Congratulations 65th Annual Awards Recipients!
The Better Sports Club of Arlington presented its 65th Annual Student-Athlete of the Year and and a few adult awards on June 9, in the Barcroft Park/Tucker Field baseball stadium. The air cooled and the threat of rain passed for a wonderful evening celebrating youth sports in Arlington. Byron Kerr was the master of ceremonies for the tenth year and provided great commentary on recipients and their incredible and vast achievements. Read more about this event here InsideNOVA.
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Ainsley Pollock, Female High School Athlete of the Year
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Lukai Hatcher, Male High School Athlete of the Year
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High School Student Athlete Awards
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Male High School Student-Athlete of the Year
Lukai Hatcher During his four years as a Wakefield High School Warrior, Lukai essentially won “The Triple Crown,” having earned All-Region honors in football, basketball, and track and field. In fact, he earned a “Triple Crown” in football alone, being named All-Region as a wide receiver, defensive back, and punt returner. Lukai also was a successful recruiter for the team. Last year during COVID-19, he rallied members of the basketball and football teams together for conditioning workouts. Not only did Lukai help keep these players in good physical condition, but he also encouraged some of the guys to join the football team—people who had not played before. This past year, Lukai started an Activism Group to address racial disparities in high school sports and officiating. He also was an active participant in Wakefield’s Readers Are Leaders program at Arlington elementary schools. All the young readers wanted to be in Lukai’s group. Lukai will be playing football at Old Dominion University in the fall. |
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Baseball Sportsman of the Year
Jakob Mandleur Jakob is a three-year varsity baseball player at Washington-Liberty High School. As a sophomore, he pitched in seven games for the Generals. Jakob missed his junior season due to COVID-19, as did many high school baseball players across the country, and was thrilled to get back on the mound as a senior. Coach Kevin Healy says of Jakob, "It would be hard to find a better teammate." Jakob not only is an excellent athlete, he has also volunteered his time to help with Arlington Little League's Opening Day events and at Challenger games. Jakob plans to spend his first semester in Italy and then will attend the University of South Florida next year. |
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Basketball Sportswoman of the Year
Ioanna Lincoln Ioanna is an outstanding point guard at Wakefield High School. She was Wakefield’s 2020-2021 Most Valuable Player, and was named to the first team All-National-District and second team All-Region. Yet Coach Jamar Hicks is even more impressed with Ioanna’s tireless efforts to give back to the local community, including her unique bond with the Special Olympics program. Ioanna will attend and play basketball at Northern Virginia Community College in the fall. |
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Basketball Sportsman of the Year
Marty Casserly Marty is a four-year member of the accomplished O’Connell High School basketball program. As an undersized center, he brought strong energy and physical play every time he took the court. Coach Joe Wootten says of Marty, “Most players are worried about themselves, but Marty always put the team first. As the coach at O’Connell for 22 years, I can tell you that type of attitude is rare and it was a true joy to coach.” Marty has also volunteered with the Gophers Special Olympics basketball team and helped repair homes with the Appalachia Service Project. Marty will attend Clemson University in the fall. |
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Cheer Sportswoman of the Year
Raegan Willis Raegan served as a dedicated and enthusiastic captain of the Wakefield High Scool cheer team and was named first team All-District and second team All-Region for four consecutive years. She also is a two-time All-District softball player. Raegan is also a volunteer instructor at cheer camps and helps with grounds maintenance at local pre-schools. At Wakefield, she served as Vice President of the Black Student Union club and the American Sign Language club. Raegan will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall. |
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Crew Sportswoman of the Year
Emma Huther Emma faced a number of challenges during her five years as a coxswain in the Washington-Liberty High School crew program, but met them all in positive ways. As a freshman, she could not participate on the novice team because she had been on the team as an eigth-grader – something only Arlington allows – and then her junior season was canceled due to COVID-19. As a senior, she was named team captain and varsity first-eight coxswain. Emma is an International Baccalaureate degree candidate. She lived with a host family in Costa Rica for six weeks and taught classes at a local elementary school as an AMIGO de las Americas volunteer. Emma will be attending Northeastern University in the fall. |
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Crew Sportsman of the Year
Luke Snyder Luke is a second-year co-captain of the Bishop O’Connell High School crew team. With Luke’s powerful and consistent rowing in the stroke seat, the O’Connell men’s fours boat has seen considerable success, including a second-place finish in the WMIRA state championship race. During the COVID-related school shutdown, Luke worked at Giant Food, filling online orders and serving customers who were not comfortable entering the store. Luke will attend Bucknell University in the fall. |
