Congratulations 66th Annual Awards Recipients!
The Better Sports Club of Arlington presented its 66th Annual Student-Athletes of the Year and and a few adult awards on June 1 at the Knights of Columbus in a return to previous programming after two years of Covid disruption. Byron Kerr was the master of ceremonies for the eleventh year and provided great commentary on recipients and their incredible and vast achievements. Be sure to check out the slide show at the bottom of the page.
High School Student Athlete Awards
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Male High School Student-Athlete of the Year
The Merrill Hoover Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Optimist Club of Arlington Mason Cunningham Mason is a three-sport athlete at Yorktown, playing football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and soccer in the spring. Football coach, Bruce Hanson, had this to say about Mason, “Mason came to us as a tenth grader from Gonzaga. Coming into his senior year, I still didn't know how good he was. The first game he returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and ended the game with a game-winning touchdown with less than a minute to go. I decided right then he was very good.” Mason was very good at all three sports he played at Yorktown. A wide receiver and kick returner for the 2021 Liberty District champions, he was selected first team All-District and All-Region. In basketball, Mason was selected second-team All-District point guard and first team All-District defense. He plays center mid-field for the Patriots’ soccer team, and was a key player in their run to the 2021 state championship game. Mason is a member of the National Honor Society at Yorktown, serves as a mentor in the Best Buddies program, and volunteers at the Lost Dog Rescue Shelter. Mason will be continuing his education and playing football at Hampden-Sydney College in the fall. |
Baseball Sportsman of the Year
The George McQuinn Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Arlington Cal Ripken Babe Ruth, Arlington Little League, and Arlington Senior Babe Ruth JJ Foti JJ is a three-year varsity baseball player at Yorktown High School. As a junior, he was the starting second baseman. This past season, JJ moved over to third base and was among the team leaders in batting average and on-base percentage. As team captain, he has taken younger team members under his wing and showed them the ropes, in his quiet “do what I do” manner. JJ is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in Yorktown’s “Best Buddies” program for all four years of high school. He also volunteered for the Special Olympics and Wreaths Across America. This Fall, JJ will be attending Muhlenberg College and will be playing baseball for the Mules. |
Basketball Sportswoman of the Year
The Candice Brown Trophy Sponsored by: Fran Vitt Ana Bournigal Ana, or “The Patriot” as her coaches call her, has been on the Yorktown varsity team since her freshman year. Coach Drayton described Ana as “the living definition of a hard-working student-athlete.” During her time on the team, Ana has freely shared her knowledge and experience with younger players. When basketball was suspended due to the COVID outbreak, she organized “COVID safe” outdoor drills and conditioning sessions with her teammates. In 2022, Ana led the Yorktown girls’ basketball team to its first conference championship in school history. She was selected first team All-Region and second team All-State, while averaging sixteen points and eight rebounds per game. Off the court, Ana volunteered with the WISH Foundation, distributing gifts to needy families during holiday seasons, and she was a member of the Environmental Club at Yorktown. |
Basketball Sportsman of the Year
The John and Ed Hummer Trophy Sponsored by: Beyond the Hoop, Inc. Paul Lewis Paul was a three-year starter for the Bishop O’Connell basketball team, evolving from a pure shooter to a pass-first point guard, sacrificing his own stats for the good of the team. His superior play did not go unnoticed – Paul was selected second team All-Conference by Washington Catholic Athletic Conference coaches, and fourth-team All-Met by The Washington Post. Paul has been an active member of the O’Connell school community and a leader in the basketball team’s work with special needs students. He was quick to reach out to the shy kids, setting an example for his teammates on how to be kind to others. This fall, Paul will be attending Vanderbilt University on a full basketball scholarship. |
Cheer Sportswoman of the Year
The Ray Michael Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Dan Kain Trophies Sophia Bailey Washington-Liberty Cheer Coach Ghita Haronni had this to say about Sophia, “She always strives to do her best on and off the mat. Sophia has adapted successfully to any new position she was put in (and she was put in many!).” Sophia’s dedication and diligence to the sport of cheer resulted in her being named first team All-State for four straight years. When not cheering, Sophia helped the Washington-Liberty gymnastics team to three regional titles. Sophia is one of the founding members of “Teens Leading Change” and has spearheaded numerous drives for charity. Her most recent effort resulted in the donation of more than 800 books for "DC Books to Prisons" and "Books for America." Sophia has also been heavily involved in numerous musicals staged by the Washington-Liberty Theater Department. This fall, Sophia will be attending Vassar College. |
