Acknowledging Excellence

Over the years, Collegiate’s athletes have at their best displayed toughness, resilience, resolve, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.
Sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and the joy of team have been hallmarks of their culture
Knock them down. They bounce back up, dust themselves off, smile, and keep moving forward. Challenges? Bring them on. The more, the better. They only enhance the narrative. Disappointments? Deal with them. Savor the lessons. Find the silver linings. 

For almost a year, COVID has presented unprecedented tests. Here, we acknowledge and honor a hardy and dedicated contingent of winter-season athletes, selected by their respective coaches and teammates, who have passed those tests with flying colors.

WRESTLING

Robert Woolwine, a senior, joined the Cougars’ wrestling team as a sophomore. 

“Robert’s work ethic and intensity on the mat have been an example for his teammates,” said Coach Andy Stone. “This year, he missed his opportunity to become an All-State wrestler. Despite losing the opportunity to compete, he has been a positive role model for all of our younger wrestlers.”

Charlie Kolbert, also a senior, has wrestled for Collegiate since the seventh grade.

“Charlie is a testament to consistent hard work paying off,” Stone said. “Despite being small for his weight class (285), Charlie had a successful junior year, and we were looking for him to become an All-State wrestler this year. Charlie has been a great leader and, like Robert, a great example for our younger athletes.”

Jenna Raggio, the program’s third senior, has been a pioneer in school’s girls wrestling program.

“Jenna grew from an unskilled and struggling beginner to a powerful competitor,” Stone said.  “She participated in the first girls national prep tournament last year and earned All-American honors. Jenna, Robert, and Charlie have done a great deal to build a culture of hard work, perseverance, and good humor. Collegiate Wrestling is thankful for their contributions and lucky to have had them as part of our program.”  
 
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Sophia Warner has been a member of the sprint group during her four-year varsity career. Now a senior, she’s competed in the 55 (personal best 8.21), 300 (51.50), 500 (1:31.44), high jump (4-8), and sprint relays. 
        
“Sophia always comes to practice with a smile on her face,” a teammate commented. “I have complete trust in her as not only a captain but as a person. She’s very personable and constantly trying to hype the team up. She has always been welcoming and inclusive.”
    
“Sophia,” said another teammate, “is not afraid to take on challenges. She cheers the rest of us which is uplifting. She’s a strong leader, committed to the success of every individual.”

During her three years on varsity, junior Catherine Horner has excelled in the pole vault (indoor best 9-6), 55 (8.19), 300 (45.71), and 500 (1:24.07). 

“Catherine loves to compete,” a teammate said. “She pours her heart and soul into this program. She invests time into getting to know her teammates and mentoring them.”

“Catherine looks upon each and every workout as an opportunity to improve,” another offered. “Her upbeat attitude transfers to her teammates and promotes an environment where even the most grueling workout is met with optimism.”

In her three varsity seasons, Olivia Nolt has also competed in a variety of events.
  
“Olivia is an athlete who flies under the radar but has an influence on her teammates that I don't think she even realizes she has,” Coach Beth Kondorossy said. “She’s kind, hardworking, dedicated, and loyal to this program.”

A senior, she ended her career with personal bests of 4-10 in the high jump, 8.55 in the 55, 50.27 in the300, 1:33.02 in the 500, and 10.13 in the 55 hurdles.

“Olivia,” said a teammate, “helps create a really great and comfortable team environment.”

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Henry Mountcastle, a senior co-captain, joined the track program a year ago, found his niche as a sprinter, and recorded personal bests in the 55 (7.73), 500 (1:11.82), and 55 hurdles (9.63). He also ran a leg of the 4x400 relay.

“Henry always brought good energy to practice,” a teammate said. “He never complained. He made practices more fun with his positive approach to training.”

“Henry’s leadership has been very strong, despite the lack of meets and COVID precautions,” said another. “He always works hard and is a very vocal leader.”

A two-season winter track veteran, junior Cam Holdych also found his niche as a sprinter. His personal- best ledger reads 7.17 in the 55, 39.39 in the 300, and 1:20.87 in the 500.

“Cam put in 110% every day at practice,” a teammate commented. “He always strived to make everybody around him better.” 

“Cam helped me with my form as well as strategies for running on more than one occasion,” another said. “He came into each workout with an internal drive to improve and kept his teammates motivated, enthusiastic, and positive. He was always encouraging and supportive.”

