Congratulations 64th Annual Awards Winners!
The Covid-19 pandemic has postponed the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of these outstanding students and volunteers with full-scale banquet, but the Better Sports Club quickly improvised a "drive-in" ceremony to deliver these trophies, complete with our traditional master of ceremonies, Byron Kerr. Be sure to view the slide show at the bottom of the page. Read more about the award event here InsideNOVA.
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High School Student Athlete Awards
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Baseball Sportsman of the Year
Alec Ellison Alec has been a key player on the Yorktown baseball team. The outfielder helped lead the Patriots to back-to-back regional semifinal appearances in 2018 and 2019. He is the founder and President of ASAP, a club that helps integrate students whose first language is not English into the Yorktown community. Alec will be attending the University of Rochester in the fall and will play baseball. |
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Basketball Sportswoman of the Year
Virginia Cochran Gigi is a three-year member of Yorktown’s varsity. During her career the sharp-shooter nailed 52 percent of her 3-point attempts and shot 83 percent from the free-throw line. Gigi is a member of the Environmental Club and a volunteer coach in the county’s recreational youth basketball program. She will attend Virginia Tech in the fall. |
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Basketball Sportsman of the Year
Max Gieseman Max is a three-year member of Washington-Liberty’s varsity. For the 2019-2020 season, he was named first team All-District, second team All-Region, and the Arlington Sun Gazette’s Arlington Player of the Year. Max is a 2020 recipient of Arlington Magazine’s Extraordinary Teen Award and a volunteer at Tuckahoe Elementary. He will attend the University of Miami this fall. |
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Cheer Sportswoman of the Year
Jaiden Kearns Jaiden earned first team All-District honors as a senior, leading Washington-Liberty to a second-place district finish. She was inducted into the American Sign Language Honor Society this past winter and has volunteered with the Arlington 5K 9-11 run. At the time of this award announcement, Jaiden was undecided on her future plans. |
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Crew Sportswoman of the Year
Ellie Walsh Ellie has been part of Washington-Liberty’s crew team for four years and a major part of its success, rowing with the Varsity-8 state champions in 2019. She started her own club at W-L called Action Team to promote community service in Arlington and works directly with the Arlington Food Assistance Center and other charities. This fall, Ellie will be rowing for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. |
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Crew Sportsman of the Year
Michael Zuppas Michael was a member of Washington-Liberty’s top eight as a junior–the only non-senior in the boat. His coach describes him as a “boat mover” because he is such a dominant rower. For the past two years, Michael has traveled to Mexico to help build houses for the less fortunate. This fall, Michael will be part of the varsity lightweight rowing program at the University of Delaware. |
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Cross Country Sportswoman of the Year
Lizzie Vinci Lizzie has run on a varsity cross country team for four years, two years with Bishop O’Connell’s after her family moved here from California. She earned All-State recognition. She has been involved in Girls Scouts since kindergarten and is a soup kitchen volunteer. In the fall, Lizzie will continue running cross country and track while attending Elon University. |
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Cross Country Sportsman of the Year
Albert Velikonja Albert was a two-time cross country regional champion for Yorktown. Not surprisingly, he also excelled in track where he was state champion in the 1600-meter race. Albert helped with making educational videos as a volunteer intern with District Track Club. At the time of this award, he was undecided on his future plans |
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Dance Sportswoman of the Year
Mackenzie Morgan A hard working and dedicated member of the Yorktown Dance Team, Mackenzie has won several technique awards. This past year she tried out for and made the National Dance Alliances All American Team. Mackenzie volunteered for Best Buddies events at Yorktown and dedicated many weekends to a local shelter for homeless teen mothers. She will attend the University of Florida in the fall. |
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Field Hockey Sportswoman of the Year
Natalia Uro De Leon Natalia first made the Wakefield varsity field hockey team in 2017, and has been a key team member from the start. Her drive to improve made her stand out, and she earned second-team All-District honors as a senior. Natalia volunteers with the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation, participating in kayak stream clean-ups. She will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall. |
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Football Sportsman of the Year
Evan Rotker Evan is a three-year varsity receiver for Yorktown, and earned second-team All-Region honors as a senior with 37 receptions for 490 yards and 6 touchdowns. He is a member of the National Honor Society and Communications Director for his Jewish Youth Group. Evan will attend the University of Michigan in the fall. |
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Girls Golf Sportswoman of the Year
Kaiya Mitchell Kaiya has qualified for regionals all four years she has been on the Washington-Liberty golf team and participated in the state tournament since she was a sophomore. She has devoted more than 200 hours teaching disabled students to skate and started a mentor program to help eighth grade girls transition to high school. This fall, Kaiya will be attending the University of San Diego. |
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Boys Golf Sportsman of the Year
