Leesburg, Va. — While heading into seventh grade, Emily Tyler decided to give rec field hockey a try. A year later, Tyler made a travel team the same year that the VHSL announced they’d be recognizing field hockey as a Tier 2 sport. Then a year after that, Tyler scored the first hat trick in Loudoun County High School history. And now just five years after she picked up a field hockey stick for the first time, Tyler has made a commitment to continue her field hockey career at Bridgewater College starting in the 2021-2022 school year. “Athletes dedicate so…
Author: Owen Gotimer
Owen Gotimer
Owen Gotimer is an award-winning journalist and small business owner from Leesburg, Virginia. After graduating from Heritage High School, Owen spent his college years at Syracuse University, where he studied broadcast and digital journalism in the renowned Newhouse School of Public Communications, before earning a Masters degree in social media, culture, and society from the University of Westminster. Owen owns OG Media, a full-service marketing partner specializing in website design & development, content creation, and graphic design & print. Additionally, Owen is the president of of the Jeffrey C. Fowler Memorial Scholarship.
Ashburn, Va. — From Vienna, Austria to Albany, New York to Ashburn, Virginia to Athens, Greece back to Ashburn, Virginia, Katrina Potak’s softball journey has been unlike any other. After first picking up a bat and ball while she was living in Greece, Potak’s family relocated back to Ashburn in 2011, where she became a member of the Broad Run High School softball program. Now, with a single high school season standing between her and college, Potak has made an early verbal commitment to relocate once again, this time to New Haven, Connecticut, where she will continue her softball career…
Leesburg, Va. — Less than 10 minutes into the game, the Washington Spirit found themselves in a predicament. After an early attack by forward Tara McKeown in the 2’, the Spirit were on the defensive when NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Midge Purce earned a free kick just outside the top of the box. Spirit defender Sam Staab was shown a red card on the play and exited the game in the 7’. Down a player for what ended up being the final 92 minutes, the Spirit put up a valiant effort, holding the lead for more than 10 minutes in…
Vienna, Va. — The Night Owls were a team that liked to play from in front. From the first game of the season, they had a target on their backs. Their offense was loaded with guys who hit for power and for average, their pitching staff was led by a local standout, and they trailed after the fourth inning in just 4 of their 17 wins heading into the championship game. So when designated hitter Yareb Martinez (Georgetown/John Champe) stepped into the box to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning with his team down a run, he had…
Loudoun County, Va. — In a special session on July 15, three different models were presented to the VHSL Executive Committee regarding when and how Virginia high school sports and activities could start in 2020-2021. “It’s important to remember that in all these models playing sports in the high risk category depends on being out of the current Phase III guidelines,” VHSL Executive Director Dr. John W. “Billy” Haun said. “All our efforts will continue towards advocating for the opening of sports and activities in a safe and reasonable way that will protect athletes, activity participants, coaches, officials, and the…
Vienna, Va. — For the Sliders of the Northern Virginia College League, it was just a matter of time. After dropping their first three games in the inaugural season of the NVCL, the Sliders have been on a tear—winning 5 of their last 6 games—showing no signs of slowing down after southpaw Brody Mack (William & Mary/Potomac Senior) tossed four scoreless innings and picked up the win in a 12-1 victory over the Yard Dogs on July 14 at Waters Field. “We knew we had a good ball club. It was just a matter of getting to know them, getting…