Wildcat Wrestlers Pick Up Wins at NoVa Classic

Wrestling: Although medals usually define the success of a wrestler and a team, the Centreville Wildcat Wrestling team tasted success in many different ways this past weekend at the NOVA Classic, held at on Dec 9-10. Overall, 32 teams participated in the tournament. For CVHS, the experienced Cats did what was expected of them, and the new wrestlers found some victories along with many things upon which they can build.

For freshman and first year wrestler Devante Wright, things could not have gone better. Wright, who went 0-2 just a week ago, avenged his slow start in his new sport to go 5-2 and earn a 7th place finish in the 195lb weight class. Wright’s picture-perfect tackles led to countless takedowns and ultimately to his position on the podium.

Joining Wright on the podium, but a little closer to the top, were freshman Tyler Love and junior Joey Steinbach. Love took over where he left off last week and powered his way to a bronze medal in the 160lb weight class. Love brings a wealth of experience and a willingness to implement new techniques to the mat, which contributes to him winning early on this season. Steinbach was the only seeded CVHS wrestler, seeded at 5th in his weight class and competing against , , , and ; he turned his season around and cruised his way to a bronze medal in the 220 lb weight class. Steinbach’s counter-offense was impressive as he scored on most of his opponents’ feeble shots, keeping leads on his opponents most of the time.

The rest of the Wildcat wrestlers also tasted success. Chung Do Kim picked up a couple of wins as did Joey Nowak, Connor Mitchell, and Will Johnson. Will Johnson picked up a pin on his way to the quarter finals before suffering his first loss of the young season. Andy Soon and Jason Park had their hands raised for the first time this year. Soon is a strong athletic freshman with a bright wrestling future in this sport, competing at the 170lb weight class with no previous wrestling experience. Park has even less experience  but has great commitment and motivation for improvement. 

Centreville will next mix it up at the Appalachian Duals at Skyline High in Front Royal, Virginia on December 21 and 22. 

Boys Basketball: On Friday, December 2nd, CVHS’s varsity basketball team beat in the South Lakes Tip Off Tournament, 44-37. The team went on a 16-3 4th quarter run to erase a 4-point deficit at the end of three quarters. They also had a 65 percent free throw percentage, hitting 13 for 20 attempted.  

On Tuesday, December 6th, the Wildcats defeated Yorktown HS on their home court by a score of 50-41. Three players hit double digits in points: Evan Fuller had 14, Robert Coker had 11 and Hunter Campbell had 10. Johnson had 6 assists, and Campbell had the highest number of rebounds with 7. They overcame a sloppy first half performance and played shut-down defense in the decisive fourth quarter. Campbell’s 10 points were a career high, and the team’s overall shooting percentage, 54.5 percent, is a season high.  

Finally, the boys defeated Fairfax, 49-47, in an overtime thriller on Friday, Dec. 9th. The Wildcats surrendered a 10-point second half lead, but held on to defeat the Rebels in their home opener. Fuller scored in double figures for the 5th straight game. This improves the boys’ team to 3-2 on the season. The team is scheduled to play next on Tuesday Dec. 13th at home against South County.          

Girls Basketball:  Led by senior Chaney Forbush's 15 points and 10 rebounds, the Centreville Lady Wildcats Varsity Basketball Team improved their season record to 3-0 with a hard fought 43-35 victory over the Yorktown Patriots on Tuesday, December 6th. Sophomore guard Jenna Green added 12 points for the Cats.  

The next night, the Lady Wildcats lost their first game of the year, 73-58, to an inspired Fairfax Rebels, playing at . Senior Chaney Forbush led the Cats with 24 points and 12 rebounds, her second double double in as many nights. CVHS's record now stands at 3-1. The Wildcats are scheduled to return home to play on Monday night, Dec. 12, against Broad Run. 

Gymnastics: The Varsity Gymnastics Team has its next meet on Tuesday, December 13th at Thomas Jefferson High School. Opponents include TJ, Edison, West Potomac, Westfield, and Hayfield. 

Indoor Track: The Varsity Indoor Track team has its next meet on Friday, Jan. 6th at 5:30 p.m. at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Opponents includeand Madison.           

Swim/dive: CVHS’s swim meet was held on Friday, Dec. 9 against at Lee District RecCenter. The team, head coach Lauren Depont said, had “amazing times, and many improvements were made even from just last week. The spirit the swimmers and divers showed was second to none, and I am extremely proud of our accomplishments.”

First Place Finishers (Girls)

200 Medley Relay - B. Worley, L. Ross, A. McCranie, S. O'Donnell
50 Freestyle - Abby McCranie
100 Backstroke - A.bby McCranie
100 Breaststroke - Logan Ross

Second Place Finishers (Girls)

200 Freestyle - Brooke Worley
200 Individual Medley - Shannon O'Donnell
100 Freestyle - Brooke Worley
500 Freestyle - Morgan Cripe
200 Freestyle Relay - S. O'Donnell, K. Daily, L. Ross, A. McCranie
400 Freestyle Relay - S. Clark, M. Cripe, K. Daily, B. Worley

Third Place Finishers (Girls)

200 Medley Relay - S. Clark, S. Hessler, M. Cripe, M. Luck
100 Fly - Katie Schwindt
500 Freestyle - Kelsey Daily
100 Backstroke - Sarah Clark
100 Breaststroke - Sarah Hessler


First Place Finishers (Boys)

100 Fly - Michael Helme
100 Freestyle - Jonathan Clark

Second Place Finishers (Boys)

200 Medley Relay - K. Marshall, A. Balberde, M. Helme, J. Clark
200 Individual Medley - Kyle Marshall
50 Freestyle - Jonathan Clark
100 Backstroke - Kyle Marshall
400 Freestyle Relay - J. Clark, M. Rice, T. Jung, K. Marshall

Third Place Finishers (Boys)

50 Freestyle - Matt Rice
100 Fly- Mark Mahoney
200 Freestyle Relay - M. Helme, A. Balberde, M. Rice, T. Jung
100 Breaststroke - Andy Balberde

2011-2012 Centreville Wildcats Football Awards and Honors

1st Team All Concorde District
Antonio Choi, C
Matt Vlissides, G and LB
Chase Walter, WR
Ken Ekanem, TE and DE
Manny Smith, RB
Ryan Sepulveda, DE
Bret Fite, LB
Connor Coward, DB

Concorde District Defensive Player of the Year
Ken Ekanem, DE 

2nd Team All Concorde District
Connor Coward, WR and RB and P
Mitch Ferrick, QB 
Marcus Hillian, DL
Connor Howell, DL 
Zack Sikora, LB
Brett Martin, DB
Mark Behne, LB 
Chase Walter, KR

Honorable Mention All Concorde District
Jared Rondeau, K
Chase Walter, LB 

1st Team All Northern Region
Manny Smith, RB
Chase Walter, WR
Ken Ekanem,  DE and TE
Matt Vlissides, LB
Connor Coward, DB

Northern Region Defensive Player of the Year
Ken Ekanem, DE

2nd Team All Northern Region
Matt Vlissides, G

Honorable Mention All Northern Region
Ryan Sepulveda, DE