"Quite a Feat"

Soon there will be 37 with the addition of Joe White ‘18 (boys lacrosse), Maggie Bostain ’20 (girls lacrosse), Kate Johnston ‘19 (soccer), and Scott Phillips ’18 (tennis), who were recently recognized for their excellence during the spring of 2018.

 

Over the years, the T-D has honored 28 Collegiate athletes as player of the year. Eight (including White) have been honored twice. Rachel Naurath ’10 was voted swimmer of the year three times. Twice before – in 2008 and 2009 – the T-D honored four Cougars. This spring is the first time four have been honored in one season.

 

“That's quite a feat,” said Karen Doxey, Collegiate’s athletic director. “It’s a tribute to our coaches and program and, of course, a real tribute to these four kids who have displayed not only talent but also outstanding work ethic year-round, leadership, and sportsmanship.”

 

A Penn State-bound attack, Joe White scored 49 goals, assisted on 40 others, scooped up 86 ground balls, and caused 22 turnovers during his final season.

 

He finished his five-year varsity career No. 1 in state history in goals (244), assists (181), and points (425). He is also No. 4 in program history in ground balls (348) and No. 7 (and tops among non-defensemen) in caused-turnovers (73). He was All-Prep League and All-VISAA each of the past four springs, All-Metro the past three, and US Lacrosse All-American the past two.

Head coach Andrew Stanley: “Joseph is one of the most accomplished scorers in state history, but he’s one of the most creative players I’ve ever seen. He loves to play the game. There are players you teach how to do things, and there’re players who show you things you teach others how to do. Joseph is one of the guys who has taught me what I need to teach others, and we’ve developed drills off things I’ve seen him do. Joe is unencumbered by conventionality. He doesn’t play within a box. Defensemen have the chance to take the ball away from an opponent over and over. The fact that Joe is No. 2 in a season and No. 7 all-time in caused turnovers means he is beating out guys because of his pure desire to have the ball back. He had the freedom and willingness to try things that really gave people fits.”

 

Joe on earning the T-D honor for the second year: “I’m really honored because of all the competition in the Richmond area. To be recognized is amazing. On maintaining a level of excellence: “Besides constant practice, I’m always finding something I need to work on. This year, it was being a better leader vocally. And it’s going out every day and playing and having a good time. On his career: “ I just love to play the game and always having great teammates who love to play. On his statistical achievements: “I don’t go out there to play for stats. I go out there because I love to play.”

 

Midfielder Maggie Bostain scored 69 goals, contributed 16 assists, and had 84 draw controls. Her two-year career ledger reads 105 goals, 25 assists, and 135 draw controls. Twice she has earned All-League of Independent Schools, All-VISAA, and All-Metro honors. This spring, she was also recognized as a US Lacrosse All-American.

 

Head coach Annie Richards: “Maggie is somebody you want on your team. She’s a rock star, not just in games but also in practice. She’s a quiet leader and one of the most humble kids I’ve ever met. Maggie’s a natural athlete. One of her biggest assets is her speed. She’s lightning fast. She comes out of nowhere. She can literally turn it on in the midfield whether she’s going to play attack, go and score

a goal, have a 2 v. 1 and make an assist, or if she’s running back to defend. It’s just 110 percent. We’ve gone by the motto ‘Heart, Hustle, Happy Days.’ Maggie brings heart every day, she hustles, and she plays happy.”

 

Maggie on earning the T-D honor: “It was just so unexpected. I’m just so humbled. I love to play lacrosse. It never seems like a chore or a task.” Why she loves the sport: “My teammates. The connections with the coaches. I couldn’t do what I do without my teammates and coaches.” The most fun part of lacrosse: “The fast pace and intensity of the game, and everyone working together. Not just you scoring but having three people pass the ball and getting a good shot.” On her statistical achievements: “I don’t really know my statistics at all. I just play to play.”

 

Kate Johnston began playing soccer year-round when she was seven years old. A midfielder and tri-captain, she’s a four-year varsity starter who has scored 17 goals and contributed 17 assists during her career. In the Cougars’ 2018 state championship season, she contributed eight goals and 13 assists, and earned All-Metro recognition in addition to All-LIS and All-VISAA honors for the second consecutive spring. She is the sixth Collegiate girls soccer player to be honored as T-D Player of the Year. The others are Anne Wiltshire '03 (2003), Heather Hallberg '04 (2004), Molly McKeon '08 (2006 and 2008), and Becky Patton '10 (2009).

 

Head coach Rob Ukrop on Kate: “KJ’s been tremendous. She defends. She attacks. She does whatever we need. She’s an exceptional leader. She knows when to push. She knows when to encourage. She shows up every day ready to compete. She’s a happy kid, too. And sportsmanship…just the way she treats her teammates, her opponents, and the referees…it’s top class. It’s putting others before herself and helping move us along to where we want to get.”

 

Kate on earning the T-D honor: “When Rob called to tell me, I was really surprised. Richmond has really good soccer. I play with a lot of incredible soccer players, so this is really an honor, really humbling.” On her approach to the game: “It’s just going out and doing what you love. It’s helping your teammates get better. When you play, you’re not thinking about anything else. I have a really competitive personality. I like to win. It’s just the feeling of making a tackle, winning the ball. It’s just the little moments that make you realize that all your work it worth it.” On the relative importance of the state title and individual honors: “The state championship, for sure. Last year, losing in the semifinals was one of the worst feelings. I don’t want to go back to that. I think that motivated us a lot. It was a really fun season, and it ended well.” On the future of Collegiate soccer: “Just work hard every practice and make each other better. We have high expectations for each other. We have to keep going. We can always get better.”

 

Add T-D player of the year to a host of honors that Vanderbilt-bound Scott Phillips has earned during his five-year varsity career. A two-year captain, he was All-Prep and All-VISAA each of his four years of high school, the last of which the Cougars won both the league and state titles. He was state player of the year as well as All-Metro in both ’17 and ’18. He was also the No. 1 player on Collegiate’s Greater Richmond High School Chess League championship squad and was recognized as a Times-Dispatch/Sports Backers Scholar-Athlete finalist. He's the fourth Collegiate boys tennis player to be selected as T-D Player of the Year. The others were Ryan Mostrom '05 (2003 and 2005), Max Schnur '11 (2011), and Brady Straus '12 (2012).

 

Head coach Karin Whitt on Scott: “Scott was all about the team and wise beyond his years.  Conversations with him were often similar to chatting with an assistant coach.  He led by example starting with his effort level on the court in matches and practices, in the weight room, and in the tennis classroom.  His love for all things tennis and the positive attitude he brought to the courts every day leave behind a strong legacy.”