On Deck: Raiders baseball team stays ready

Casey Hughes | Guest Writer

Advisor’s note: This article was written before the school closures due to COVID-19. Although spring sports have been suspended, we are printing the pre-season articles that were written in early March and were set to appear in our March issue.

As the spring season opens up it brings anticipation to a baseball team that ended the season with a losing record but banded together to almost win the regional title. Varsity baseball is primed and ready to improve from last season and make a run at history. Led by strong senior leadership, the Raiders are excited to get the ball rolling this baseball season.

“We kind of struggled last year. Our record was 7-13,” said senior outfielder Jack Pomata.

Despite struggles, the Raiders were not bottom of the barrel. Each game was close, and they were able to make a season defining run in the playoffs “last season.”

“We did lose like four games by one run, they were all close,” said senior pitcher Brian Conahan. “So once we hit the playoffs we went on a run and went one game from the states.”

The team has since bonded together after their gut wrenching loss to their cross town rival the Riverside Rams in the playoffs. The seniors are determined to improve and make another run during district play.

“This year we are a lot closer from last year, and then we just feel more energetic,” said Pomata. “Then this year we know if we don’t start off that good, we can still make a run. Now we have a goal to go far in the postseason.”

The Raiders know improving won’t just happen magically. They know that they need to work hard everyday and steadily get better, such as “quality innings from our pitching staff,” said Conahan. “Pitching is definitely a factor.”

There are some specific things both Conahan and Pomata think they can improve on. They know that they will have to do their parts in order for the team to improve.

“For me it’s mainly about hitting,” said Pomata. “I want to get my average up. Last year my average was 2.50. I want to get it to 3.00.”

“I want to get an increased velocity,” said Conahan. “I think I was in mid-70’s last year and I think I’m around 80 mph now.”

There are some young guns who are ready to make an immediate impact, including sophomore Mathew Yarborough, who received high praise from the seniors.

“He is like our utility player,” said Conahan. “We could put him anywhere and he would make an impact. He will take over for Senior catcher Sean Garvin in the next few years,” Stated Conahan and Pomata.

Head baseball coach Mathew Landers plays a big role in the team’s success. He has made practices fun while sticking to a Specific schedule.

“Practices are fun this year,” said Conahan. “We played in the rain twice and like coach Landers has a set schedule for each practice of stuff we are doing.”

Landers is pushing the Raiders to success with a fun but specific schedule. He wants to make sure his team is ready for each scenario, pushing communication so each of the players are on the same page.

“Say a ball is hit to the fence and you’re running back like an outfielder and there is a guy running with you and there are two guys on and you don’t know where you’re supposed to throw it,” said Conahan. “So the other guy will yell ‘cut cut cut’ so I know where to throw it.”

The district competition will be close this year. Every team has a pretty good shot. But the Raiders believe they can build on last year and have a very good shot at winning.

Unfortunately, these amazing seniors will not have the opportunity to showcase their abilities and improve on their seasons from last year. Due to the recent outbreak of the Convid 19 pandemic, their season was cut short. Not only was the baseball season cut short but their senior experience was. Photo credit: Katie Conahan and Olivia Toomer

SPORTS BRIEF: LADY RAIDERS DOMINATE IN 12TH STATE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 13 YEARS

Michaela Scott | Editor-in-Chief
The outstanding varsity volleyball team dominated at VCU’s Siegel Center on Friday, November 22, 2019. This squad not only swept the opponent, Grafton High School, in a quick three set match, but they did it with the weight of thirteen years of excellent volleyball players on their mind.

“It’s a lot of weight off of my shoulders because the pressure each individual has to win the states game each year is incredible,” said senior team captain and setter Chandler Vaughan.

The ‘Raider Family’ grows closer each year and continues to strive for excellence. “Each of the years I’ve played here at County, the teams were so different and full of different personalities and greatness which made each season coming back super exciting,” Vaughan said.

