Chantilly High School | Archive | August, 2008

By Jimmy Thomas
Content Editor, DigitalSports.com

With players like Megan Shifflett and Lisa Scott of Langley, Kelly Brugger of Centreville and Vicki Chung of Chantilly graduated, the door is open for some fresh faces to appear this season in the chase for the Northern Region volleyball crown.

Stuart Coach Sharon Ponton, for example, graduated only two players and is looking to put the Raiders on the map for the first time in school history.

“Six years ago when [Stuart] started its volleyball program the current seniors were in seventh grade,” Ponton said. “In six short years all of these girls have worked hard to put together one of the most competitive programs in the district and maybe even the region.”

Another team looking to build off some late-season heroics a year ago — and make a run at this year’s Concorde District championship — is Fairfax.

“We really push for a high level of competitiveness, skill and conditioning,” said Rebels’ Coach Christine Zanellato, whose team upset three-time Concorde District champion Centreville to spoil its Senior Night celebration last season. “These girls have really stepped up their practice level. They play very hard and have an uncanny ability to focus. We are not a big team so we stress, its not how big you are its how big you play on the court.”

Fairfax, which is fresh off a 4-0 performance in their first-ever Richmond Showcase tournament, is led by senior outside hitter Theresa Harvey, a two-sport star who will be swimming and playing volleyball for Iona College next fall. Harvey was named to the showcase’s all-tournament team.

“She is an unbelievable athlete,” Zanellato said. “And she brings a level of intensity and unmatched competitiveness.”

With Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield already established contenders, the race for this year’s Concorde District championship should be interesting to say the least.

“As long as we play hard and play at the level they are capable of I am happy,” Zanellato said. “I think we can play with anyone.”

Key Losses
Megan Shifflett (LG) — 1st team all-met, 2-time Northern Region Player of the Year; Lisa Scott (LG) — 2nd team all-met; Kelly Brugger (CV) — honorable mention all-met; Kelsey Maloney (WF) — honorable mention all-met; Vicki Chung (CH) — honorable mention all-met.

Players to Watch
Logan Sebastian (LG) — honorable mention all-met, committed to University of Delaware; Lily Vera (SB) — honorable mention all-met; Sammy Spees (WF) — honorable mention all-met; Elyse Bush (YK); Elysse Richardson (LG); Sarah Norton (SB); Leigh Blair (WP); Jessie Kolden (HF); Lauren Sipple (WS); Corey Haynes (ST); Ariell Thompson (ED); Theresa Harvey (FX); Susie Murach (RB).

Teams to Watch
Concorde: Chantilly — 2007 Northern Region runner-up and Concorde District tournament champion; Centreville — Three-time Concorde District regular-season champion and region semifinalist;  Fairfax.

Liberty: Stone Bridge — Returns most of its starters, including standout setter Lily Vera; Langley — Defending Northern Region champion and Virginia AAA state runner-up; Madison.

National: Yorktown — Returns most of its starters ,including Elyse Bush; Stuart — Coming off its first regional berth in school history; Edison — Defending National District champion.

Patriot: West Springfield, South County, Hayfield.

Games to Watch
Madison @ Chantilly, Sept. 3; West Springfield @ Yorktown, Sept. 4; Centreville @ Stone Bridge, Sept. 9; Westfield @  Langley, Sept. 22; Stuart @ Yorktown, Sept. 22; South County @ West Springfield, Oct. 13; Chantilly @ Fairfax, Oct. 14; Westfield @ Chantilly, Oct. 16; Stone Bridge @ Langley, Oct. 23.

