Unsung Seniors, Spring 2025

5/19/2025

Gather ‘round, folks, and meet the latest class of Unsung Seniors, a group of Collegiate athletes who distinguished themselves in their final season but did so beneath the radar.

Caroline Crawford has competed on the varsity lacrosse for three years. Playing attack, she’s contributed 17 goals 20 assists, three caused turnovers, and 12 ground balls during her career.

“Caroline has been a role player every year for us,” said coach Carter Toohers. “She works tirelessly each day, she’s the first one to celebrate other people’s successes, and she sees the field and spacing very well. She’s a true team player and has gotten better every year.”

A three-season varsity lacrosse performer, Grayson McNeely, a faceoff specialist and defensive midfielder, won 54 percent of his faceoffs and collected 48 ground balls during his final season.

“Defensive midfield is the toughest and most thankless position on the field and requires a lot of grit,” said coach Jason Archbell. “I felt like Grayson could be a perfect fit for it. I had a conversation with him one day after practice telling him that we could really use him on the defensive end of the field, and it would help our team. The conversation lasted about 20 seconds. He totally bought in and fully embraced the role from that point forward. No matter how exhausted he was on the sideline, he was always ready to take another run to help our team.

“Grayson is also a great change-of-pace faceoff player for us who frustrates opponents with his scrappiness and determination. He does everything with a huge smile on his face and a genuine passion for the game and for helping his teammates. He embodies our core values of selflessness, toughness, and enthusiasm and was integral to our success this season by doing all the little things that most people outside our team would not notice.”

Sadie Webb joined the track and field program this past winter and immediately made her mark.

“Sadie has been such a fantastic addition to the track program both this winter and spring,” said Beth Kondorossy, head girls track coach. “She takes every workout as a chance to improve, and her consistent effort does not go unnoticed.”

This spring, she ran personal bests of 2:29.87 in the 800, 5:29.29 in the 1600, and 11:36.92 in the 3200 as well as a 2:22 split in the 4x800 relay.

She shares the school 4x800 relay record both indoors (9:52.28) and outdoors (9:31.75) with Nora Wallace, Rosie Ferrell, and Virginia Harris.

“Sadie came out for track the first time this winter and instantly loved running,” said distance coach Matthew Richardson. “She’s hard working, dedicated, and very disciplined. She’s a joy to coach and brings joy to her teammates and makes other people better each day. She’s learned a lot about running. She’s learned a lot about herself, and she’s fallen in love with the sport of distance running.”

Brandon Anderson, a Bridgewater College football commit, has recorded personal bests of 11.20 in the 100, 6-2 in the high jump, and 23-1 in the long jump and, with Noah McDaniel, Xay Davis, and Nasir Diggs, is a member of the school record (43.51) 4x100 relay team.

“Brandon has such a positive and contagious spirit,” said Brent Miller, head boys track coach. “He’s a great competitor who works hard to prepare for every meet. I’ve been impressed with his growth as an athlete and as a leader this year. He came out for winter track for the first time, which set him up nicely for a very successful spring season. The younger athletes look up to him for guidance both on and off the track. I couldn't be prouder of the legacy he’ll leave after graduating.”

Bridgette Schutt is a two-year member of Collegiate’s girls golf team and, during matches, competed in the Cougars’ regular rotation.

“Bridgette has shown a great deal of improvement since the season began,” said head coach Mark Palyo. “She’s grown into one of the most consistent ball strikers on the team, especially with her chips. Bridgette is competitive as well. When she misses that perfect strike on the ball, I can see her frustration. When she strikes it well, I have seen her get in the zone and knock down great shot after great shot.”

Britton Berson has played varsity soccer throughout her high school career.

“Britton has been an incredible teammate,” said Coach Rob Ukrop. “While she’s been a role player, she’s been an exceptional teammate who always puts team success first. Britton’s positive approach to life, her sense of humor, and her love for her teammates have been critical in the growth of our young team. She’s also not afraid of the big moment, contributing a huge, game-winning goal against Covenant earlier this season when our team needed a spark off the bench.”

A right handed pitcher and third baseman, Harrison Baxter has played varsity baseball for three seasons, the last two as a starter.

He pitched 23.2 innings, struck out 19, went 2-1 with one save, and had a 2.37 earned run average. At the plate, he batted .266 with 14 runs batted in.

“Harrison was consistent, supportive, and a great teammate all season,” said Coach Andrew Slater of the Rhodes College signee. “We know what we’re going to get with Harrison every day. He’s going to show up, work hard, and be a team-first guy.”

A tennis captain, Alexander Tan played as high as the No. 5 position in singles and compiled a 6-1 record. In doubles (mostly No. 3) he played with five different partners (Brayden Bogese, Tyler Geldreich, Tyler Kave, Andrew Everett, Fletcher Bor) and recorded a 13-5 mark, including key wins over Western Albemarle, Sidwell Friends, Woodberry Forest, and Norfolk Academy.

“Alexander brought high energy, a high effort level, and a willingness to improve each and every day,” said Coach Karin Whitt. “He also modeled a beast-mode mentality in the weight room and was a significant voice in team room conversations, tennis classroom sessions, and on the bus. While he was a contributing starter, it was his eagerness to improve his teammates and himself that we’ll miss the most.”

Frank MacNelly, who earned his stripes as an All-Prep League basketball player, went out for golf in his final high school season.

“When Frank made the team, I told him that we needed a glue guy who would support his teammates,” said Coach Shep Lewis. “Frank assured me that he’d be a great teammate, and he delivered on that promise. Though rarely in the lineup, he came out to our matches and rooted on his teammates. He brought positivity and a sense of humor each day. Frank was a great addition to the team, and everyone enjoyed his presence.”

~Weldon Bradshaw

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