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By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor
(April 28, 2015) – As high school student-athletes in Loudoun County make their decisions on what to do with their futures, many choose to continue pursuing an athletic career in college. LoCoSports is here to tell you about Life After Loudoun.
If you have any notes about LCPS graduates in college, please reach out through our contact form or email us at [email protected]
Loudoun County High School graduate Renay Aubel (2012) earned the Capital Athletic Conference Softball Player of the Week honor for April 19 through April 25 after the Frostburg State infielder led the Division III Bobcats to a 6-0 record on the week. Aubel hit .525 during the week including three home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored, 10 hits and two doubles. Frostburg State finished its season 24-12 with a 8-6 record in the CAC while Aubel finished her season batting .415 with 34 RBI and seven home runs.
In other CAC news, Tuscarora High School graduate Bernie Mayflower (2012) has helped the University of Mary Washington baseball team to a 27-7 record including a 13-5 mark in the conference before the Division III Eagles fell to Salisbury, 9-6, in the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament on April 18. Mayflower is currently 3-1 with a 3.56 ERA and has tallied 23 strikeouts over 30.1 innings pitched. The No. 24 Eagles are now waiting on a potential DIII NCAA Tournament bid which, if they earn a berth, will be announced on May 10.
Stone Bridge High School graduate J.B. Bukauskas (2014) earned a spot in the University of North Carolina’s starting rotation as a true freshman helping to lead the Division I Tarheels to a 29-15 record including a 13-10 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Bukauskas threw seven shutout innings on April 25, as No. 18 North Carolina beat ACC opponent Boston College 6-1. After reclassifying, and graduating from Stone Bridge a year early, Bukauskas is 4-1 with a 3.45 ERA, has struck out 56 batters over 62.2 innings, and has held opponents to a .221 batting average.
Bukauskas’ former high school teammate Devon Perez (2014) has dominated opponents while pitching for Iowa Western Community College this spring. The freshman is 6-0 with a 2.10 ERA and has struck out 43 batters over 34.1 innings leading the NJCAA Division I Reviers to a 27-5 record and the No. 3 ranking in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Briar Woods High School graduate Alex Carter (2012) looks to a be a late second or early third round pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL draft. Carter — who played his college football at Stanford University — was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention after all three of his seasons with the Division I Cardinal. According to his NFL.com draft profile, Carter’s a physical cornerback who could transition to safety at the professional level.
Heritage High School graduate Erika Grabbi (2011) made her first collegiate start on March 25 helping the Princeton University lacrosse team to a 19-7 victory over Cal. After limited playing time in her first three seasons with the Division I Tigers, Grabbi has played in nine games, including two starts, during her senior campaign, leading Princeton to a 7-0 record in the Ivy League and 12-3 record overall. On May 1, Grabbi — who has tallied four goals and an assist this season — and the Tigers will play rival Harvard in an Ivy League Tournament semifinal.
Grabbi’s younger brother and Tuscarora High School graduate Priit Grabbi (2014) helped the George Mason University novice four rowers to a second place finish in the petite final at the Knecht Cup on Mercer Lake in New Jersey on April 12. The Division I Patriots’ second varsity four won their final with the eleventh fastest varsity four time of the event.
In indoor track, former Loudoun County High School teammates turned Virginia Tech teammates Thomas Curtin (2011) and Patrick Joseph (2013) led the Division I Hokies to the 2015 NCAA DI Indoor Track & Field Championships team title. Joseph ran a 4:01.57 mile winning the ACC title for Virginia Tech. Curtin won the ACC 3,000-meter with a time of 7:52.92. Two weeks later Curtin went on to be named an All-American in both the 3,000-meter (8:03.56) and 5,000-meter (13:57.87) after finishing in eighth place in both events.
Owen Gotimer is a graduate of Heritage High School in Leesburg and is currently in his senior year at Syracuse University. Follow LoCoSports on Twitter (@LoCoSports) for up-to-date news and scores from around Loudoun County.
