Madness and Cornell

College Corner with editor Noelle Dormio

(Dec 6, 2011) - Flint Hill High School grad Shane Savage has been named to the Football Championship Subdivision Third Team All-American team by College Sports Madness for Cornell University. Savage was one of three Ivy League players who were honored for their successful 2011 seasons.

Savage was a first-team All-Ivy League selection for the first time after leading the Ivy League in receptions (65), receiving yards (1080) and receiving touchdowns (12). He finished fifth nationally in yards per game and 13th in receptions per game while setting school records for season yards and touchdowns.

Savage is enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Read more on Shane
Shane's stats

Basketball: Saturday-Monday Scoreboard and Skinny

VivaLoudoun Scoreboard and Skinny: Dec. 3 and Dec. 5


Mon. Dec. 5
Boys Basketball
Freedom 64, Tuscarora 35
The Skinny: Freedom was led to the non-district win by Sean O'Rourke (14 points) and Cam Nizialek (12 points). Other scoring for Eagles: McLaughlin 8, Tracy 8, Hawkins 8, Smith 4, Dockett 4, Clay 3, Rosa 2, Abdulkareem 1.


For Tuscarora:
Josh Middleton 15
Devin Green 7
Spencer Hayes 7
Louis Werts 3
John Boris 3

Girls Basketball
Tuscarora 37, Freedom 32
The Skinny: Tuscarora reports that after falling behind 12-0 to start the game the Lady Huskies settled down defensively and didn't allow Freedom to score during the second frame. The Huskies were led by senior Amirah's Al-Bayyinah's 14pt, 10 rebound performance. Senior guard Darrian Pickett had 11pts and 3 assists. Freshman Laura Vasquez-Bolanos had a career high 6 steals. The Lady Huskies improve to 2-1 on the young season.


1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Score
THS 5 8 15 9 37
FHS 17 0 7 8 32


Notable performances
Amirah Al-Bayyinah (Sr.) 14pts, 10rebs, 4blocks
Darrian Pickett (Sr.) 11pts, 3stls, 3 assists
Zaria Comer (Soph.) 7pts, 8rbs


Sat. Dec. 3
Boys Basketball
Broadway Tournament
Finals
Potomac Falls 53, Broadway 48

Girls Basketball
West Springfield Tip Off Tournament
Chantily 42, Potomac Falls 30

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.

Boys Lacrosse: South Riding's Patrick Farrell Commits to Play at NCAA DIII National Champion Salisbury

(Dec. 6, 2011) - Flint Hill School senior goalie Patrick Farrell, a South Riding resident, has committed to play men's lacrosse next year at NCAA Division III national champion Salisbury.

Ice Hockey: Broad Run DECA to Raise Funds for Brain Injury Services at Spartan vs. Falcon Rivalry Match

(Dec. 6, 2011) - Broad Run High School DECA will be raising awareness and funds for Brain Injury Services at the Spartans ice hockey rivalry match Sunday Dec. 11 against Briar Woods. The Spartans and Falcons drop the puck at 8:10 p.m. at the Ashburn Ice House with free admission.

DECA will have a table set up and there will be a 50-50 raffle to raise funds. Also, 15 percent of the proceeds from food and drink purchases at Pomodoro located at the Ice House. Brain Injury Services helps those with traumatic brain injuries.

Music: Broad Run Marching Spartans Win State Championship

(Dec. 6, 2011) - The Broad Run High School Marching Spartans took first place on Nov. 5 at Glen Allen High School in the US Scholastic Band Association state championships. The Spartans are Virginia state champions for Class 2A, winning all captions: Best Percussion, Best Music, Best General Effect, Best Color Guard and Best Visual. Broad Run received a score of 92.35 -- just the second time in the Marching Band's existence that they scored above a 90. Their score was the second highest of all the Class A bands that competed on the afternoon.