Crew Sportswoman of the Year
The William and Frank Havens Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Cardinal Construction & Management Emma Murray Yorktown Crew Coach Lucy Ayers pretty much cinched this award for Emma with the first sentence of the nomination she submitted, “Emma deserves to be recognized for her general awesomeness.” This awesomeness included first and second place finishes at the Virginia State Championships, reaching the semifinals of the prestigious Stotesbury Cup Regatta, and going out of her way to help her fellow athletes. When not on the water, Emma volunteered with Jubilee Jump Start, an organization that provides childcare and education to lower income families in the DC area. She also read books to young children over Facebook Live during the COVID pandemic. This fall will find Emma heading off to the Pacific Northwest where she will be attending the University of Washington – Seattle. |
Crew Sportsman of the Year
The Charlie Butt Jr., Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Pat Tarr Gregory Ettelt Washington-Liberty crew coach Derek Parsons used words like reliable and trustworthy to describe Greg, and said he possesses a kind and gentle nature that allows him to have a positive impact on his team. Using fewer words, you might just say Greg also is generally awesome! On the water, Greg was team captain for the 2021-2022 season, competed in the 2021 United States Rowing National Championship, and placed third at the 2019 Virginia State Lower Boat Championships. When not in the boat, Greg twice served as an Arlington Parks and Recreation Summer Camp Volunteer Counselor. He also completed four years of Latin study and was awarded the prestigious Gold Medal on the National Latin Exam. This fall, Greg will be continuing his studies at George Mason University. |
Cross Country Sportswoman of the Year
The Anne Viviani Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Stabile Consultants, LLC Rachel Mulvaney Rachel has been a valuable runner on the Washington-Liberty cross country team for the past four years. She ran on the state-qualifying team as a freshman, and was a regional qualifier in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Rachel’s team-first attitude led to her selection by Washington-Liberty for its Generals Way award for leadership and sportsmanship. When not running, Rachel was busy starting and running a small business that created and embroidered clothing. Profits from the business were donated to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. She also volunteered as a peer buddy in Washington-Liberty’s “Best Buddies” program. This fall, Rachel will be attending the University of Virginia. |
Cross Country Sportsman of the Year
The Michael A. Wardian Trophy Sponsored by: Glebe Radio and Appliances Lucas Keith Lucas has been heavily involved in Yorktown varsity cross country and track & field for all four years of high school, and twice placed in the top ten at the Liberty District Cross Country Championships. This past season Lucas contributed to the team's 2nd place finish at the Virginia High School League state meet, marking the second time ever the Yorktown team qualified for the state meet. When not running, Lucas was a dual-enrolled student at Northern Virginia Community College, where he just graduated with an Associate’s Degree in computer science. Last summer, Lucas worked as an intern for Synova Life Sciences, reading research articles on the uses of stem cells to inform the company’s chief marketing officer. Finally, in his spare time, Lucas helps coach Special Olympics basketball and track teams. Lucas will be continuing his stem cell research work this fall at Cornell University. |
Dance Sportsperson of the Year
The Emily Carnes Trophy Sponsored by: The Better Sports Club Freddi Rappoport Freddi was a member of the Yorktown varsity dance team for all four years of high school. Her junior year, the dance program grew to include a junior varsity squad. The coaches created a Program Ambassador role with the responsibility of ensuring the JV squad became an integral part of the dance program. As the first ever Program Ambassador, Freddi worked with varsity and JV team members to ensure material was taught program-wide, and reworked the “big sister – little sister” program to span both teams. Appointed team captain as a senior, Freddi helped lead the Yorktown Dance Team to qualifying for NDA Nationals for the first time in program history. When not dancing, Freddi is a member of the National Honor Society, serves as President of the Yorktown Jewish Cultural Club, plays travel soccer, and volunteers with the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. Freddi will attend the University of Florida this fall. |
Field Hockey Sportswoman of the Year