ATHLETE OF THE ISSUE: WHITLEY MAKES COMEBACK AFTER A STARTLING INJURY

Mackenzie Munn | Managing Editor

At the varsity girls’ basketball game on December 16 at Tuscarora High School, Elayna Whitley looks up the court to make a pass. The Lady Raiders battled through a tough game but ultimately the Huskies won with a final score of 53-37. Photo: Isbella Correnti

Junior Elayna Whitley’s athletic career came to a halt when she tore her meniscus during her sophomore year basketball season. After going through surgery and physical therapy, she was ready to make a comeback for the 2019-2020 winter season.

Whitley has been on the varsity girls’ basketball team since her freshman year and received a captain position for the current 2019-2020 season.

“I played the entire game, and I sat down for a timeout and I couldn’t get up,” Whitley said. “It was loose in my knee and the doctor said if I kept on playing it would probably end up ruining my knee.”

After her surgery, she went through a month of physical therapy until she was cleared to play again. Whitley admitted that the mental aspect of it was more difficult to get past than the physical aspect.

“It was really rough. Basketball is a distraction for me,” Whitley said. “Being out for that long and having to sit on the bench and watch my team and only be able to cheer them on and not be able to help was really hard.”

Spending the rest of her sophomore season on the bench built up her motivation for her current junior season. Even though she loves the sport, the team aspect is what is most important to her.

“Obviously our goal is to try and make it to states, but even if that doesn’t happen, just being able to be with them and work together for a common goal and coming together is what really matters,” Whitley said.

Whitley has been playing basketball for eight years and has played for various different teams and organizations. This past summer her team, Fairfax Stars, won Nike nationals in Chicago.

“That was really exciting; it was so crazy,” Whitley said. “Traveling so far and actually winning was such a great feeling.”

Whitley is looking ahead for her future and her biggest goal is to play in college. After her summer travel season in 2020, she is hoping to see a lot of options for herself for her senior year.
“It’s definitely the goal. I’ve had interests with the University of Delaware and Robert Morris.” Whitley said.

So far this season, Whitley has been the leading scorer in several games and earned the December athlete of the month for girl’s basketball with an average of 12.2 ppg and 6.0 rebounds per contest.

The Loudoun Raider thanks FCA for its support

SCOREBOARD

Girls Varsity Basketball:
12/09/19 vs. Stone Bridge HS – 46-56 L
12/11/19 vs. Freedom HS – 32-44 L
12/13/19 vs. Riverside HS – 45-44 W
12/16/19 vs. Tuscarora HS – 37-53 L
12/18/19 vs. Broad Run HS – 49-35 W
1/03/20 vs. Stone Bridge HS – 37-39 L
1/04/20 vs. Briar Woods HS – 31-42 L
1/10/20 vs. Independence HS – 48-31 W
1/13/20 vs. John Champe HS – 43-30 W
1/14/20 vs. Park View HS – 39-35 W

Boys Varsity Basketball:
12/09/19 vs. Stone Bridge HS – 67-59 W
12/11/19 vs. Freedom HS – 77-51 W
12/13/19 vs. Riverside HS – 51-51 T
12/18/19 vs. Broad Run HS – 70-46 W
1/10/20 vs. Independence HS – 50-39 W
1/14/20 vs. Park View HS – 69-49 W
1/15/20 vs. Briar Woods HS – 58-60 L

Girls Varsity Swimming:
12/06/19 vs. Tuscarora HS – 303-201
12/14/19 vs. Broad Run HS – 110-174
12/21/19 vs. Multiple Opponents – 79
1/03/20 vs. Woodgrove HS – 123-160
1/04/20 vs. Heritage HS – 179-106
1/11/20 vs. Loudoun Valley HS – 182-77

Boys Varsity Swimming:
12/06/19 vs. Tuscarora HS – 294-189
12/14/19 vs. Broad Run HS – 169-113
12/21/19 vs. Multiple Opponents – 145
1/03/20 vs. Woodgrove HS – 172-105
1/04/20 vs. Heritage HS – 141-145
1/11/20 vs. Loudoun Valley HS – 182-103

WRESTLING RALLIES TOGETHER IN PURSUIT OF VICTORY

Cara Hodge | Editor in Chief

Head throws and chin whips, fast maneuvers and a determination to succeed brought the wrestling team a second place title at the two day LCPS Wrestling Championships. The Raiders tied with Dominion, ending the tournament with 167.5 points. The team has seen obvious improvement in the past three years and have high prospects for the remainder of the season.