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Cross Country Sportswoman of the Year
Piper Dean Piper is one of the top high school runners in the state, and possibly the country. This Yorktown student is a two-time Virginia High School League All-State cross country runner, and the 2019 indoor track state champion in the 3200-meter race. Piper also is a soccer player and one of the top defenders in the state. She volunteers at Wheels to Africa, fixing bikes to send to children there. She additionally served as a mentor for students transferring into Yorktown. Piper will attend and run for Carleton College in the fall. |
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Cross Country Sportsman of the Year
Lachlan Stevens Lachlan has been a scoring member of Yorktown High School’s cross country team for several years. He finished 20th in the 2020 Virginia state championship race. Despite losing his junior season to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lachlan continued to train and entered his senior year in even better shape. When not running, Lachlan was involved in an FBI program that studies cyber stem technology and also volunteered at the Gulf Branch Nature Center. Lachlan will be running at Northwestern University in the fall. |
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Dance Sportswoman of the Year
Bridget Zecher Bridget lettered on the Yorktown High School varsity dance team all four years of high school. She competed with her team at Nationals as a freshman. As a senior co-captain, she led the Patriots dance team to a fourth-place finish in a new competitive division and a virtual competition. Bridget is a National Honor Society member and served as a freshman mentor. She also volunteered at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s Walk for the Animals and appeared in a Yorktown Theatre production entitled A Zombie Extravanganza. Bridget will attend The University of Virginia this fall. |
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Field Hockey Sportswoman of the Year
Lucy Stanley Lucy has been described as “The One to Watch,” since she could slip around multiple defenders, make great passes, and shut down the opposition’s best players. Lucy was named District Player of the Year and first team All-Region in 2021, when she led the Washington-Liberty High School Generals to their first-ever appearance in the Northern Region finals – a feat that in any other year would have qualified the team for the State tournament. Lucy is a member of the National Honor Society and has volunteered with Top Soccer to help children with disabilities learn to play the game. Lucy will be attending Colgate University this fall. |
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Football Sportsman of the Year
Andrew Bolfek Andrew has been quarterback for Washington-Liberty High School since his freshman year. As a junior, he led the Generals to their best record in three seasons. During his senior season, he completed 60 percent of his passes, threw for more than 1,200 yards, and earned honorable mention All-Conference honors. Andrew is a three-sport athlete, also competing for Washington-Liberty’s swim and baseball teams. Yet he still found time to work as a lifeguard at the Washington-Liberty pool and served on the Principal’s Advisory Board. Andrew will attend The University of Virginia in the fall. |
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Golf Sportswoman of the Year
Elena Rezac According to Yorktown High School Golf Coach, Chris Williams, Elena has grown from a shy, new freshman from New Jersey to a vocal team leader who values the team’s success over her individual accomplishments. This past season, she helped lead the Patriots to a second-place finish in the Northern Region championship, the team’s best finish since 1995. But don’t overlook her individual accomplishments – she qualified for regionals all four years and was named first team All-Liberty District in 2021. Elena is a member of the National Honor Society and volunteered at an elementary school helping students with homework. Elena will continue her education and golfing career at Christopher Newport University in the fall. |
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Golf Sportsman of the Year
Samuel Obitts Sam played four years of golf at Yorktown High School, was named first team All-Liberty District as a senior, and stepped into a leadership role for the county champion and regional runner-up Patriots. Sam’s efforts in reaching out to the younger members of the team, especially the freshman, boosted their confidence and helped lower the team’s score as the season progressed. When not on the golf course or playing ice hockey for the Patriots, Sam served as a Young Life Student Leader and volunteered with the Knights of Columbus Meal Delivery Program for Shut-Ins. Sam will continue his education and golfing career at Wheaton College in the fall. |
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Gymnastics Sportswoman of the Year
Desta Sahle Desta lettered in gymnastics at Washington-Liberty High School for four years. She was a member of the Generals’ District and Regional champion teams in 2019, 2020, and 2021. A three-time individual event state qualifier, Desta was the regional floor champ in 2020 and runner-up on beam and floor exercise in 2021. Desta is a member of the National Honor Society and a staff volunteer at Virginia Hospital Center. She will attend the University of North Carolina next fall. |
