December 2008 WinStar - Laura Gomez

Laura Gomez just completed her final season of volleyball with the Albemarle Patriots with a State Championship win as well as the team Sportsmanship Award at the state championship. Her career records include 3rd in service points, 5th in service aces, 6th in kills and 6th in blocks. This year she led the team in blocks (61), led the team in aces (56), led the team in service percentage (93.6) as well as being second on the team in kills (259) and 2nd on the team in service points (228). She is the only player in Albemarle Volleyball history to have over 250 kills and 60 blocks in the same season. She has been selected to First Team All-District and First Team All-Region.

Mark Ragland, her coach, says, “Laura is one of the hardest working players I have ever coached. She has put in more time outside of practice than any player that has worn the uniform for AHS. In addition, she was an emotional floor leader for the Patriots this season and was one of the main reasons that the Patriots won the State Title. Very few players have ever demonstrated the commitment to become a champion as much as Laura has during her career.”

In addition to volleyball, Laura is a member of Female Athletes Striving Together, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Patriot Athletic Leaders and Creating Awareness Regarding Equity and a member and coach of the Hollymead Swim Team.

Congratulations to Laura on a great finish to her volleyball career and to the AHS Volleyball Team for winning the state title and the Sportsmanship Award for 2008!

November 2008 WinStar - Sarah Harper

As a Junior, Sarah Harper just completed her 3rd season on the Varsity Volleyball team at Western Albemarle High School and helped lead her team to a 7th straight Jefferson District crown as well as a 2nd consecutive 5th place finish in the state tournament.

Coach Lance Rogers says that “Sarah is on track to be one of the very best volleyball players in the history of Central Virginia. What she lacks in size (5’5”), she more than makes up for with quickness, anticipation and a fierce competitive drive. If you watch her play you can’t help but notice she is not only very focused but also having the time of her life. She reminds us all that we play sports to have fun.”

This season Sarah led the team in kills and digs and set a new school record for the most kills in a season. She was named the Jefferson District Player of the Year, Region II player of the year and is routinely voted to the all-tournament teams for the tournaments in which Western Albemarle has competed in this past year.

Sarah has also played Varsity Basketball at Western Albemarle and competes in the Jr. Olympic Volleyball League. She is in the Art & World Culture Club and enjoys art, fishing, horseback riding and four-wheeling. Division I volleyball is her goal for the future!!

November 2008 WinStar - Ellen Smethurst

Ellen Smethurst is a Sr. Captain of the Covenant Varsity Volleyball Team where she played in the middle hitter/blocker position this season. Ellen’s stats are impressive as she had a 95% serving accuracy rate, 514 kills, 160 blocks, 23 assists, 48 aces and 49 digs. Ellen led the team to a LIS championship this fall and the team finished second in the state playoffs in a close five game match. Coach Annette Williams says of Ellen, “She is the glue that holds our young team together. She is a positive, encouraging role model for her teammates and a true team player. Ellen is a complete player and a true joy to coach.”

In addition to volleyball, Ellen is a member of the Covenant Honor Council, Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life and a captain of the Covenant Varsity Basketball team. During the summers, Ellen volunteers and works at a Christian sports camp.

November 2008 WinStar - Lauren Eklund

Lauren Eklund has had a super freshman season as the first girl to play on the Albemarle High School Golf Team. Twice during the regular season she has posted the lowest round on the team and most recently she posted the lowest team score of 82 as her team won their sixth consecutive Commonwealth District Championship! At the State Championship Lauren had an 83 and an 89, finishing around 20th out of 80 players. The two rounds were played in very windy and cold conditions.

Growing up following her brother, Weston (a former AHS All District golfer) on the golf course, Lauren caught “the golf bug” at the age of nine when she played in the First Citizen’s Golf Tournament against all boys. She competed twice also in The Optimist International Qualifier and placed second both years. Locally, in the past two years she has won The Greene Hills Ladies Championship, placed 5th in 2007 in The Reines Ladies City Championship and in 2008 she won the championship coming from 4 shots behind to win in a 3 hole playoff.

Coach Greg Maynards says “she is the first female golfer we’ve had at AHS and she has fit right in. Her scores consistently count in our top four and she has the 2nd best average on the team. She has a bright future and is a well rounded student athlete”. At the age of 14 Lauren has a passion for golf and she hopes to continue to improve to someday achieve her goal of playing collegiate golf.