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Team Links:
Click here for Chantilly’s Homepage on DigitalSports
Click here for Chantilly’s 2008 Football Schedule
Click here for the Northern Region (VA) Football Central

No. 4 Chantilly High School Chargers — Northern Region, Division 6, Class AAA Concorde District

Head Coach: Michael Lalli, fourth year.
Career Record: 37-42 2007 Record: 8-3 overall, 4-2 district (Northern Region Division 6 Quarterfinalist).
Returning Starters: 4 offense/4 defense.
Key Losses: TE Jacob Barren; OL Doug Boyle; FB Antonio Cross; QB Austin Decker; LB Mike Quigg; TB Bugsy Urrutia.
Top Returners: OT Andrew Crawford, Sr., 6-6, 270; C Brendan Murphy, Sr., 5-10, 220; RB Torrian Pace, Sr., 5-10, 220; OG/LB Isaac Sine, Sr., 6-3, 220.
Fresh Faces: RB/DB Mike Farris, Jr., 5-9, 165; WR/DB Kris Martin, Jr., 5-9, 170.
Game to Watch: Week 9, Oct. 24 at Centreville
Although the past two seasons have established the Chargers as a Northern Region powerhouse, Chantilly has lost 12 straight games to Centreville, dating back to the Chargers’ state championship run in 1996. In last year’s Sully Bowl, the Wildcats held the Chargers scoreless through 47 minutes of play en route to a 19-6 victory. This Concorde closer should provide some late drama for the state’s best district.
Stadium: Chantilly High Stadium (Capacity 6,000).

A Load in the Backfield
By Angela Watts
Managing Content Editor, DigitalSports.com

Twenty-seventh in a series.

Even sitting on Chantilly’s tennis courts, hunched over and helping to lead his teammates in some early-morning stretching drills, it’s easy to spot Charger senior running back Torrian Pace.

That’s because the 5-foot-10, 220-pound returning all-state rusher is widely regarded as the most physically imposing player in all of Division 6 in the Northern Region.

And according to Coach Michael Lalli, fans — and opponents — haven’t seen anything yet.

“He’s bigger and he’s stronger,” Lalli said of Pace, who boasts a 4.47 time in the 40 and a 33-inch vertical leap. “This is the first season where he’s really worked out hard because he didn’t play basketball and he went to work with different trainers to work on his body.

“So he should be a little better built to take the pounding that he’s going to take this year.”

But it’s much more than mere physical attributes that Lalli expects will add some umph to Pace’s game this season. Perhaps even more importantly, he’s progressed from a mental standpoint as well.

“He’s just more prepared this year,” Lalli said. “His knowledge of the game is far better, and so we can use him in different positions. He understands football now, where as two years ago he was just a big kid with a big body. Now he’s got more flexibility with the understanding of how to play football.”

That will be key for the Chargers this season, because while they rank among the favorites to win the Concorde District crown, they return only eight starters from a year ago. On offense, the count is three returning offensive lineman and Pace.

“I think offensively we’re going to have to try and mix things up a little more and throw it a little more to keep people out of the box and focused on Torrian all the time,” Lalli said. “I don’t know if we’ll be quite as explosive offensively as we were last year, but we’ll be able to do some stuff and we’ll be pretty good. We have kids who can make some plays for us out there.”

Chantilly also has what is expected to be a much-improved defense to rely upon.

“Even though the kids who are out there now didn’t necessarily get a ton of playing time or weren’t technically starters a year ago, we do have a lot of guys with experience coming back there,” Lalli said. “And with that, we’re playing with a lot more confidence, too.”

A Tradition of Excellence

Lalli pointed out that for the past eight season, a team from the Concorde District has advanced not just to the Virginia AAA state playoffs —  but all the way to the championship game. In fact, 10 of the last 12 title games have been host to a representative from the league that is often classified as the best in the state.

Chantilly started the streak with its own title run in 1996, following by a Robinson championship in 1997, a Centreville crown in 2000 and another Rams victory in 2001. Oakton then took a turn, finishing as the state runner-up in 2002, followed by a Westfield victory in 2003, a Robinson appearance in 2004, an Oakton win in 2005, a Chantilly appearance in 2006. Westfield’s second state title capped a 15-0 campaign in 2007.

