Dear Western Albemarle Community,
As your new athletic director, I am committed to providing our community with timely updates and recaps of our athletic accomplishments.
In this email:
- National Guard Cup
- Spring Sports Overview
- Welcome to New Coaches and Staff
- Fall Sports Reminders
National Guard Cup: We are pleased to announce that Western Albemarle has been awarded the National Guard Cup for VHSL Class 3A athletics! This is the fifth consecutive and ninth time overall that Western has won the award that is based on overall performance in VHSL state championship competitions. Western teams earned 720 points during the year, including 360 points in the spring season.
Spring Sports Wrap-Up: Here are some of the incredible accomplishments in VHSL Athletics from the spring that we are celebrating:
State Semi-Finalists: Boys Lacrosse
State Runner-Up Finishes: Five teams finished as state runners-up: Boys Outdoor Track, Girls Outdoor Track, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, and Girls Tennis.
State Champions: Boys Tennis (7th consecutive & 12th overall title), Girls Lacrosse (2nd consecutive & 3rd overall title)
Individual State Titles: Several of our athletes won individual state titles, including:
Bridger Clarke – Class 3A 4x400m Relay
Anders Felt – Class 3A 110m Hurdles, 300m Hurdles, 4x400m Relay
Raina Fitzwater – Class 3A Pole Vault
Kai Lehmensiek – Class 3A 4x400m Relay
Connor Rittenhouse – Class 3A 4x400m Relay
Blythe Sturman – Class 3A Girls Singles Tennis
All-State Honors: Many of our athletes were recognized for their outstanding performance by earning all-state honors, including:
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Lacrosse
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Outdoor Track & Field
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Cole Baglio (1st Team)
Aiden Bakich (2nd Team)
Maggie Craytor (1st Team)
Taylor Florin (2nd Team)
Chloe Gates (1st Team)
Reeve Goldstein (1st Team)
Genevieve Hathaway (1st Team)
Juliana Murphy - Lacrosse (1st Team)
McLean Stokes (2nd Team)
Jean-Nika Van der Westhuizen (2nd Team)
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Bridger Clarke (4x400m Relay)
Grace Cook (4x800m Relay)
Anders Felt (110m Hurdles / 300m Hurdles / 4 x 400m Relay)
Raina Fitzwater (Pole Vault)
Hailey Hodson (4x800m Relay)
Kai Lehmensiek (800m, 4x400m Relay)
Connor Rittenhouse (4x400m Relay)
Emerson Ritter (4x800m Relay)
Charlie Strobach (Pole Vault)
Carter Torrence (200m/400m/4x800m Relay)
Evie Woodrow (Pole Vault)
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Soccer
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Tennis
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Ben Brockmeier (1st Team)
Rafael Ibanez (1st Team)
Ronan McDonald – (1st Team)
Elana Romesburg (2nd Team)
Phebe Ryan (1st Team)
Connor Spano (2nd Team)
Jamey Williamson (1st Team)
Cashel Yates (1st Team)
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Amanda Bilchick – Tennis (Doubles)
Brader Eby – Tennis – (Singles and Doubles)
Blythe Sturman – Tennis (Singles and Doubles)
Wade Sturman – Tennis (Doubles)
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Class 3A Player of the Year: Jamey Williamson (Boys Soccer)
Class 4 Coach of the Year: Peggy Williams (Girls Lacrosse)
Western Crew – In addition to our success in VHSL sports, our Western Crew team also excelled this spring. The boys crew team WON the Division III State Championship. At states, gold medals were won by the Boys Quad, Boys Jr Quad, Boys Jr Single, and the Girls Jr Quad.
Western Mountain Biking: Western became just the 2nd high school on the East Coast to host an interscholastic race series event. The Warrior team had spent the past three years creating our challenging on-campus trail.
These accomplishments are a testament to the strength of our athletic program and the unwavering support of our community. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all our athletes, coaches, and everyone who contributed to this remarkable year.
Welcome Aboard – We are incredibly happy to announce three new additions to the Western Athletics Department.
Sean Meslar (Varsity Volleyball Coach): Coach Meslar has a positive, established relationship with most of the student-athletes involved in the program, stemming from his time as a coach in the varsity, junior-varsity and middle school programs at Western over the last 5 years. He is ready to work to ensure a fun, fulfilling and successful experience for this season as well as those of the foreseeable future. Questions for Coach Meslar may be sent to .
Brielle Shope (Sideline Cheer Coach): With a wealth of experience in cheerleading and a passion for mentoring young athletes, Coach Shope is eager to lead our cheer team to new heights. Please reach out to Coach Shope if you have questions about the upcoming Sideline Cheer season at .
Shanna Lovaglio (Athletic Department Assistant): Ms. Lovalgio is a proud Western alumnus. After graduating, she attended UVA and then returned to Western as a student teacher (under Ms. Sublette) and became a dedicated member of our English department, inspiring students with her passion and commitment. Now, as the Athletic Department Assistant, Ms. Lovaglio looks forward to supporting our student-athletes in achieving their best, both on and off the field. She can be reached at slovaglio@k12albemarle.org or by calling the Athletic Office at 823-8705.
Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm. Go Warriors!
Dan Bledsoe, WAHS Athletic Director
