Winter sports regular season play is coming to an end and many teams are anticipating postseason success.
The boys’ varsity indoor track and field team took home a first place trophy from the Ed Bowie Invitational Dec. 15. The team placed third the year before.
“The returning athletes have stepped up after losing key seniors last year,” senior hurdler Raj Pilaka said. “We have many new athletes who have also proved to be great assets and major point scores on the team.”
Boys and girls teams were titled champions at the Liberty District meet Jan. 31 for the fifth and second year in a row respectively.
“I am really proud for winning first place at districts for both the boys and girls teams,” junior sprinter Grace Gillen said. “Even though it is an individual sport we scored in a variety of events which shows that it really is a team effort.”
Distance coach Joseph Schuler expressed that he was pleasantly surprised with the success on both sides.
“The indoor season went much better than expected on the guys’ side,” Schuler said. “We knew the girls would do well because of their ranking. The guys stepped up at the district championships and competed closely with Langley. Lots of guys and girls are going the extra distance this season.”
Despite both teams’ district wins, Schuler says he still has doubts for further postseason team success.
“We plan to not compete for the region title at the Northern Region meet yet, but we will compete for personal best times and individual wins,” Schuler said. “We are about a year away from competing for the girls’ title with the talent and extra experience we will get.”
The Northern Region meet is scheduled at George Mason University Feb 16.
Girls’ varsity basketball finished their season strong this year as well, with high hopes for post season success. The team was ranked 20th by the Washington Post with a 19-3 regular season record.
“We will have a good chance of winning districts,” junior Caitlin Jensen said. “We have to play the way we have been we have to play to our best ability.”
The girls were titled IAABO Holiday Classic champions after defeating West Springfield, 42-34, Dec. 28.
“We have good team camaraderie because we are really close this year,” Jensen said. “This is the third year some of the girls have played together and we are playing well and working together well.”
Both girls and boys basketball will compete in the first round of districts on Feb. 12. District semifinals and finals are scheduled for Feb. 14-15.
Beginning their postseason play, boys varsity basketball goes into their first district game 9-13 against Fairfax on Feb. 12.
“It is disappointing as a coach and as players when we don’t play well,” head boys varsity basketball coach Andrew Duggan said. “This season has had its ups and downs, with so many new and young kids it has been a growth experience for coaches and players alike.
“Regarding districts, Langley and Jefferson are the only teams locked in the standings. We could be as high as third place and as low as sixth. We are playing good ball hoping to continue to post season and beyond.”
Wrestling came in second in the Liberty District meet with 13 of 14 athletes placing for a combined score of 167 on Feb. 4-5.
“We have had some ups and downs, but overall a very successful season,” junior wrestler Nick Willie said. “We placed second in the district, which was a great feeling since it is the best South Lakes has ever been in its history.”
Freshman Anas Fain, juniors Josh Forrest, Alex Smurda, and Terry Peterson, seniors Kevin Argueta and Chris Maginniss advanced the region meet which was held at Hayfield on Feb. 8-9.
In addition to this season’s sports success, dance team placed third at the South County Dance Invitational.
“We won third at our winter season competition and I couldn’t have been more excited,” senior dance team captain Erin Flattery said. “It was a great way to end my senior season.”
Swim and dive finished their regular season Jan. 18 with a 4-9-1 record.
“The most memorable moment of the season was Senior Night when girls had a close win over Fairfax and the boys tied,” assistant swim coach Zach Carter said. “The girls are a young team and there is up and coming talent if everyone stays healthy.”
Juniors Tope Oladimeji and Sasha Avilov advanced to the state meet along with sophomores Natalie Obando, Sabrina Groves, Kaylyn Macaluso and Katie Degutis after placing well at the regional meet.
Gymnastics finished their regular season meets Jan. 24 and placed fourth in the Liberty District tournament Jan. 28 with junior Jasmine Shuey proceeding to regionals.
“The season was great,” gymnastics coach Becky Slaight said. “We finished fourth in the district, from eighth last year, as a team.”
Overall winter sports saw major success and improvement, according to Director of Student Activities Linda Jones.
“We have enjoyed a very successful winter sports season,” Jones said. “The athletes put in the time to prepare this year, we have a strong coaching staff that is hard working, and the consistency of performance has improved. We still have much left to do this season.”