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Ice Hockey Sportsman of the Year
Riley McGraw Riley made the Bishop O’Connell High School ice hockey team as a freshman, which is hard to do, according to Coach Flip Collins. Riley’s senior season was canceled due to COVID-19, but in his three seasons of play, Riley scored 12 goals and recorded 29 assists. He even played a few games with a broken back! Riley is also a volunteer coach for the Arlington Knights middle school hockey team and he mentors other teenagers in nutrition, fitness, and general life skills. |
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Lacrosse Sportswoman of the Year
Ellie Cowan Yorktown Coach Jenny Tran said Ellie “exemplifies a positive attitude and has an infectious smile the minute she walks into the locker room.” Ellie has been smiling, and making coaches smile, for four years of field hockey as well as lacrosse at Yorktown High School. She received All-Conference first team honors as a sophomore and was selected to be a team captain this year. She is a very passionate Executive Board Leader for A Strawless Sea Club. Her goal is to minimize the use of single-use plastic across Arlington County and the greater Delmarva area. Ellie will be attending The University of Virginia this fall. |
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Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year
Gabe Margosis Gabe is a three-year starter as goalie for the Yorktown High School lacrosse team. He was voted second-team All-Conference as a sophomore, and as a two-year team captain has led the Patriots to winning streaks and shutouts. Gabe’s coaches describe him as another coach on the field who keeps the team focused. Off the lacrosse field, he is vice president of the Rocketry Club at H. B. Woodlawn and volunteered for a food drive conducted by the Restaurant Opportunities Center. Gabe will be attending and playing lacrosse for the College of Wooster in the fall. |
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Rifle Sportsman of the Year
Joseph Servidio With perseverance and a positive attitude, Joey consistently put time into training and seeking out range time between seasons to keep himself on an upward track. His efforts paid off this year as he had the high score for the Washington-Liberty High School team in one of his matches, followed by posting the team’s high score at the Regional Championship. Joey is also an Eagle Scout and is active in the Order of the Arrow, having earned the Golden Tooth award for cheerful service to others. Additionally, Joey is a concert and symphonic band member at H-B Woodlawn. |
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Soccer Sportswoman of the Year
Lilly Neubauer Lilly has been a starter on the Bishop O’Connell High School varsity soccer team for three years. According to Coach Alberto Starace, Lilly is a young woman determined to succeed in everything she does. During the course of her senior year, Lilly scored five goals in seven games, including four game-winners, leading the Lady Knights to a season record of six wins, no losses, and one tie. Lilly is also involved in the Best Buddies and Our Minds Matter clubs at O’Connell, and volunteered with Food for Others. Additionally, Lilly is a member of the Spanish Honor Society. Lilly will be attending High Point University in the fall. |
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Soccer Sportsman of the Year
Eric Serpas Eric is most often described as a small but crafty soccer player who always looks to move the team forward with great passes, and works hard to help his team defend. In other words, the player every coach, including Coach Carrasquillo at Washington-Liberty High School, hopes to have playing center midfield. Off the pitch, Eric is a member of the Latin American Student Association and the Washington-Liberty Athletic Council. He is also active in the Best Buddies club, where he has made friends with several special-needs students. Eric will attend Johnson & Wales University in the fall. |
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Softball Sportswoman of the Year
Madison Gayle Bishop O’Connell High School softball coach Suzy Willemssen describes Madison in one simple sentence, “Maddie is more concerned about what she can give than what she can take.” Maddie helped the Knights advance to two Virginia Independent Scholastic Association state championships while playing shortstop, third base, and catcher. Maddie is also a member of the National Honor Society and is an annual volunteer at the Marine Corps Marathon. Maddie will be attending college and playing softball at Drexel University in the fall. |
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Swim & Dive Sportswoman of the Year
Victoria Huske Torri is arguably the most decorated high schooler in Virginia swimming history. And in just a few days, she is expected to swim in at least five events at the U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska. Torri’s high school swimming records include: current national record holder in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter individual medley; current holder of five all-time Virginia High School League State swim records; eight-time individual state champion, and holder of ten Yorktown school records. She never lost an individual race and helped lead the Patriots girls’ swim team to the 2021 state championship. When Coach Ortmayer nominated Torri for this award, he said, “Torri has had a great, team-first attitude and displayed exemplary sportsmanship again and again. I have been honored to work with such a well-rounded individual, whose character is as notable as her stat sheet.” Torri will swim at Stanford University in the fall. This summer, we hope to see her in the Tokyo Olympics! |