The J. Elwood Clements Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Arlington County Sheriff’s Office Caroline Brickley Caroline has been a member of the Yorktown varsity field hockey team for the past three seasons. As team captain in 2021, she led the Patriots to their first ever regional and state championships, as well as their first district title since 2008. During this state championship season, Caroline played every minute of every game, scoring 12 goals and adding 10 assists. Coach Shipley had this to say about Caroline: “I have the utmost respect for Caroline and the grace she exudes both on and off the field. She will challenge and ensure her voice is heard, but also will listen and accept feedback, always seeking growth and development for herself.” Caroline is a member of the National Honor Society, works with other Arlington High School students as part of the Arlington Youth Philanthropy Initiative, and serves as a freshman mentor at Yorktown. This fall, Caroline will be attending and playing field hockey at St. Joseph’s University. |
Football Sportsman of the Year
The Eric Sievers Trophy Sponsored by: Blankingship & Keith, P.C. Herbert Sovula Herbert is a football throwback – the rare two-way player, starting and playing every down for Washington-Liberty on the offensive and defensive lines. Perhaps even rarer, he is a lineman getting an award! But this award is not at all surprising. Herbert was a unanimous first team All-Conference selection for all-purpose offensive player, and a second team All-Region pick. Coach Josh Shapiro called Herbert “the true team player, he was asked to play many different positions this past season to fill team needs. Herbert always stepped up to do whatever the team needed him to do.” Herbert volunteers with the REACH program, delivering meals to the homeless. He has also sits in as a drummer with the First Baptist Church of Clarendon Band. Herbert will be attending Louisburg College in Louisburg, North Carolina this fall. |
Golf Sportswoman of the Year
The Shelley Savage Trophy Sponsored by: Washington Golf & Country Club Women’s Golf Association Lily Donaldson Coach Michael Wilkis said this about Lily, “From the very first practice I had with Lily, there were several qualities that jumped out. Lily’s easy and natural swing was obvious, but her smile, positive attitude and interactions with her teammates is something I wish I could transfer to all my golfers. Lily’s calmness and instincts always put her a step ahead of her opposition and helped earned her a spot on our District’s team as well as qualifying for the Girl’s 4A Zone tournament where she recorded the lowest score among all other Arlington High School golfers this year.” Lily spends her free time volunteering in programs that provide homework and study habit help to underprivileged students. During her summers, Lily worked as a golf coach with the Junior Golf Program hosted at Army Navy Country Club. Lily will be attending Virginia Tech this fall. |
Golf Sportsman of the Year
The Henry Kerfoot Trophy Sponsored by: Buck and Associates Aidan Langley Aidan has come a long way in four short years. From barely making the golf team as a freshman to playing his way into the top six. From barely talking, to team leader. Last season, Yorktown Coach Chris Williams took a chance and moved Aidan into the top six for the district tournament. The gamble paid off. Aidan helped the Patriots finish 2nd in the Liberty District, 2nd in the Northern Region and 6th in the state tournament. This was Yorktown’s first trip to states in 21 years. Aidan also was a first team All-District and All-Region goalie for Yorktown’s 2021 state runner-up soccer team. When not on the golf course or soccer pitch, he volunteers with a group that has developed a workshop to help with clean water and sanitation issues in Nigeria. Aidan also is the co-founder and vice president of Yorktown’s Stock and Investment Club. |
Gymnastics Sportswoman of the Year
The Joe D’Emidio Trophy Sponsored by: Arlington Aerials Parents Association Grace Chen No one has more banners hanging in the Washington-Liberty gym than Grace. Of course, she was regional vault champion for three years, took second place in the regional all-around for three years, and added regional championships in bars and floor exercise in 2021 – that’s a lot of banners! Coach Joe D’Emidio certainly values all those championships, but the first thing he said in nominating Grace was this: “Grace is a friendly and inclusive teammate who is always there to support her team and her teammates.” Grace serves as an Adapted Gymnastics coach for Arlington County, helping children with special needs to develop motor skills and gain social interactions. She also coached the first Arlington County Special Olympics gymnastics team. This fall, Grace will be continuing her education at the University of Pittsburgh. |
Ice Hockey Sportsman of the Year
The Tom Newman Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Brian Hannigan Jake Levy Jake has been a goalie for the Yorktown Ice Hockey Club for four years and has grown into a tremendous leader. Jake was voted first team All Northern Virginia School Hockey League goalie this year, compiling a 6-0 record during league games with a 1.33 goals against average, while leading the Patriots to the Northern Virginia School Hockey League championship and their first undefeated regular season since 2003. Coach Jeremy Ferrera expressed Jake’s hard work this season, forging friendships with all of his teammates to become one of the most liked and respected players on the team. For the past eight years, Jake has worked with the Arlington Cool Cats, an ice-skating program for kids with special needs. Off the ice, Jake volunteered with the Arlington Food Assistance Center. This fall, Jake will be attending the University of Wisconsin. |