A three-year indoor track athlete, Thomas Hutchins, a senior captain, excelled as a middle distance runner. His resume includes the 500 (personal best 1:10.94), 1000 (2:52.33), 1600 (5:31.87), and a leg of the 4x800 relay.

“Thomas is enthusiastic and makes the team more motivated,” a teammate said. “He showed leadership every day and was a major driver of the distance team’s continued motivation during this tough season.”

“Hutch is a great leader,” another observed. “It’s as simple as that. He’s worked hard to build morale and help his teammates feel connected in a wacky year. He embodies the values of sportsmanship that are important in track and field.”

A junior distance runner, Ian Quindoza has recorded impressive lifetime bests in the 500 (1:13.33), 1000 (2:54.51), 1600 (4:37.87), mile (4:46.49), 3200 (10:17.97), and two-mile (10:43.26).

“Ian always works super hard to better himself and his teammates by leading with his voice and by example,” one teammate commented.

“He ran every day over break and set the tone for the team,” said another. “He always goes more miles than the minimum.”

Alfred Stratford, a four-year track veteran and senior captain, has competed as a sprinter and horizontal jumper, but his true strength is the high jump. He was the 2020 Prep League and VISAA champ in his specialty, clearing a personal best 6-5 on consecutive Saturdays despite the pressure of top seed both weeks. Should he be able to compete again, he has his sights set on the school record (6-8) set by David Shannon in 1982.

“Alfred Stratford,” commented a teammate, “is truly one of the best track and field athletes I have ever seen at Collegiate. His natural talent in the high jump is strengthened by his leadership skills. We will all miss him next year.”

GIRLS SWIMMING

Despite the dearth of competitive opportunities, the swimming team selected senior freestyler Elyse Cram its Most Valuable Performer based on her intangible and irreplaceable contributions.

“Elyse was the backbone of practice,” said Coach Mike Peters. “She could always be counted on to perform each drill correctly, give her best effort, and stay on interval schedules. She did this all with a smile and a positive attitude that spread among her teammates. The swimmer in her lane always had a better practice because of Elyse.”

Anastasia Redmond, a senior who competed in sprint freestyle events, drew notice as the squad’s Most Improved Swimmer.

“With the practice limitations and shortened season,” Peters said, “it was difficult to drop time. Anastasia went a best time in almost every swim this season. This was due to an increased intensity in practice that went with her usual humor and enjoyment of the experience.”

Lily Hunnicutt, a senior whose specialties are the 100 and 200 freestyle races, earned the respect of her teammates and coaches who acknowledge her with their Team Award.

“It is hard to think of a swimmer who has cared more for her team than Lily,” Peters said. “She often looks only to what points and seconds matter to the team score and often overlooks what her presence on deck does to inspire her teammates. She is the first to cheer for a swimmer and also the first to console a disappointed friend. Her favorite thing to do on the team is cheer!”

BOYS SWIMMING

Though his senior season included few opportunities to enhance his resume, Georgetown commit Liam Ryan earned his coaches’ and teammates’ respect as well as their Most Valuable Performer Award. His main events are the individual medley and breaststroke. As a junior, he was All-State in four events, All-Prep in three, and Prep League co-swimmer of the year.

“I could cite Liam based solely on points and times or I could name him based on leadership,” Peters said.  “He is an eight-time All-State swimmer and had a good chance to win multiple state titles this year. Liam has always looked out for his team and rarely looks for individual glory. His favorite memories are always being part of a relay.”

In his three years at Collegiate, Anran Zhao has made significant improvement, which is why his coaches and teammates consider the senior freestyler and breaststroker the squad’s Most Improved Swimmer.

“This award is for someone who goes beyond this season,” Peters said. “Anran came to Collegiate as a sophomore whose times put him in line with some of our JV swimmers. In three years, he’s dedicated himself, swimming year-round as well as working hard at many Collegiate practices as a double. He’s improved greatly to become a state level swimmer.”

Senior Brian Kwon has swum the individual medley and butterfly and shown marked improvement during his tenure at Collegiate, but his greatest contribution might be the tone he sets for his teammates, the criterion for the Team Award.

“There have not been many swimmers who put as much into Collegiate swimming as Brian,” Peters said.  “He was first to put the team before himself and was a focal point for cheering on deck. You could always see his passion come out in each swim. This year, he was a great captain and looked at ways to unite the team.”

