High School Athletes Prep for Season

By Paul Tenorio

Sunday, March 9, 2008

In the gym at Broad Run High School, which just weeks ago hosted Virginia AA Dulles District basketball games, the swish of a ball dropping through the net has been replaced by the smack of a softball hitting a glove.

The Spartans, the defending Virginia AA state softball champions who went 29-0 last season, are positioned in five lines, throwing and catching, just one of many Loudoun County teams practicing and preparing for the new season. After a long winter, spring is upon the county, even if the temperatures haven't indicated it every day.

The cold weather and rain have kept the softball team inside for all but two days, but Broad Run Coach Ed Steele said there is still a sense of relief that the season is finally here.

"It kind of sneaks up on me," Steele said, as he walked from the gym to the softball field. "But the kids anticipate it for a long time."

With the early end to the season for most of Loudoun County's winter athletes, the focus has moved quickly to spring sports. One quick glance around Broad Run's campus provided a panoramic view of the many teams that are just starting their seasons.

Just past the visiting bleachers of the football field, the boys' lacrosse team was practicing. On the adjacent baseball field, players moved through pop-up drills in left field while others played catch in right field. In the distance, the tennis team worked out on the courts, some broken into doubles, others practicing alone.

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Spring Sports Arrive

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David Weaver holds his leg up while stretching during lacrosse practice at Broad Run High School. (John McDonnell)

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Austin Forman, center, tries to keep the ball away from defender Will Field during Broad Run High School lacrosse practice. (John McDonnell)

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Robby Buckman, who plays defense for Broad Run High School's lacrosse team, takes a drink of water between drills. (John McDonnell)

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Sophomore A.J. Schmetzer goes after the ball during an infield drill at Broad Run High School. (John McDonnell)

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Bubba Bernstein, left, and Adam Luhmann warm up at a spring baseball practice at Broad Run High School. (John McDonnell)

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Broad Run head coach Pat Cassidy watches pitcher Chris Jessop in the bullpen. (John McDonnell)

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On the track, three groups of athletes were broken into clusters, gathered in different sections. One group went through warmups kicking their legs high into the air as they skipped down the straightaway. Another gathered around a coach, who told them what to expect in the coming months.

Alexis Campbell, who will play basketball next year for Sacred Heart and is coming off a season in which she was named first team all-District, was among the many gathered on the track, having changed her hoops jersey for track gear.

"It's hard because when we first came out here, it was freezing, so I had to wear warmup clothes," Campbell said. "It was pretty difficult."

Down the road at Stone Bridge, the picture was the same.

The tennis courts were full, and the girls' soccer team was working out on the stadium field. Around them the track was alive with athletes running through different drills; some stood near the high-jump bar, discussing their approach to the event.

On the field where months ago Mickey Thompson's state championship football team practiced, the girls' and boys' lacrosse teams moved through offensive sets.

Spring has definitely arrived, and for athletes such as Stone Bridge junior Scott Smingler, it's about time.

"The offseason is long, and you're just lifting and running and doing stuff like that, and it's nowhere near as fun as just coming out here and playing again," Smingler said as he took a water break from lacrosse practice. "I think we've been in the gym a couple times, and even when we're out on the field, the mud just overtakes the field and it's hard to run in . . . but as long as we're playing, I like it."

Season Schedule

The first day of spring is 11 days away, but Loudoun County's spring season begins this week. Here are some things to look for (weather permitting, of course).

SOFTBALL

Broad Run, which last year became the first metro area team to complete an undefeated season since Thomas Stone in 2000, has high expectations as it begins its defense of its Virginia AA championship March 25 at Briar Woods.

SOCCER

Winner of three consecutive Region II titles, the Potomac Falls boys' team will once again feature forward Uche Onyeador, a two-time All-Met selection and Loudoun Extra Player of the Year. The Panthers open at Manassas Park on Friday.

Julianne Rickers returns to lead the Loudoun County girls' team, last year's Virginia AA Dulles District co-champion. The Raiders will play at Loudoun Valley on Wednesday.

LACROSSE

Broad Run's boys' and girls' teams have won the last two district titles and will open their seasons at home Saturday afternoon.

BASEBALL

Stone Bridge, a strong program since moving up to the Virginia AAA Liberty District in 2006, will take part in the West Potomac Invitational next weekend, starting with a game Saturday against O'Connell.

TENNIS

Loudoun Valley, which opens at Osbourn Park on Wednesday, returns junior Kiersten Pappas, who last year went undefeated in the regular season and won the AAA National District singles title.

Extra Points

By Paul Tenorio and Matt Brooks