Lacrosse Sportswoman of the Year
The Jamie Reynolds Trophy Sponsored by: The Thomas Family/Columbia Gardens Cemetery Natalie Ellis The Washington-Liberty girls lacrosse team lost their entire 2021 coaching staff on short notice. Natalie quickly stepped up, organizing off-season practices and even contacting news outlets to help find a new coach. Natalie also faced her own adversity, sitting out an entire season with an injury. But a torn ACL didn’t stop her from helping the team – she showed up to every practice and every game ready to support the team in any way she could. Through the hard work of rehab, Natalie made a strong return for her senior season, returning to her usual role helping the Generals all over the field. Natalie is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in the Best Buddies Club at Washington-Liberty. She also volunteers for the Arlington Food Assistance Center and Lost Dog Rescue. This fall, Natalie will be attending Xavier University, where she will be playing lacrosse for the Musketeers. |
Lacrosse Sportsman of the Year
The Jon Reynolds Trophy Sponsored by: Judge George Varoutsos Mason Collins A member of the Wakefield boys varsity lacrosse team since he was a freshman, Mason started every game Wakefield played over the past four years. He was a team captain his junior and senior years, and led the team in forced turnovers and ground balls. He was named a second team All-District player in 2021. Mason showed his dedication to the Wakefield lacrosse program by helping several of his friends improve their skills, and encouraging them to try out and make a local travel lacrosse team. Mason is a member of the National Honor Society. He volunteers at his church as a teacher’s helper at Vacation Bible School, and assembled COVID personal protective equipment kits for distribution to Arlington Schools. Mason will be continuing his education and playing lacrosse next year at McDaniel College. |
Rifle Sportsperson of the Year
The Charlie Viars Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Sgt. Dorothy M. Doyle American Legion Post 139 Thornton Thomas Thornton has been an outstanding leader for the Washington-Liberty Rifle Team in every area. He has helped with the training of new program members, regularly set up and taken down gear, and supported fundraising efforts such as the Winter Bazaar and poinsettia deliveries. During the pandemic, Thornton was a great help to his teammates as they tackled many challenges in adapting to COVID precautions and modified competition formats. All of this was on top of his dedication to training for competition and his consistent leading performances in the team's matches. Thornton has been a member of the Washington-Liberty School Robotics team since 2019. He and his team have worked a number of amazing projects. Thornton also served on the Arlington School Board’s Washington-Lee High School renaming committee. This fall, Thornton will be attending the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana. |
Soccer Sportswoman of the Year
The John “Mac” McLaughlin Trophy Sponsored by: Arlington Soccer Association Phoebe Scarborough Phoebe has been a member of the Varsity Girls Soccer program at Yorktown for three years. Phoebe plays defense, but also has been willing to play other positions, because that's what the team needs in some games. Although Phoebe is a quiet leader, she has the rare ability to give her teammates feedback and encouragement in a way that encourages everyone to play better together as a team. As a result, Phoebe is trusted, respected and well-liked by her teammates and coaches. Phoebe is a member of the National Honor Society, Vice President of the French Honor society and a Yorktown Mentor. In the community, Phoebe led numerous service projects for Westover Farmers Market, New Hope Housing, Free Minds Book Club and Reading Partners D.C. |
Soccer Sportsman of the Year
The George Towner, Jr. Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Arlington Soccer Association Sean Kelsay Sean has been a member of Washington-Liberty’s varsity soccer team for three years. As a team captain for the past two years, he has had a huge impact on the team and its success. Sean is a man of few words, but leads by example. He is a fierce competitor, but understands it is only that – a competition and a game. Opposing coaches understand just how good a player Sean is. In 2021, he was named first team All-Conference, second team All-Region, and honorable mention All-State. Sean is a member of the Sports Analytics and Engineering Clubs at Washington-Liberty, and also volunteers for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. This fall, Sean will be attending Indiana University. |
Softball Sportswoman of the Year
The Kristy Burch Bergmann Trophy Sponsored by: Arlington Girls Softball Association Emilie Doty Emilie’s sophomore season was abruptly cut short in March 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. Emilie soon began showing her leadership skills, as she continued to train independently while staying in touch with her Washington-Liberty teammates and encouraging them to stay positive and engaged. In 2021, Emilie started every game and pitched the Generals to their first ever Regional Championship. She also was the team's top hitter with a .414 batting average. Emilie was named Liberty District player of the year and first team All Northern Region pitcher. Emilie has been a tireless volunteer with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. She not only helps care for animals on a regular basis, but also serves as photographer for the charity's social media accounts. Next year, Emilie will be continuing her education and her softball career at Tufts University. |