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Swim & Dive Sportsman of the Year
Matthew Kress Matthew is a four-year varsity letter earner for the Yorktown High School swim and dive team, swimming in the Liberty District championship meet each year, and in the Northern Region and 6A state championship meets in 2020 and 2021. Known for his selflessness and willingness to enter whatever race the team needed him to swim, Matthew could be counted on to contribute at critical points. Out of the pool, Matthew began leading fundraising efforts for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s “Light the Night” walk after his younger brother was diagnosed with leukemia. He is also a member of the Best Buddies club. Matthew will attend Virginia Tech this fall. |
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Tennis Sportswoman of the Year
Rebecca Wu Rebecca played in the number 6 singles spot for Washington-Liberty as a freshman and has progressed steadily to the number 1 or 2 spot as a senior. She is polite and kind on the court, gaining a reputation for great sportsmanship while also dominating in match play. Rebecca is a straight-A student with a great interest in STEM. She continues to explore opportunities such as researching electric car batteries as part of the Audi Drive Like a Girl competition. Rebecca also led a volunteer event at a senior citizen community to teach residents there to make LED light-up greeting cards for the holidays. Rebecca will continue to pursue her STEM interests at The University of Virginia in the fall. |
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Tennis Sportsman of the Year
Ben Gold Yorktown High School Tennis Coach Chris Seeger describes Ben as one of the most team-oriented players he has ever coached. For the first several weeks this season, he could not play or practice due to an injury, but he was there for every match and practice, helping out however he could. Coach Seeger says Ben was oftentimes more engaged in the matches from the sidelines than some of his teammates who were playing. Off the court, Ben participated in the Model United Nations for seven years. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has been a member of the Yorktown Equity Team since its founding. Ben will attend Duke University in the fall. |
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Track and Field Sportswoman of the Year
Yasmeen Tinsley Yasmeen broke several records while running for Washington-Liberty High School. She is the school record holder in all the hurdle races, as well as the 300-meter dash. She holds the Liberty District record in the 300-meter hurdles and went to states in that event as a freshman. Yasmeen was All-State in the 55-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, and both the 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relays. Yasmeen is also a member and inspirational leader of the Washington-Liberty Black Student Union. She additionally volunteered at a children’s summer camp to help improve the campers’ reading skills. Yasmeen will be attending Monmouth University in the fall. |
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Track and Field Sportsman of the Year
Bilguun Soronzonbold According to Washington-Liberty track and field coach John Bacon, no one works harder than Bill, and no one beats his results. For Washington-Liberty High School’s 2021 indoor track and field team, Bill qualified for regionals in the 500 meter dash, triple jump, the 4 x 200 relay, and the 55 meter hurdles. Off the track, Bill is a member of the National Honor Society and tutors students from Swanson Middle School in Algebra. During the summer between his sophomore and junior years, Bill attended the National Student Leadership Conference program for engineering, where he got to experience the work first hand by designing remote control cars and boats. Bill will be attending Tufts University in the fall. |
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Ultimate Sportswoman of the Year
Kate Marston Kate has been an incredible teammate and leader for the Yorktown High School girls’ ultimate team, and for girls on other teams as well. She has actively recruited new players, organized team zoom workouts during quarantine, and is always trying to organize new ways for girls to play more frisbee. Kate is a strong role model and has a very welcoming presence that inspires a lot of players. She will attend the College of William and Mary in the fall. |
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Ultimate Sportsman of the Year
Luqman Salahdan Luqman has been an enthusiastic Washington-Liberty High School frisbee player and leader for the last four years. He has contributed enormously to keeping frisbee available to under-represented communities during the pandemic. During the past year, Luqman helped design, create, and deliver ways for players to learn and grow as a community while addressing the difficult topics of race and racism in America. He led an anti-racism committee, which hosted multiple events this past year, and coordinated smaller direct efforts to encourage participation by ultimate players from communities of color. Overall, Luqman helped build a sense of community not only within his team but within the larger Arlington frisbee community as well. He will attend Virginia Tech in the fall and continue to play Ultimate. |
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Volleyball Sportswoman of the Year