Now that is history.

“Being in the district that we’re in, every year there is someone who is expected to go to the state title game, whether it’s an unexpected team like us two years ago or Westfield that was expected last year,” Lalli said. “Either way, you know you’re going to have great competition even when there’s not one clear-cut No. 1 team. We still always know that we’re going to be challenged pretty much every week, whether it’s going to be from a superstar individual athlete or just a great team playing together.

“Winning never comes easy around here.”

Taking the Reigns

Replacing the dynamic Austin Decker at quarterback for the Chargers will be senior Roger Strittmatter, who transfered to Chantilly from Paul VI a year ago.

Strittmatter (6-1, 215) is more of a drop-back passer than the elusive Decker, but will benefit from working behind an offensive line that returns three starters, including standout senior guard Isaac Sine.

“Roger’s had a year with us, and he’s really progressed,” Lalli said. “He’s doing a really good job right now. He’s more of a passer than he is a runner, but he’s coming along with the running game, too. The biggest thing is he’s a smart player with the ball.

“He understands his role well and he makes good decisions. That’s all we’re asking of him.”
 
Quotable

“This is a very confident group. Sometimes a little too confident. But they’re hard working — it’s the strongest group we’ve had in four years in the weight room — and that’s where they get the confidence from. We just have to get that confidence and focus it in the right areas.”
    — Chantilly Coach Michael Lalli

** Note: DigitalSports’ Preseason Top 10 was chosen by staff members Angela Watts, Jimmy Thomas and Phil Murphy with input from randomly-selected coaches around the Northern Region.

Email: awatts@digitalsports.com

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By Jimmy Thomas
Content Editor, DigitalSports.com

Beach Bums … But Not Quite

In 1992m eight players approached Lake Braddock field hockey Coach Diane Miller about doing something a little different for the preseason. After the required approval, the team and some parents packed up and headed to the Outer Banks in North Carolina.

“I thought this would be a one year thing,” said Miller. “But here we are 16 years later and still doing it every summer.”

Much to Miller’s surprise, the upcoming senior parents were already volunteering for next year. Their first few years there were a combination of a few fathers and mothers attending, but over the past nine years it has turned into “senior moms only” going to supervise. 

Although the trip is meant to be a bonding experience for the players, the training regimen is quite extraordinary. At 8 a.m. the team meets in front of the house in which everyone on the trip stays. After a some warm-ups and stretching, the team heads out on a morning run that can last anywhere from three to seven miles. A team mom will follow the group to ensure everyone’s safety. 

Returning around 9 a.m., most of the girls hit the beach for a few hours before the afternoon practice. At 2:45 p.m., the girls meet in front the house again before heading out on their second run of the day to their designated practice field, which is just under a mile and a half away. After a two-hour practice the team makes the run back to the house for a dinner prepared by the parents.

Last years Bruins ran a total of 38 miles in six days. 

The evening is used to relax and enjoy activities that have been planned months in advance. This years theme  was “Olympic like”
activities. Video and pictures are taken throughout the week and are usually a big hit among the players when a CD is made at years’ end.

“The training is an integral part of the trip, but there is also the team bonding aspect,” Miller said. “It has been good for the girls to get to know each other and learn to play more as a team.

“All in all, the trips have been a great source of fun and have led to relatively successful seasons for Lake Braddock. As the coach I am incredibly lucky to be associated, year-after-year, with great kids and parents.”

Note: Lake
Braddock senior and All-Patriot District selection Sarah Morehouse tore
her ACL during the summer and will not be able to play this season.
Sarah will have reconstructive surgery on Aug. 26 but will no doubt
continue to be a leader from the sidelines.

Key Losses
Lyndsey Butler (WT) — 1st team all-Met; Faith Adams (LG) — 1st team all-Met; Ashley Kimener (OK) – 2nd team all-Met; Meg Thaxton (WT) — 2nd team all-Met; Katie Knapp (LG) – honorable mention all-Met.

