Ashburn, Va. — Briar Woods High School senior Skylar Sload has made a verbal commitment to continue her golf career at the University of Virginia beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year.
“I’m excited to wear the Cavalier sweatshirt for life,” the 5-foot-9 Sload said. “I always knew UVA was an incredible academic school, and after getting to know my new future coach and meeting some of my soon-to-be teammates this summer, I knew I wanted UVA to be a part of my collegiate journey.”
Led by eleventh-year head coach Kim Lewellen, the Division I Cavaliers have finished in the top 25 teams in the country every season since 2005. UVA opens its 2017-2018 season when the Cavaliers travel to Nashville on September 15 to compete in the Mason Rudolph Championship.
“My energy, competitiveness and my passion for golf are endless,” Sload said. “I’m determined to be successful, so UVA can expect me to work hard and always give my best. I’ll also be the first to celebrate my teammates’ accomplishments.”
Sload has had numerous accomplishments of her own while golfing for Briar Woods High School. In 2016, she placed second in the VHSL 5A North region before tying for eighth in the VHSL Women’s Open State Championship. In both 2015 and 2016, Sload was named a Cheers and LoCoSports All-LoCo honorable mention.
After moving to Virginia, Sload joined the Falcons golf team as the sole female golfer in 2015.
“Instead of being intimidated, it motivated me to play my best golf and to be a great teammate by sharing my enthusiasm and support for everyone,” Sload said. “Now a senior, I can honestly say playing on the Briar Woods golf team has been a great experience. I have great coaches and teammates,and I’ve made some really good friends. I also appreciate all of the support from many of our competing school’s coaches, their teams and our community!”
While she has had great success at Briar Woods, Sload is relatively new to competitive golf. Before moving to Virginia, Sload’s dad took her to a driving range, where she picked up a club, hit a few balls and fell in love with the game.
“I’d never felt so much adrenaline and empowerment,” Sload said. “I was immediately hooked and knew I wanted to learn the game.”
Sload put that plan in action when she attended the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship. At just 19-years-old, American Lexi Thompson won the tournament, shooting 14-under to edge out well-known Michelle Wie.
“For four days, I followed and cheered on Lexi Thompson. The final day, I walked the course chatting with her mother, and she shared with me Lexi’s junior golf experience that lead her to this tournament,” Sload said. “When Lexi won the tournament, I watched her take the Poppy’s Pond plunge with her caddy. I wished that someday I would play as well as Lexi and have the honor of being one of the ‘Ladies of the Lake’ too!”
