Unsung Seniors, Spring 2017

Kate Partlow has been a loyal and dedicated member of the distance contingent since she was a 7th Grader.

 

“Kate has been a phenomenal leader and teammate,” said Matthew Richardson, who oversees Collegiate’s distance program. “Her encouragement for her teammates has been a constant source of motivation.”

 

Coachable, fun-loving and kind, Kate achieved personal bests of 5:42 in the 1600 and 12:30 in the 3200.

 

“Kate has worked tirelessly to be the best runner and teammate she can be,” Coach Richardson added. “She exemplifies the value of putting others before self and has nurtured runners young and old to become better athletes. While doing all of this, Kate has consistently held herself accountable to a very high standard.”

 

Well known for his basketball and football prowess, Berkeley Geho joined the track team thee years ago as a shot putter and discus thrower.

 

“Berkeley is a natural leader who holds high standards for himself at school, on the athletic field, and in the community,” said Beth Kondorossy, Collegiate’s throws coach. “He’s a competitive athlete and teammate who is inclusive, fun, hardworking and incredibly humble.”

 

Berkeley ended his career with personal bests of 44-0 in the shot put and 122-3 in the discus. His third-place finishes in his specialties at the Prep League meet at Norfolk Academy earned valuable team points.

 

“There are many younger athletes who look up to Berkeley and aspire to be like him,” Coach Kondorossy added. “I’m not sure he realizes the impact he has on the people around him.”

 

Marnie Brennan has played goalie on the varsity lacrosse team since her sophomore year.

 

“Marnie shows up every day ready to improve,” said Coach Annie Richards. “Playing goalie can be a thankless position because each day you are hit hard with powerful shots. Marnie never complains. She toughs out each drill and each game, and she’s constantly trying to improve.” 

 

A highlight of the Cougars’ 17-5 season was Marnie’s career-high, 10-save performance in their 9-6 victory over St. Catherine’s in the League of Independent Schools title game..

 

“Marnie kept up in close games,” Coach Richards added. “We had three games decided by one goal this season. Marnie has kept us in each game. Seeing her celebrate with her teammates at the end of the (St. Catherine’s) game was awesome.”

 

Grant Villanueva, the point guard on Collegiate’s 18-11 basketball team, spent the final season of his prep career on the lacrosse field.

 

A true “heart-and-soul” guy, Grant played defensive midfield with the same fire and intensity with which he directed the Cougars’ offense this past winter.

 

“Grant was a tenacious competitor who was willing to take on any role we needed,” said Coach Andrew Stanley. “His ability to ‘fight and smile’ set an example for the team in how to deal with adversity and never quit. Non-captain seniors are often a key to a team's success. Grant was no exception. We would have been in real trouble without him.”

 

A three-year varsity softball veteran, Cristina Muncy was a backup outfielder and a courtesy runner and helped the Cougars finish 14-6 and advance to the LIS championship game. During her career, she played in 63 games, stole 43 bases and scored 66 runs. 

 

“Cristina is that player who will do whatever you need her to do,” said Coach Robby Turner. “When she moved up to varsity, we switched her to being a left-handed batter even though she had never done this before. We wanted to be able to use her speed a little bit more. When we started one season with only one catcher, Cristina worked as a catcher in the event that we had an injury. Her ability to run the bases is her biggest contribution. It has really been a game-changer for us."

 

The first year Justin Schruijer played varsity baseball, he saw most of his action as a courtesy runner. He became the starting leftfielder as a junior and never relinquished his spot.

 

This spring, he started all 24 games for the 15-8 Cougars, hit .269 with a .480 on-base average and led the team in bases on balls (18).

 

“Justin was a great player for us,” said Coach Andrew Slater. “He really developed over his junior and senior years. He was a real strong defender, then became a heck of a good offensive player. He’s tough, gritty and willing to do the little things we needed done for our team to have success: get bunts down, play great defense, get the hit-by-pitch, draw the walk, compete.”

 

Olivia Hess, a defender and three-year varsity soccer veteran, is the type of player with whom coaches and teammates love to share practice time, game days and road trips.

 

“Olivia played very few minutes, but you’d never know it if you watched her interact with her teammates and encourage them,” said Coach Rob Ukrop. “That was a very good model for the younger girls.”

 

This season, the Cougars finished 16-3-1, won the LIS championship and advanced to the VISAA semifinals. The success was the result of strong play, of course, but also spirit and teamwork.

 

“One of the highlights,” Coach Ukrop continued, “was when she started on Senior Day and we got off to one of our best starts, setting the tone for a victory allowing us to claim the regular season LIS title. Olivia has meant so much to the girls’ soccer program."

 

Brenton Hayward, a co-captain of the VISAA runner-up golf team, scored in the top four in eight of the 11 golf matches he played. He was the medalist when he shot a 37 against St. Christopher’s on The Country Club of Virginia’s par 36 Tuckahoe Creek Course.

 

It was the little things, however, that made his season so memorable for Coach Chris Williams.

 

“Brenton’s off-the-course leadership stood out to me,” Coach Williams said. “He was always texting guys info and setting up team dinners. He was always the first to greet the visiting coach and wish him good luck. You can replace players on the course but replacing his sportsmanship and leadership skills will be very difficult.”

       -- Weldon Bradshaw