Players to Watch
Amanda Crider (MR) — 1st team all-Met; Katie Klatt (LB) — 2nd team all-Met; Megan Rea (SC) — honorable mention all-Met; Lisa Charney (FX) — honorable mention all-Met; Danielle Filipponi (OK); Pilar Lopez-Gomez (OK); Shelby Storosh (FX); Annie Stephens (LB); Ann Marie Gambescia (LB); Linzi Burnstein (TC); Noel Van Aartrijk (LE); Autumn Rodgers (LE); Mary Beth Barham (WT); Shelly Montgomery (WT).

Teams to Watch
Lake Braddock — The Bruins went undefeated in the regular-seaon last year and return 12 seniors; Oakton — Last season’s Northern Region runner-up returns 13 varsity players, including four starters; Woodson — The defending Northern Region champions; Westfield, South County, Langley and Edison.

Games to Watch
Oakton at Lake Braddock, Aug. 25; Oakton at W.T. Woodson, Sept. 2; Langley at Oakton, Sept. 12; W.T. Woodson at Lake Braddock, Sept. 15; Edison at Westfield, Sept. 15; Langley at W.T. Woodson, Sept. 25.

Email: jthomas@digitalsports.com

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By Phil Murphy
Content Editor, DigitalSports.com

** Check out the video player below the Northern Region round-up to see highlights and between-hole interviews with Oakton junior Amanda Steinhagen from a practice round at the International Country Club in Fairfax on Aug. 7.

The high school golfer with the sweetest swing in state of Virginia likely drives the sweetest car, too.

And she’s only had the keys for a month.

“I have a 2007 Mustang Shelby GT,” said Oakton junior Amanda Steinhagen, defending VHSL AAA State golf champion. “It’s white with silver stripes and has a charcoal interior. But I’m not like a ********, over-the-speed-limit driver. My parents will take it away with the first ticket I get.”

Although she can’t go full throttle on the road – parentally prohibited from utilizing the Shelby’s 319 horsepower and power to go 0-60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds – at 16, Steinhagen has already experienced a lap of luxury on the links that most golfers will never encounter.

This summer she traveled to South Carolina for the United States Golf Association (USGA) sectional qualifier at Spring Valley Country Club on June 23. Steinhagen shot a 73 to finished tied for fourth and earn a berth in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship in West Hartford, Conn. on July 22.

“Going down [to South Carolina] I didn’t think I’d actually qualify,” said Steinhagen, who made the cut for the Girls’ Junior Nationals by a single stroke. “I was a little bit close to the cut line, but happy to go. Then, I went to the USGA, which is a huge deal.

“Going in there, I was a little nervous because it’s all the top girls in the country.”

If she had nerves, she didn’t show them.

Steinhagen shot 77-73 for a two-day total of 150 in stroke play, earning a spot in the 64-player, match-play field. Although she fell in the first round, 1-up, to No. 4-ranked Pearl Jin, Steinhagen recognizes what an accomplish it was to make the cut in Hartford.

“You know, I lost, but you can’t win everything,” said Steinhagen, who captured the 2007 Virginia girls’ golf title by four strokes over teammate Lauren Greenlief. “The girl who beat me will be No. 1 in the country by the time she’s my age.

“I played really well. I’m not displeased. It was a huge honor to play there, and especially play that well and make the top 64. I’m really excited and proud that I made the cut, because not many girls get to do that.”

Her maturity and focus are not lost on Oakton coach Jack Masich.

“She’s a very disciplined golfer,” Masich said. “When she gets into trouble, she doesn’t make more trouble. That comes from a lot of tournament experience.”

With the respect of her coach and all-male corps of Cougar teammates, Steinhagen balances her determination and Tiger-like competitive edge with a sweet, genuine demeanor. Her bag features several personal mementos, including a furry, dog club head cover.

