Students run year round with indoor track

Anna Claire Mitchum | Raider Staff

Timmy Landicho and Chase Breda sprint to finish the 1000 meter race at Stonebridge High School on December 5. LCHS’s newest sport helps athletes take advantage of the extra season to improve their times. Photo Courtesy of Elena Dinman

As the sun sets in the cold, students run, seeing their breath hanging in the air like ghosts. They wiggle their fingers to keep them awake and struggle to see in the twilight. This is what student athletes who participate in the new sport, indoor track, go through every practice. Outdoor track and field coach Courtney Campbell started the team last year, and it quickly gained popularity.

“[The athletes] were asking me about wanting to compete indoor and I felt obligated to them. I also felt bad that other schools in the County had teams and we did not,” Campbell said.

Two athletes, seniors Jessie Eck and Smith Drupa, who participated in indoor track both this year and last year, said they run indoor to stay in shape during the winter. “I wanted to stay in shape and improve my times for outdoor track,” Eck said.

“The number of people involved has more than doubled, I believe, so the team has definitely grown,” Drupa said.

“Last year we had about 15 runners and this year we have 48,” Campbell said. In past years the cross-country team has had approximately 120 runners.

“The average practice is less than outdoor track because we don’t have as much sunlight,” Eck said. The team also goes to the weight room after runs. During evenings when the weather is too cold, the team practices inside the school. “We currently only practice as a team three days a week and then usually have a meet on Saturday. We practice from about four till six and try to get outside every day but it’s cold,” Campbell said.

The meets are sometimes outdoors, while others are at the indoor track at Liberty University in Lynchburg. So far this season, several athletes have broken their own personal records, as well as school and state records.

Although track introduces Campbell to different types of athletes, cross country is his favorite because he likes to run distance. Eck says outdoor track is her favorite because she gets to watch interesting events. Drupa says although he enjoys running distance, indoor track is his favorite due to the intimate group setting.

Athlete of the issue: Megan Bukala

Robert Wertz | Editor

At season’s close, another Varsity Volleyball alumni has committed to a D1 university. This year, Senior Megan Bukala committed to Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Bukala committed in February of 2018 and plans to study biology starting in the 2019 school year. “I liked the school because I fell in love with the campus, the coaches and players are so welcoming and the standard of academics is at a very high level,” Bukala said.

Bukala was a four-year member of the Raider Volleyball team, a three-year Varsity member, and has also helped the team win three state titles in a row.

Bukala started playing volleyball eight years ago, when she was in fourth grade, because both her parents and brother had played before. She became interested through her family telling her about the game and watching her brother’s games.

Bukala started with her team in elementary and middle school. During freshman year, she made it on the JV team, and later moved up to Varsity as an outside hitter her sophomore year. “My favorite part of volleyball is the high intensity matches and getting to hit people in the face,” Bukala said.

This year, Bukala was named Virginia Volleyball State Player of the Year, which she says is “my biggest accomplishment as an athlete.” Bukala had also made the VHSL 4A 1st Team All-State Roster for two years in a row.

Ashley Rubino, also a member of the Varsity volleyball team, said Bukala “is one of the hardest working teammates I’ve ever had. She never stops pushing herself to become a better player, and her drive is contagious.”

Bukala continues to excel in her sport, as she looks forward to her next four years of playing college volleyball.

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Raider Alumni inducted into Hall of Fame

Anna Claire Mitchum | Raider Staff

Hall of Fame inductees. Courtesy of John Klimavicz

Every year, the athletic department inducts new members into the Hall of Fame. This year’s induction, after being rescheduled due to Hurricane Florence, was held on January 4.
According to athletic director Kate Cassidy, the recipients are nominated by members of the Raider community. These individuals have demonstrated greatness in their sport, whether by participating in it or coaching. This is the Hall of Fame class of 2018:

Maurie Alcala, Basketball, Track, Class of 1992: Alcala was crowned the Virginia AA State Champion in 1992 in track for shot put and discus.

Scott Anderson, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Class of 1986: Anderson set several records in baseball and played for the Spiders on a conference championship team in 1987.

Gary Cochran, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Class of 1961: Cochran was the captain of the first Raider golf team and later played in the Virginia State Amateur golf competition.

Rick Furr, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Class of 1976: Rick Furr set records in football, and later, was the first Raider to play in the Atlantic coast conference.

Dhata Harris, Football, Wrestling, Track, Class of 1994: Harris finished third in wrestling in the state on the Group AA heavyweight division, and was in the state championship for the discus.

Stevie Jackson, Football, Basketball, Track, Class of 1997: Jackson led the Raiders to a 24-7 overall as a varsity starter, with 10-0 his senior season.