Charlie Finn Charlie earned second-team All-District honors as a senior and helped lead the Patriots to the Arlington County championship and a runner-up finish at the Liberty District tournament. He has worked on the Yorktown Sentry school newspaper for three years and went on a church mission trip to help impoverished communities in rural Kentucky. This fall, Charlie will be a freshman at Georgia Tech. |
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Gymnastics Sportswoman of the Year
Maddie Kuzdzal During her four years as a gymnast at Washington-Liberty, Maddie was part of the Generals’ 2018 and 2019 regional champion teams, earning the respect of her teammates, coaches, judges and opponents due to her positive attitude and work ethic. She participated in the Best Buddies program at W-L and served as a yearbook editor. Maddie will be a pre-med student at the University of Pittsburgh in the fall. |
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Ice Hockey Sportsman of the Year
Brendan Fielman Brendan was a key contributor on the ice for Bishop O’Connell’s 2018 state championship team. He earned second team All-Conference honors in 2019 and was named honorable mention All-Met by The Washington Post. Brendan volunteered at the Powhatan nursing home and helped special needs children at Franklin Sherman Elementary School. He will be attending Virginia Tech in the fall. |
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Lacrosse Sportswoman of the Year
Kate Burke A leader on the Yorktown lacrosse team throughout her high school career, Kate led the Patriots to the state semi-finals in 2019 and led the Liberty District in goals scored. She was named first team All-State and honorable mention All-Met by The Washington Post. Kate volunteered as a youth lacrosse coach and with the Freshmen Mentor Program at Yorktown. This fall, she will be attending and playing lacrosse at Middlebury College. |
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Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year
Luke Helfgott Luke has been a starter on varsity attack since his freshman year and, despite missing his senior season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is seventh all-time in scoring at Yorktown. He was a three-time first-team All-District selection and earned first-team All-Region honors in 2019. Luke was approachable and welcoming to all team members regardless of skill level or grade. He will be playing lacrosse next season at Hampden-Sydney College. |
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Rifle Sportswoman of the Year
Zillia Dollinger A four-year starter on Yorktown’s varsity rifle team, Zillia led the team in scoring her junior and senior season, with a season average of 281, the highest season average for any Arlington high school rifle competitor. She is a member of the Yorktown Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, and volunteered as a Fauquier Health Medical Explorer. This fall, Zillia will be a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University. |
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Soccer Sportswoman of the Year
Lucy Robinson Lucy was a four-year starter on the Washington-Liberty soccer team, a constant, commanding presence on the defensive line. She was named second-team All-District in her junior season as a defensive player who also contributed on the offensive end. Lucy was a committed volunteer at the Thomas Jefferson Community Garden where all the produce grown was donated to the Arlington Food Assistance Center. This fall, Lucy will be kicking the ball and attending school at Colby College. |
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Soccer Sportsman of the Year
Joseph Core After being named first-team All-Conference, second-team All-Region, and honorable mention All-Met by The Washington Post, Joseph was poised for a super senior season at Washington-Liberty, having accumulated five goals and three assists in two preseason scrimmages. Joe volunteered with his church helping to build a home for a family in need in Arlington. He will be attending and playing soccer at The College of William & Mary. |
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Softball Sportswoman of the Year
Jada Lansing Jada has been a key player for Yorktown for the past three seasons. An honorable mention All-District pitcher in 2019, she often entered games in tough situations to shut down opponents’ rallies and record key saves. Jada is a volunteer with the Best Buddies program and a talented artist who has received numerous awards for her art projects. She will be attending Virginia Tech in the Fall. |
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Swim & Dive Sportswoman of the Year
Natalie English A standout performer for the Yorktown state-titlist girls’ swim team, the word most ascribe to Natalie is “first.” As a senior at the district swim meet, she finished first in 200 medley relay, 50 free, 100 free, 200 free relay (district record) and was named first-team All-District. At regions, she and her Yorktown teammates set a new region record in the 200 medley relay. Natalie volunteered at her church, leading youth group service projects to help incapacitated and disadvantaged people in our local community. In the fall, you will find Natalie in the classroom and in the pool at Dennison University. |
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Swim & Dive Sportsman of the Year
Adi Kambhampaty Adi holds five team records at Washington-Liberty–two individual and three relays. He earned first place finishes at the Virginia State meets in 2018 and 2019, both of which earned him an automatic All-American nomination. Adi was selected to participate in the Virginia Space Coast Scholars summer academy and is a member of the W-L Quiz Bowl team. He will attend Carnegie Mellon University in the fall. |
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Tennis Sportswomen of the Year
Mila Sampson Mila and her twin sister Sophie have been top singles and doubles players for Yorktown throughout their high school years. As a senior, Mila was undefeated in singles district and regional matches, helping the Patriots to win the Liberty District crown. Mila has volunteered with the Arlington Food Assistance Center and was President of the YHS Photography Club. She will attend the University of Georgia in the fall. |
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Sophie Sampson