With all 16 of the schools from the county in attendance there was plenty of competition. The team did not disappoint, with Zach Rios coming in second place in the 106 pound weight class, Timmy Faber coming in third in the 120 pound weight class, Luke Roberts taking second in the 126 pound weight class, and Andrew Judd and Josh Pettiford securing first place in the 138 and 170 pound weight classes.

“We figured this would be a big jump for us,” said Kent Nagy, the head coach of the wrestling team. The past three years have brought major changes to the team with a record of 10 and 15 last year, and a record of 9 and 20 the year before that, now currently with the impressive record of 15 and 2. The athletes wear t-shirts that say “make the leap.” “We wanted to make that leap and become a respectable program,” Nagy said.

The wrestlers’ climb to success has not been one without obstacles.

“We’ve had a couple injuries which aren’t going to help us, but the kids are rallying together and trying to do the best they can to finish out the year strong,” said Nagy. The team is nearing the end of the season with districts on February 8. They came into the season with the prospect of winning a district title and Nagy is still confident that they will perform well.

“It’s the culture of the team; we’re really serious about doing well this year,” said Michael Ponticelli, a senior on the wrestling team who is looking forward to many victories in what is left of the season.

“Wrestling is a weird sport. I like to say it’s an individual sport with a team emphasis. The better that you do for yourself, the harder you push your partner, the more you get for your team,” said Nagy. The team has truly come together this year to bring the program the success it’s been missing in recent years.

“Individually you’re the only one out there and eveybody’s looking at you but all the preparation is because of what your team has done, what your coaches have done. It’s a collective effort,” said Nagy. Despite injuries and setbacks, the team is motivated to push themselves the rest of the season, gain a district title, and leave everything they have on the mats.

SMALL TEAM, BIG HEART: GYMNASTS STRIVE FOR THEIR GOALS

Karen Cortes | Staff writer
For gymnasts like Junior Maddie Reece, practicing gymnastics is a mix of individual effort and team accomplishments. With only five members, the gymnastics team is small, but each member of the team brings her own passion.

Each girl has an individual goal at the beginning of the season, but they come together to score as a team. “Our goals as a team are to make our routines consistent and make improvements to score higher week after week at our meets,” said head coach Macie Heuring.

Coach Heuring, along with assistant coach Alyssa Casanova, are teaming up for the first time this year to coach the girls gymnastics team. This is Heuring’s first year as head coach after former coach Jennifer Merritts stepped down.

The girls are picking up after the highlight of last year’s season in gymnastics, in which current senior Kristin Gettier moved up to regionals and states for bars. She didn’t return due to an injury.

“Last year and this year are different because this year we gained two new gymnasts and a new assistant coach,” said Reece.

Reece has been on the team for two years and has grown as an athlete. “I have accomplished some goals, like specific tumbling skills I wanted to get on floor, and I’m still working on other skills, like an aerial on beam,” she said.

While Reece enjoys the team, she wishes it were more widely known. “I wish people knew we had a gymnastics team,” she said. “It’s so much fun and the team has a great time at both practices and competitions.”

“Maddie Reece has definitely been our stand out gymnast this year,” said Huering. “She continues to improve and gain new skills. She has placed for multiple events as well as winning two first place all around titles this season.”

Team leadership and friendship make the team stronger. “It wouldn’t be the same without my friends and amazing coaches,” said Reece. “Leadership is important because it helps us stay motivated and excited about everything we do.”

Heuring has been coaching for ten years, but she is new to the sport. “This is only my second year coaching gymnastics so it is still new to me. I’ve always loved watching gymnastics and I love learning new things about the sport that help me become a better coach.”

The Loudoun Raider thanks Souvlaki Bar for their support