“That’s Freddy, he’s my miniature schnauzer,” she said. “I missed him when I was out of town for the tournaments for three weeks.”

In the brutally tough Concorde District, which features state team runner-up champion Chantilly and third-place Westfield, Oakton will need her leadership and experience to contend. 

A little confidence from the star junior couldn’t hurt either.

“There are some girls down in southern Virginia that are really good competition and they play really well,” said Steinhagen, who alongside seniors Scott Miller and Matt Ellis and junior Graham Lawyer will keep the Cougars in the hunt for the Concorde  District title.  “But I definitely consider myself at least top four – maybe top three – in the entire state.

“Hopefully, states this year for girls will be pretty good to me and varsity states will be good to us, too.”

What to Watch Around the Rest of the Northern Region

Concorde District

Arguably home the top four teams in the Northern Region. Oakton had the state boys’ and girls’ individual champions last year (Danny Kim and Amanda Steinhagen) – Steinhagen won by four strokes over teammate Lauren Greenlief. … Chantilly is among top teams in the state with junior Victor Monte and sophomore Ji Soo Park, who one area coached called, “A star in the making.” Park won Bobby Bowers Tournament this summer to qualify for USGA Junior Nationals in River Bend, Ohio. But the Chargers will need some younger golfers to step up to counter Westfield’s depth. … Last season Chantilly finished second in state (599) and Westfield took third (600). … Westfield is extremely deep, with one coach calling top six, “Solid and virtually interchangeable.” Westfield sophomore Sabril Brewer finished fifth in girls’ state last year as a freshman.

Liberty District

Langley senior Brigitte Baker finished fourth in girls’ state last year and won the Liberty District title. … Stone Bridge senior Russell Moore finished second in Liberty District tournament, three strokes behind Baker. … Madison senior Sophia Montenegro finished tied for ninth at states in 2007 while Langley senior Sindy Lee placed 14th. … Langley finished third in the Northern Region (the highest non-Concorde District team) and is the defending Liberty District champion. … Madison, which finished eight strokes behind Langley in the league championships, placed  fourth in last year’s Northern Region tournament.

National District

Edison returns all of their top six golfers, including senior team captain Shay Nimjareansuk. … Edison sophomore April Nimjareansuk finished 25th in state a year ago, the only National District girl to compete in both rounds of the state tournament.

Patriot District

Lake Braddock is the defending district champion and nearly all of last year’s contributing golfers return. … South County and West Potomac finished tied for second. … South County senior Steve Slocum won the individual Patriot District title. He is one of six returning players and for a team that also has a large freshman class. … West Potomac, last year’s dark horse, will be led by senior Forrest Wilson, who played US Junior Amateur in Shoal Creek, Ala. The Wolverines also expect contributions from seniors Arthur Genuario and Danny Peterson. West Potomac lost two of its top six to graduation and one more to a transfer. … Lake Braddock sophomore Kenny Towns took 61st in state as a freshman. … Hayfield may surprise with a cast of young, experienced golfers.

Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com

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Again this fall DigitalSports.com will be your source for all Northern Region
high school sports coverage. We’ll start with our team-by-team preseason football
previews, which will debut on Saturday, August 9.

The
first 20 football teams will be previewed at random — one to two teams per
day — and then beginning August 19 we’ll be unveiling DigitalSports’
Northern Region Preseason Football Top 10. Our preseason coverage will
conclude on August 28 with the preview of our No. 1 team … just hours before the high school football season kicks off!

Previews will also run for the other five fall sports as follows:
   
    * Co-Ed Varsity Golf on Aug. 11
    * Girls’ Varsity Field Hockey on Aug. 20
    * Girls’ Varsity Volleyball on Aug. 26
    * Co-Ed Varsity Cheerleading on Sept. 1
    * Boys’ and Girls’ Varsity Cross County on Sept. 3

Stay with DigitalSports.com … and get inside the game!

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