GIRLS BASKETBALL

In this unusual and challenging year, the girls varsity basketball team recognized players based on three cornerstones of its program.

PLAY HARD: junior captain and guard Amani Kimball-McKavish.  

“Amani always comes to practice ready to play and compete,” said coach Rives Fleming. “She is mentally focused at every practice, and she always works hard to improve. As a captain, she certainly models how we want our players to work, and her actions motivate the girls to give their best as well. This award can be called our Tai Chi award (toughness, aggression, intensity, competitiveness, and heart). During a regular season, this is how Amani plays, and she has brought these same characteristics to socially distant practice.”

PLAY SMART: freshman guard Lily Berger

“Lily is committed to basketball, and she has developed ‘smart’ characteristics in her time on the team,” Fleming said. “She is very fundamental and skilled, she sees the floor well as our point guard, she unselfishly involves her teammates, and she is developing a strong understanding of the game. In her coaches’ and teammates’ minds, she definitely knows how to play basketball, and she has a bright future in the game.”

PLAY TOGETHER: sophomore forward Virginia Ballowe.

“We also call this honor our Team Award,” Fleming said.  “Virginia fits all the qualities we talk about in the description: selfless contribution to the team, spirit, and class. Virginia stands out for her positive mental attitude – she is always ‘up’ for practice - as well as her energy and communication. She is a leader on the court. She is always talking, both to help her teammates play better on the court and to support them off the court.”

BOYS BASKETBALL

The boys varsity basketball team honors its four seniors.

Mac Macdonald: “Mac’s journey from cub basketball to All-Prep League embodies everything that our program strives to be,” said Coach Del Harris of the Naval Academy commit who last year averaged 21.9 points and 6.6 rebounds per game and was selected third team All-Metro. “His value and impact can't be summed up in wins, records, or stats. Simply stated, he is Collegiate boys basketball: character, integrity, hard work, and selflessness. The Naval Academy will gain one of the best freshmen in the country because of those values.”

Nkosi Budd: “The quiet, calm, consistent, and strong demeanor of the Budd family has helped shape our program over the last six years,” said Harris, referencing Nkosi’s older brother Ayinde, a 2019 graduate. “Watching Nkosi’s growth has been tremendous, and I could not be more proud to watch his continued development. His consistent and positive spirit is destined for success at the next level.”   

Adam Nimaga: “Adam’s value of hard work and competitiveness separates him and will continue to do so,” Harris said.  “He is one of the better defenders we've had in many years. It has been a joy to be around him and watch him accomplish his goals.”

James Daniel: “Leadership and being a great teammate can be a challenge for many,” Harris said. “James has mastered both and grown into a role where many would not have embraced the process long enough to see the success.  All James's accomplishments are due to his work ethic and trust in the process.”

FUTSAL

The Futsal team honors four players for above-and-beyond contributions on the often cold and windswept turf at the Robins Campus.

Outstanding Achievement: junior defender Will Neuner: “Will is committed to his craft as a soccer player,” said Coach Page Chapman. “He makes people around him better by challenging them to be the best they can be.  He is one of the elected captains, and he has done a fantastic job in setting the tone for his teammates on and off the field.  Will embraces the core values of the entire Collegiate community and continues to embrace the concept of leading by example.”

Most Improved: freshman midfielder Cooper Winston-Evans: “Cooper came into the season somewhat nervous about his overall play and his willingness to impose his will in practice,” Chapman said. “Throughout the season he has improved in his speed of play and his ability to compete at the highest level.  His composure and confidence have grown tremendously, and he will continue to be a bright spot in the future of the Collegiate soccer program.”

Team Award: senior defender Tyler Ewing: “Tyler has always been a strong listener which reflects through his confidence on the field,” Chapman said. “Tyler always puts 100% effort into everything he does. His overall attitude and coachability rub off on the people around him. Tyler embraces the old saying, ‘There’s no I in team,” and is respected by his peers and coaches.”

Team Award: junior midfielder Jack Hill: “Jack is a very skilled soccer player who always connects with everyone on the team,” Chapman said.  “He continues to be a sponge in terms of soaking up information from coaches and peers and applying it to his overall performance. His commitment to the program is commendable, and he’s earned the respect of the people around him.”
~ Weldon Bradshaw
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