Mark Kirk, Baseball, Football, Wrestling, Class of 1977: Kirk was named All-District in football and baseball a combined five times. He was also in the regional tournament in wrestling for three times.

Whitney Knudsen, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Class of 2004: Knudsen was All-District and All-Region for basketball, and first team All-District, Region and State for volleyball and softball.

“Bootsie” Leonard, Football, Baseball, Basketball, Class of 1956: Lawrence “Bootsie” Leonard led both football and baseball to undefeated seasons, he later coached the first state championship team in Loudoun County Public Schools’ history.

Jimmy Parker, Baseball, Basketball and Softball Coach, 1973 -1999: Parker coached the softball team to 10 championships, including the 1993 Northwestern District and Region II titles.

Amy Sarver, Basketball, Volleyball, Tennis, Class of 2006: Sarver was a member of the region champion and state runner-up team for tennis. She also played volleyball for the Loudoun’s region championship team in 2005.

Although it is important to look back and appreciate the hard work former athletes have put in to making our current athletics program great, we can also look forward to the people who at this moment are making history. The open nominiation process means that when students have grown up, they can reflect on the people who inspired them to do their best, Cassidy said.

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Raiders swim to success

Jake Joseph | Raider Staff

Senior Kyle Backus competes in the swim meet against Woodgrove. The Raiders walked away with a 185-97 win on December 15. Photo Courtesy of Jeff Vennitti.

The swim team at Loudoun County High School has always been known for its success. Throughout the years, the team has had an impressive amount of swimmers qualify for states. The swim team has created a culture of winning, and there seems to be no end in sight.

Last year, the swim team were the runner up at both the conference swim meet and the regional swim meet, sending a multitude of swimmers to the state meet. This year, the Raiders have started off strong, with a 193-85 victory over Loudoun Valley High School. Already, a multitude of swimmers have qualified for states.

Junior Shane Hunter has qualified for the state meet in the 500 Freestyle, the 50 Freestyle, and the 200 Medley Relay team with sophomore Gavin Wagner, senior Kyle Backus, and junior Colby Koenig. Wagner has also qualified for the state meet in the 100 Backstroke, and Koenig qualified for the state meet in the 100 Butterfly.

One of the biggest parts of the team’s success, though, is the team’s chemistry. “The team has a high energy environment, which is perfect for having fun while still making progress in the water,” said Koenig. “I feel that the team has a unity you don’t really get with other sports. Most people consider swimming as an individual sport, but everyone is always on the deck cheering for each other, which really makes it seem like we depend on one another.”

The bond between the athletes is very important to the team’s success. Before every meet, one of the seniors hosts a pasta party for the whole team. “My favorite part of being on the team is the pasta parties,” said Koenig. “They’re a ton of fun.”

Another essential piece of the team’s success is the coaching. The coaches support the players and help them be the best they can be. “The coaches are the reason the team is successful,” said Hunter. “They’re super supportive and I’ve really learned a lot from them.”

The Raider swim team isn’t just all business. They also like to have fun. “Every once in a while we’ll mix up the stretches we do before we get in the pool,” said Koenig, “Sometimes we do some funny ones, and sometimes I’ll give a motivational speech before we start.”

The Raiders hope to continue their sustained success this year, and so far, it looks like they’re on track to do so.

LCHS Basketball: Boxing-out the competition

Marshall Scott | Raider Staff

Joe Alexander (21) leaps past the defender for the easy layup. Loudoun County sent the Pride home after a 53-38 win on January 4, 2019.

LCHS men’s basketball has had a hot start to the regular season, starting 4-1 and battling their hardest each and every game. The team is spread out well, with no one person dominating; rather, the whole team chipping in together to get victories.

Their teamwork helps them spread the floor, create space, and get rebounds that lead to easy fast break points. The team consists of all grades, unselfishness, and a will to win. Their bond allows them to have a better connection in practice that leads to dominance in games.

Senior Andy Lopez knows what the key to playing together and winning games is. “It all starts with communication. Knowing where the players are going to be, calling out plays and yelling for the ball—without communication, we wouldn’t be on the same page and would not be able to perform at a high level,” Lopez said. Without a doubt, staying honest and knowing your teammates well is the key to this team and makes communication come easy.

Senior Captain Joe Alexander credits the bond between the team for its success. “We are all brothers who enjoy playing together as a team and making each other better each and every day,” Alexander said. The boys are out practicing every day, and the relationships they have go much farther than the basketball court.

As the season continues, the boys have their eyes focused on smart team-play, working together, and most of all on a playoff run. They know the work they put into practice will pay off in the games, so they continue to strive for greatness in every opportunity.