October 2008 WinStar - Raleigh Davis

Raleigh Davis is currently a Senior at Western Albemarle High School and in her third year as a member of the Varsity Golf team. As a 9th grader she lettered in golf and made All District Honorable Mention. In the 10th grade she lettered and made All District 2nd Team. She also played basketball for the Warriors in the 8th, 9th and 10th grades.

This fall Raleigh opened with a 77 at Spring Creek in a mini District match and carded a couple of even par rounds in addition to a one under par score in a 9 hole match. Coach Darren Maynard says of Raleigh, “she is a wonderful young lady, quiet and soft spoken”.

In addition to her golf, Raleigh is in the National English Honor Society and the Latin Club and Key Club. Her volunteer time has been devoted to the First Tee Program, the SPCA and the YMCA. Her future plans include Engineering School either at UVA or Virginia Tech.

Spring 2008 WinStar - Margaret Montague

For the past four years, Margaret Montague has held a starting position on the Covenant School field hockey program. A starting defensive player, Montague was selected to the All-LIS squad during her junior and senior seasons. Recently named to the All-Central Virginia first team, Montague garnered Most Improved Player recognition following her freshman season. She was also bestowed the Leadership Award after her senior year when she served as team captain. In addition to the athletic accolades, Montague is also an Honor Roll student, a National Merit Finalist, a member of the Student Council and Co-Chairman of the Honor Council. Montague served as a tutor for the Abundant Life Center of Charlottesville for the past three years and also tutors Covenant School students as a member of the National Honor Society.

Spring 2008 WinStar - Molly Schwoebel

A four-year starter at Western Albemarle in multiple sports, Molly Schwoebel (Photo by Jim Copony) began her hoops career at WAHS as an eighth grader on the junior varsity team. After earning Most Valuable Player recognition as an eighth grader, Schwoebel earned a varsity roster spot, where she was selected to the All-Jefferson District first team three out of four years. Schwoebel also earned All-Central Virginia honors twice, while securing a place on the Holiday Classic all-tournament team. “[Molly] is a tenacious player,” said WAHS Head Coach Jason Barnett of Schwoebel, who was twice named Western’s co-mvp in hoops. “[She] is aggressive in the paint and attacks the rim as well.” During her senior year, Schwoebel tallied 266 points, 138 rebounds, 41 assists and 49 steals. In addition to basketball, Schwoebel has played varsity soccer for three years and is currently a member of the varsity lacrosse team at Western.

Spring 2008 WinStar - Kaitie Geib

A student at The Covenant School, Kaitie Geib first started playing varsity field hockey as a freshman. Currently, as a senior, Geib is playing on the lacrosse team, where she is a captain and looking forward to leading her team to a successful campaign. The Covenant girls lacrosse team hopes to build a state championship team, something they fell short of last year. Geib embodies the term student-athlete as she has maintained a high honor roll average throughout high school career, served on the student council, while serving as co-president of the Covenant Honor Society. She also has held a variety of part-time jobs throughout high school and has been invaluable in helping out her mom, who is a single parent. Geib will graduate in May this year and will continue her education in college, where she plans to serve her fellow students and the community around her.

Spring 2008 WinStar - Chelsea Henderson

The daughter of Debora Baugh and Orlando Henderson, Chelsea Henderson is a well-rounded student-athlete who is involved in a number of extra curricular activities as a sophomore at Monticello High School. When Chelsea enrolled at Monticello, she earned a roster spot within the Mustang softball program. Chelsea participates in athletics as a member of the softball team and cheerleading squad. She first started playing softball as a seven year old at Cove Creek Park in the coaches’ pitch league. Chelsea refined her game at Cove Creek up until her 14th birthday. When Chelsea enrolled at Monticello, she earned a roster spot within the Mustang softball program. In addition to her involvement in athletics, Chelsea holds positions of leadership at MHS and in the community. Chelsea is a student council representative, has a position on the steering committee for the Big Brother/Big Sister mentor program, is a member of the student council for Albemarle County and also serves as peer mediator. On a personal note, Chelsea has been a member at First Baptist Church of Covesville since she was five. Chelsea serves as a member of the youth choir, the young people’s club, the usher board and the Sunday school at First Baptist Church. Chelsea looks forward to accomplishing much more in the future at her school and in the community.

(A WinStar is a female athlete who is currently in high school.)