Softball Sportswomen of the Year
The Kristy Burch Bergmann Trophy Sponsored by: Arlington Girls Softball Association Molly Kaufman Molly is a dedicated athlete, always looking to improve. After her sophomore season, she was asked to move from first base to catcher. During the COVID shut down, Molly worked on her catching skills and came back her junior year as one of the best catchers in the district. Her strong defense and .404 batting average earned her first team All Liberty District honors. Off the softball field, Molly could be found on the basketball court, where she helped the Patriots to their first district championship in school history. She also was the Policy Director of Yorktown’s For a Strawless Sea Club, and volunteered with Beto O’Rourke’s Powered by People Organization, calling Texas residents to inform them of vaccine availability. This fall, Molly will continue her education and her softball career at Haverford College. |
Swim & Dive Sportswoman of the Year
The Shelley Mann Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Mary Schade Lauren Hartel Lauren has been a valuable contributor to Yorktown’s championship-winning swim teams since her freshman year. This past season, she helped the Patriots reach their first Northern Region championship in 40 years with first place finishes in the 200 and 400 meter freestyle races, and was part of the first place 400 meter freestyle relay team. Lauren was a first team All Northern Region swimmer, and was recognized as an honorable mention All-Met by The Washington Post. In addition to racking up points in the pool, Coach Torey Ortmayer credits Lauren with finding ways to help quieter, more reserved members of the team feel involved and included. Lauren is an AP Scholar at Yorktown. She hopes to pursue a career in pediatric medicine. She has volunteered in the Yorktown pre-school and the Arlington Career Center daycare. This fall, Lauren will attend school and swim at Ohio University. |
Swim & Dive Sportsman of the Year
The Tom Dolan Trophy Sponsored by: Cardinal Construction & Management Tommy Weber Tommy is a four-year member of the Washington-Liberty swim team. He had his best season as a senior, earning team MVP honors after placing 3rd in the 50 free and first in the 500 free at Districts, 4th in the 200 free and 3rd in the 500 free at Regionals, and in the top 10 in those same events at States. In his spare time, Tommy mentors a young boy in his neighborhood and helps his elderly neighbor with yard work. Tommy will be attending Lafayette College in the fall. |
Tennis Sportswoman of the Year
The Donna Floyd Fales Trophy Sponsored by: Bill Walsh Nina Parsee Nina has been a Co-Captain on Yorktown’s varsity tennis squad for two years, helping to lead the team by promoting the school’s values of collaboration and determination both on and off the court. She is a model of sportsmanship and a role model for her teammates. Nina can also play a little tennis - she has played #1 and #2 singles and #1 doubles for the past four years. Last year, she was undefeated in the regular season and earned first team All Liberty District honors in both singles and doubles. Nina is fluent in Spanish, proficient in Farsi, and elementary proficient in Chinese. She is the President of the National Honor Society chapter at Yorktown, and also volunteered with Jubilee Jumpstart, a childcare and parent support program serving low-income families in the District. This fall, Nina will be attending UCLA. |
Tennis Sportsman of the Year
The Mel Labat Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: John Depenbrock Jacob Wooldridge Jacob has been the #1 player on the Washington-Liberty boys tennis team for the last four years. In 2021, he and his partner qualified for regionals by taking third place at the Liberty District tournament. Jacob earned honorable mention All-District and All-Region honors. As team captain for the past two years, he was a great mentor and role model for his teammates, maintaining a positive attitude even in defeat. When not on the tennis court, Jacob is an active member of Saint Agnes Catholic Church where he participated in a youth work camp to renovate local community housing. He also is a member of the Best Buddies program. |
Track and Field Sportswoman of the Year
The John Randolph Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Lynn and Jim Fuechsel Sydney Barta Sydney lost part of her leg when she was six years old after a metal scaffolding fell on her leg. After 21 surgeries, Sydney was ready to get her first prosthetic and began walking. Since then, this Arlington resident has been very active in sports, playing varsity volleyball, basketball, and track at National Cathedral School. Sydney also is a Paralympian and finished fourth in the 200-meter race at the 2022 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Sydney is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, performs with the Washington Choral Society, and tutors a young Arlington student in calculus. She and her U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee teammates recently met with President Biden at the White House. Sydney will be attending Stanford University in the fall. |