Sarah Munis Sarah may be a quiet leader, but her play on the court speaks for itself. She played outside hitter her first two years on the Yorktown High School varsity team because that was where she was needed. Sarah earned second team All-Region recognition as a junior – the shortest player to receive that honor. As a senior, she moved to her natural position of Libero/Defensive Specialist, where she was named first team All-Conference and first team All-Region. Sarah is a member of the National Honor Society and has used her digital and social media skills to get the word out for the Newwave Foundation, an organization focused on providing educational opportunities to deserving kids. She also volunteered at the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Sarah will be continuing her education at New York University in the fall. |
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Wrestling Sportsman of the Year
Ahmad Williams Unfortunately, COVID-19 precautions resulted in the cancelation of this year’s wrestling season, depriving Ahmad and all other wrestlers in the county a season of the sport they love. It was particularly unfortunate for Ahmad, who based on his junior season for Washington-Liberty High School, was poised for a breakout season as a senior. As a junior, Ahmad placed in every tournament, defeated all of his Arlington opponents, and went on to compete at regionals. He also played football for the Generals and worked multiple jobs to help his family. Ahmad will attend Northern Virginia Community College in the fall. |
Adult Awards
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High School Coach of the Year
Beth Prange Since becoming the field hockey coach at then Washington-Lee High School in 2006, Coach Prange has developed a popular, competitive program, culminating in 2021 when the Generals finished as Northern Region runners-up, an accomplishment that in a normal year would have taken the team to the State tournament. Coach Prange was voted Liberty District and Northern Region Coach of the Year by her fellow coaches. Key to Coach Prange’s success has been the positive and educational environment she has created, using such methods as “Sister Stick Groups” to build community within the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity team members. Former player and current assistant coach Kirby Clark says of Coach Prange, “Beth has worked tirelessly to grow the field hockey program, elevate the caliber of play, and stay abreast of emerging opportunities for her players. I have seen Beth’s dedication in action, first as a player, and now as an assistant coach. Beth is truly the heart of Washington-Liberty field hockey.” The Better Sports Club is proud to recognize Coach Prange for all she has done to support Arlington’s student-athletes. |
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High School Coach of the Year
Heather Sutphin For years, Yorktown High School softball was dominant in the old National District, routinely winning district championships. But after moving to the new Liberty District, wins were fewer and farther apart. Since Coach Sutphin took over the program in 2017, the team has improved dramatically. The team qualified for the regional tournament in 2018 for the first time since the change in districts, marking an extraordinary return to regional competitiveness. Coach Sutphin is masterful at anticipating player concerns and proactively reaching out to them to discuss her decisions and expectations. In a 2021 game against a non-conference opponent, Coach Sutphin started several of her bench players to give them some well-deserved playing time. The opponent jumped out to a quick lead. Most coaches would have reversed course at this point and put in their regular starters. But Coach Sutphin stuck to her word – that’s how to earn players’ respect. And that respect helped her get a big win two nights later against conference foe and perennial softball powerhouse McLean. Coach Sutphin is a constant presence at Yorktown, as she also coaches freshman volleyball in the fall and basketball in the winter. The Better Sports Club is proud to recognize Coach Sutphin for her tireless efforts to help prepare Arlington’s student-athletes for future success. Sportsperson of the Year
Craig Escherick Craig Esherick has lived in Arlington for over 30 years. During that time, he has had a tremendous impact on our sports community. Craig presently serves as a professor at George Mason University in their Center for Sport Management. He serves as color commentator for GMU’s Men’s Basketball Team, both on radio and television. Craig was a founder, and is a current Director, of the Arlington Sports Foundation. Growing up, Craig was a Washington Post All-Met basketball player, then he played basketball at Georgetown University for the legendary John Thompson, succeeding him as GU head coach when Thompson retired. Craig chaired the Arlington Sports Commission from 2013-2017, during which time one of his successful projects was to expand Arlington gymnastics facilities to help serve the tremendous growth in that sport. He annually holds a well-regarded coaching forum for youth basketball coaches in Arlington. The Better Sports Club of Arlington is proud to name Craig Esherick as its 2021 Sportsperson of the Year. President's Award
Beth Jones The Better Sports Club may not have survived the last 15 months had it not been for the positivity and skills of our wonderful Executive Director, Beth Jones. Despite the pandemic, Beth led us through many virtual speaker and Board meetings, and two outdoor Awards Events, keeping our streak of 65 straight years intact. She has enhanced our website such that it is always current, informative and easy to use – a website that we can truly be proud of. Always with a smile on her face, Beth is the soul of the Better Sports Club. |
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