Maggie Walker is known for achieving many awards. Debate, Drama, BOB Squad, Virginia Math League, Model Congress, and Model United Nations - without fail, MLWGS’ clubs and activities bring prestige and honor to the school.
Rarely, though, is MLWGS recognized for its athletic prowess. Underneath the rough exterior of AP Calculus BC, AP Physics, and AP US History, resides an untouched beast. A beast that has awakened in full force this year, bringing three Maggie Walker sports teams to states.
Field Hockey
Game: Maggie Walker Girls Field Hockey
Time: Thursday, 3:00 P.M.
Place: National Training Center, Virginia Beach
Cost: $8
Opponent: 21-1 Lake Braddock
Goal: Destruction
Don’t let that 16-4 record fool you – Maggie Walker Field Hockey is much better than its .750 season shows. Returning to the state tournament after a five year hiatus, the Green Dragons are hungry and ready to pounce.
A stellar defense and a rejuvenated offense should help the Green Dragons today against their state tournament foes. After suffering a tough 3-0 loss to Thomas Dale in the regional finals, Maggie Walker is looking for revenge… this time against a Northern Region champion – Lake Braddock.
They should be on even playing fields with Lake Braddock, though, as they both played their regular seasons on grass. As most northern Virginia teams play their games on turf (as the state tournament will be played on), they tend to have an advantage, but Maggie Walker has been practicing on the local VCU turf, readying themselves for their first state tournament in half a decade.
A win sends them into Friday’s semifinal match. A loss? Well, we’ll take pride in a season well fought.
Cross Country
Underdogs.
That one word defines the Maggie Walker Girls Cross Country team’s chances during the state tournament. Qualifying first in the region, the Green Dragons were ranked sixth based on their running times.
“We were the mega-underdogs,” said Clarissa Schick (’10). “We pretty much showed everybody who’s boss.”
Led by co-captains Susannah Piersol (’09) and Caroline Vines (’09), the Green Dragons placed an astounding second at the state tournament, tying the school’s best showing ever. With their top six runners going under 20 minutes (that’s really, really good), the Cross Country team was on fire. On top of that, three runners ran their personal best times – Caroline Newcowb (’10), Anna Spiers (’11), and Emily Bird (’10). If these accolades weren’t enough, Katie Ardiff (’10) and Piersol were also chosen to second-team all state. Rena Hamzey (’10) rounds out the Green Dragons’ top runners.
“Placing second is a really big accomplishment given the size of our school,” said Vines.
For states, the girls sprayed their hair with glitter.
“It was a method of pumping us up,” said Vines.
Obviously it worked, with the girls making school history, and Maggie Walker establishing themselves as an athletic school to be reckoned with.
The MLWGS basketball team conditions during tryouts. Winter sports began tryouts on Monday. Photo by Charles Condro.
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