Track and Field Sportsman of the Year
The Peter Weilenmann Trophy Sponsored by: The Thomas Family/Columbia Gardens Cemetery Jack Blocher Jack moved to Arlington as a sophomore and immediately started making an impact on the Yorktown track team. In 2021, he finished sixth in the 1,600-meter race at the Liberty District indoor meet and ninth at the regional championships. In the 1,000-meter indoor race in 2022, Jack placed second at districts, fourth at regionals, and twelfth at states. He was also part of the Patriots’ 4x800-meter relay team that took second place at states. As a senior leader and currently president of Yorktown’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Jack plans group meetings and contributes heavily to an organization that uplifts the Yorktown community. He is also a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, performing at a variety of community concerts. Later this month, Jack will begin serving our country as a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. |
Ultimate Disc Sportswoman of the Year
The Jenny Fey Trophy Sponsored by: Youth Ultimate League of Arlington Eliana Lotenberg Prior to joining the Washington-Liberty ultimate team, Eliana had never played any sports. She immediately fell in love with ultimate and has become a true athlete. Eliana has attended almost every practice, game, and tournament over the past four years. She has averaged over 225 minutes of playing time, and often played almost every point, for each of these tournaments. Eliana provides great spirit to the team, cheering players on and encouraging fair play in a sport where the players are also the referees. Each summer, Eliana devotes weeks of her time as a counselor at an overnight camp for youth. She is also heavily involved in her Jewish youth community. This fall, Eliana will be attending Smith College. |
Ultimate Disc Sportswoman of the Year
The Jenny Fey Trophy Sponsored by: Youth Ultimate League of Arlington Eva Turner Eva has been playing ultimate for seven years and consistently has been a top performer at H-B Woodlawn. She currently serves as captain of their girls’ ultimate team. For the past several summers, she has been selected for elite youth teams that represented the D.C. area in a national youth club championship tournament. Eva also dedicated much time to the H-B Woodlawn girls’ ultimate program. Coach Maddy Boyle was especially proud of Eva’s efforts to connect with her teammates who speak English as the second language, using her Spanish fluency to translate for players to help them learn the sport and connect with the team. Eva has been heavily involved in the HB theater department and also is a member of the Hippie High Notes Acapella group. Eva will be attending American University in the fall. |
Ultimate Disc Sportsman of the Year
The Bernie Kirchner Trophy Sponsored by: Youth Ultimate League of Arlington Nathan Pease Nathan has been playing ultimate for six years, the last two with the Yorktown A team. He plays the handler position, which is occupied by the team’s most skilled and dependable throwers. Nathan was an important contributor on the Yorktown’s 2021 Virginia State Championship team. He is also a leader in promoting youth ultimate in Arlington, serving as a volunteer coach and coordinator for the Youth Ultimate League of Arlington’s middle school league since 2020. Nathan is a member of the National Honor Society and a volunteer bike mechanic at Phoenix Bikes, where he builds and repairs bicycles for donations to those in need. He also made blankets for the Rotary Club and assembled food bags for Food for Others. Nathan will be attending the College of William & Mary in the fall. |
Volleyball Sportswoman of the Year
The Bill Finney Trophy Sponsored by: The Meiburger Law Firm, P.C. Riley Debiec Riley is one of the top four players in O’Connell volleyball history, finishing her high school career with 721 kills, 692 digs, 172 aces and 85 blocks. Impressive accomplishments when you remember she missed her junior year due to COVID. Riley capped it all off by leading O’Connell to its first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship since 1995, and a runner-up finish in the state championship match. Riley was named first team All-State, and second team All-Met by The Washington Post. Her volunteer efforts have included peer tutoring and serving as a group leader for her Church’s bible camp. At O’Connell, she has participated on the yearbook committee and the Student Superintendent Advisory Committee.. Riley will be attending college and playing volleyball at Washington & Lee University in the fall. Wrestling Sportsman of the Year
The Matthew T. Cluff Memorial Trophy Sponsored by: Arlington Tigers Wrestling Club John Baker As a sophomore at Washington-Liberty, John went from placing 5th at a JV tournament to earning a spot on the varsity to winning a Northern Region championship. After wrestling was canceled in 2021 due to COVID, John came roaring back as a senior to win 32 matches against just one loss. He won the district tournament in dominant fashion, pinning all of his opponents on his way to being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He then went on to claim his second regional title, before suffering his only loss in the state finals. John’s teammates looked to him as an example of how to work in the practice room and how to behave outside of it. Parents of John’s opponents often approached Coach Morreale after a match to tell him how impressed they were with John’s sportsmanship. |