Sophie and her twin sister Mila have been top singles and double players for Yorktown throughout their high school years. Sophie had an overwhelmingly winning record since her freshman season and has received All-District honors. She volunteers as a freshman mentor and tutors at Glebe Elementary School. Sophie will attend the University of South Carolina in the fall. |
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Tennis Sportsman of the Year
Aidan Stroup Aidan’s overall record during his tennis career at Yorktown was 30-12 for both singles and doubles. He was the team’s #2 player and a #1 doubles player for the 2019 Liberty Conference champions. Aidan volunteers at his church and runs his own summer camp teaching kids ages 8-13 to play basketball and tennis. He will attend the University of North Carolina in the fall. |
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Track and Field Sportswoman of the Year
Madilyn Henshaw Madilyn has been a member of the Yorktown track team since she was a freshman, running in the district meet each year and qualifying for regions as a senior. She is a school record holder as part of the Patriots’ 4x200 relay team. Madilyn was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and also served as a Transfer Student Mentor. She will be attending Pepperdine University in the fall. |
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Track and Field Sportsman of the Year
Isaiah Mefford As a senior at Wakefield, Isaiah led the Warriors indoor track team in multiple events, including the 4x200 relay, 300 meter and 55 meter races, shot put and long jump. He won the Virginia 6A State Championship in long jump. Isaiah was a member of the Wakefield Chamber Orchestra and volunteered at numerous Special Olympic events. Isaiah will play football and run track at Washington and Lee University in the fall. |
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Ultimate Sportswoman of the Year
Abby Lewis Abby’s coach stated that Abby will be the hardest player to replace on her team. While the skills for ultimate–throwing, catching, cutting–can be taught easily, Abby’s mindset of equity, fair competitiveness, optimism grounded in realism, and acceptance of others takes a lifetime. Abby will be attending Loyola University in the fall. |
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Ultimate Sportsman of the Year
Andrew London Andrew started playing ultimate as a sophomore but made the A team that same year based on his athletic ability, relentless positivity and diligent effort. His earnestness and intensity were admired by his peers who elected him team captain as a junior. Andrew also is an outstanding singer; he nabbed the lead role in H-B Woodlawn’s school musical and has been selected for regional choirs. Andrew will attend the University of Virginia in the fall. |
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Volleyball Sportswomen of the Year
Skye Ferris Skye is a four-year volleyballer at Bishop O’Connell and was a key member of the Knights’ 2016 state championship team. As a senior, she was named first team All-Conference, first team All-State, and second-team All-Met by The Washington Post. Skye is a long-time volunteer with the Northern Virginia area Special Olympics swim team. She will attend the University of Virginia in the fall. |
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Volleyball Sportswoman of the Year
Katherine Sheire Katherine has been the starting outside hitter for Washington-Liberty for four years. She earned second-team All-State honors as a senior, after leading the Generals to the state semifinals, the most successful season in W-L history. Katherine is president and founder of the environmental club at W-L and volunteers at Brookdale Senior Living. This fall, she will be attending and playing volleyball at Brown University. |
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Wrestling Sportsman of the Year
Will Hurst A four-year wrestler at Yorktown, Will saved his best for last. As a senior, he was the Cavalier Classic champion and finished second in the Liberty District, sixth at regionals, and had a final record of 27-8. Will is the co-founder of the fly fishing club at Yorktown and recently started managing an orchard to sell apples for cidermaking. He will attend Liberty University this fall. |
Adult Awards
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President's Award
Chris Valtin and Kim Valtin The Better Sports Club has four key leadership positions – President, Vice President/Banquet Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Over the past six years, Chris and Kim have served in all four positions, sometimes more than once, and continuing today. During this time, the Club’s membership has increased and the Annual Awards Banquet has remained one of Arlington’s most cherished community traditions. Kim continues to expand and improve the menu and format of the Club’s monthly dinner meetings. Also during their time at the helm of the Better Sports Club, they got married! |
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High School Coach of the Year
Aubrey Mosley Since becoming the head volleyball coach at Washington-Liberty in 2015, Coach Mosley has built a competitive and successful program, culminating in 2019 with district and region championships and a historic run to the Virginia State semifinals. Key to this success has been open communication–all players are aware of and involved in setting the team’s goals, plan and purpose. This emphasis on communication is just one way Coach Mosley works to assure her players value their teammates’ successes just as much as they value their own. |
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Sportsperson of the Year
Noel Deskins A native Arlingtonian, Noel recently retired after serving as Director of Student Activities at Wakefield High School for almost 30 years. She is perhaps best known as “Warrior One” and is said to bleed green and white. Talk to Wakefield students and alumni, and you will hear many comments such as “I would never have gone to college if not for Ms. Deskins,” or “I would never have become a basketball coach if not for Ms. Deskins,” or “I would have gotten into a lot more trouble than I did” if not for Ms. Deskins. Noel’s deep caring for and belief in her Wakefield students defined her career as an educator. The Better Sports Club of Arlington is proud to name Noel Deskins as its 2020 Sportsperson of the Year. |
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