Western Albemarle winter sports teams and athletes performed at a high level this winter and we would like to recognize and celebrate a few highlights to the season.
The Boys Swim and Dive team won their 4th consecutive state championship (and 5th overall) in convincing fashion, defeating the 2nd place team from Independence by 107 points. Leading the Warriors were individual event state champions Trevor Donalson (Dive) and the 400 Freestyle Relay (Matthew Heilman, Sam Johnson, Anthony Garono and Peter Wray). WAHS also received state runner-up performances from the 200 Medley Relay (Noah Johnson, Jack Smith, Jackson Schundler, and Simon Wray), 200 Freestyle Relay (Sam Johnson, Simon Wray, Matthew Heilman, and Anthony Garono), Sam Johnson (200 Freestyle & 100 Butterfly) and Mathew Heilman (200 Individual Medley)
The Western Albemarle Girls Indoor Track team won the programs 4th state championship in the past 5 years, outdistancing runner-up Heritage by 30 points. Individual state championship performances were turned in by Jenna Stutzman (1000 meters & 1600 meters), Kate Ratcliffe (3200 meters), Reese Mattern (300 meters) and the 4 x 800 Meters Relay (Ella Taylor, Jordan Stone, Hailey Hodson, Maeci Frank).
The Warriors Boys Indoor Track Team finished State runner-up, just 4 points out of 1st. The team was led by championship performances from Henry Sullivan (55 Meters Hurdles) and Joseph Taylor (1600 meters).
The Western Girls Swim & Dive team finished in 4th place in the State meet that was highly competitive with the top 5 teams battling it out throughout the night. Pacing the Warriors was a pair of state-runner up performances by Lilly Fitzpatrick (100 Breaststroke), who also broke the school record with a time of 1:04:74, and 400 Freestyle Relay (Kathryn Burr, Grace McCardle, Julie Addison, and Casey Phillips).
The WAHS Girls Basketball team finished the season with a winning record and earned the district's top seed in the regional playoffs. The Warriors advanced to the regional semifinals for the fourth time in five years. The region tournament coaches selected senior Kate Wallace and freshman Ava Ewen to the Region 3C All-Tournament first team.
Wrestling had 6 brave and dedicated young men give a valiant effort in the abbreviated season. The highlight of the season was Joey Burch capturing the Regional Championship at 182 pounds. Burch, who is the first WAHS wrestler to capture a region championship in at least 10 years. went on to place 5th at the state tournament.