Adult Awards
Arlington Outstanding Coach
The John Youngblood Memorial Award Sponsored by: The Better Sports Club Mehdi El Alaoui Coach El Alaoui was named the Washington Capital Athletic Conference volleyball coach of the year in 2021 after leading O’Connell to its first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship since 1995, and a runner-up finish in the state championship match. His 204 wins are the most in school history, and more than 20 of his players have gone on to play in college. Coach El Alaoui is passionate about the sport of volleyball. He runs a first-class program and is always looking to improve. He was instrumental in improving O’Connell’s facilities for volleyball by advocating for having three nets to improve practices and player development. Mehdi started the Dig Pink tournament and games for breast cancer awareness. He also visits local schools and coaches free clinics to promote the sport. O’Connell Athletic Director Joe Wootten had this to say about Coach El Alaoui, “Mehdi is a teacher of the game. He will work with two or three girls in the off season to improve their skills. He does not coach everyone the same way, which helps each girl reach their full potential. I always judge teams on how much they improve and his teams always get significantly better throughout the season.” The Better Sports Club is proud to recognize Coach El Alaoui for all his efforts to help prepare our student-athletes for future success. |
Arlington Outstanding Coach
The John Glover Memorial Award Sponsored by: The Better Sports Club Torey Ortmayer Coach Ortmayer is focused on each student finding a way to contribute to the Yorktown swim team. This focus has allowed the Yorktown boys team to experience successes that they did not think were possible. With dozens of swimmers contributing to district meets by simply improving their time by a few hundredths of a second, the team routinely overcame 40-point deficits heading into the championship meet. Such a comeback occurred at regionals this year. The Yorktown boys had no business winning the meet based on swimmers’ prior race times, but believing in themselves, as fostered by Coach Ortmayer, allowed them to accomplish something that had eluded the Patriots’ boys team for more than 30 years. Coach Ortmayer cultivates this team-first mentality by welcoming students of all abilities, including those with developmental delays as well as future Olympic swimmers like Torri Huske. Amazingly, each swimmer, regardless of ability, somehow feels Coach Ortmayer is “their” coach even if they are in a lane at practices that is routinely coached by an assistant coach. His leadership in team functions, his communication style in team notes, and his lack of showering praise on the best swimmers makes everyone feel he is there for them as individuals, as well as for the team at large. The Better Sports Club is proud to recognize Coach Ortmayer for all his efforts to help prepare our student-athletes for future success. Sportsperson of the Year
The David J. Morgan Award Sponsored by: The Better Sports Club Doug Kaufman Doug moved to Arlington in 1998 and shortly thereafter began coaching baseball with Arlington Babe Ruth. In 2002, Doug became involved in the Arlington Girls Softball Association. Over the next 20 years, Doug served in numerous AGSA leadership roles, serving as league commissioner at the 8U, 10U, and 12U levels. In 2018, Doug founded AGSA’s Arlington Impact program with the mission of helping high school softball players achieve their dreams of playing in college. The program provides advanced training and skills development, assists in developing recruiting profiles, enters teams in premiere College Showcase Tournaments, and establishes continuing relationships with college coaches. The philosophy Doug developed for the Arlington Impact program focuses on four elements: improving the skills of current players; building confidence and self-esteem in young women; maintaining the joy and passion for their sport – where they love to practice, play and spend time with their teammates; and finding the right school for each player, where they can fit in academically, socially, and athletically. Under Doug’s leadership, the Arlington Impact has recruited former college players as head coaches and female role models, fostering the program’s growth from one team in 2018 to four teams in 2021. The Better Sports Club of Arlington is proud to name Doug Kaufman as its 2022 Sportsperson of the Year. |
The President’s Award
Awarded to the Outstanding Club Member Sponsored by: The Better Sports Club Richard Knight Richard has served on The Better Sports Club Board for the last six years. He makes sure that all of our annual tax and regulatory obligations are met so that the BSC can continue its federally tax-exempt status. Whenever there is a role to fill, or a job to do, Richard jumps in with enthusiasm and a "can do" attitude. His leadership allows the BSC to grow and prosper. |