#playingcollegiately

Nationwide, only about 6% of high school athletes continue their playing careers in the NCAA. At Walsingham, 18% of the athletes in the last three senior classes committed to continue their playing careers at the next level. Below is an update on the Trojan alumni who competed intercollegiately and professionally in the Winter 2016-17 season.

Billy Barnes (’14) - Catholic University - Basketball

Billy Barnes appeared in a career-high 20 games for the Cardinals in his junior season, shooting 8-29 from three-point range. He went 2-3 from long distance in a 65-64 victory over Juniata on January 7, helping Catholic prevail in their closest game of the season. As a team, the Cardinals had another strong season, finishing with a record of 17-9 and advancing to the semifinals of the Landmark Conference Tournament.

Austin Jennings ('15) - Washington & Lee University - Swimming

Austin Jennings enjoyed a strong sophomore season for Washington & Lee, competing mostly in the 500 Yard Free and 1,650 Yard Free. He placed 5th in the 1,650 Yard Free at the Randolph-Macon Invitational in early December, helping the Generals place 1st in the 10-team event. As a team, Washington & Lee went undefeated in dual- and tri-meets and won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship for the third consecutive season.

Brandon LaRose ('13) - Muhlenberg College - Basketball

Brandon LaRose enjoyed a fantastic senior season, starting every game for the Mules, averaging team-bests in points (12.1) and assists (2.5), and earning a spot on the Lehigh Valley Small College Basketball Team of the Year. He topped the 20-point mark five separate times, including a season-high 28 points in a heartbreaking triple overtime loss to Ursinis on January 18. As a team, Muhlenberg finished 12-12 to earn their best winning percentage since 2013-14. LaRose will graduate with a degree in business administration (marketing concentration), having made the Dean’s List in five semesters.

Dusan Vicentic - West Virginia Wesleyan College - Basketball

Dusan Vicentic appeared in 24 games during his freshman season, earning four starts for West Virginia Wesleyan. He scored in double figures three times, including a February 18 loss to Wheeling Jesuit where he scored 11 points and logged a season-high 27 minutes. As a team, the Bobcats went 13-16 and advanced to the second round of the Mountain East Conference Tournament.

Richard Washington - Wake Forest University - Basketball

Nationwide, only about 6% of high school athletes continue their playing careers in the NCAA. At Walsingham, 18% of the athletes in the last three senior classes committed to continue their playing careers at the next level. Below is an update on the Trojan alumni who competed intercollegiately and professionally in the Fall 2016 season.

Abby Cryts (’15) – Christopher Newport University – Field Hockey

Abby Cryts made a big leap in her sophomore season, appearing in 18 games and starting 8 at attack. She totaled 7 goals, tied for second on the team, and 14 points on 43 shots. Her season was book-ended with strong personal performances: Cryts scored twice in the season opener, a 4-0 win over Goucher, and was responsible for the lone goal in the regular season finale, a 1-0 win over rival Mary Washington. As a team, the Captains had another fantastic season, finishing with a record of 14-5 and advancing to the Capital Athletic Conference semifinals.

Jenna Hamra (’15) – Bridgewater College – Volleyball

After splitting setting duties as a freshman, Jenna Hamra took over the position full-time in 2016. She appeared in all 31 matches for Bridgewater en route to totaling a career-highs in assists (966) and service aces (47), both good for best on the team and second best in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Hamra's performance helped the Eagles make huge strides, as the team finished with a record of 21-10 and advanced to the ODAC Tournament semifinals. Hamra finished with 61 assists in the team's five-set victory over Guilford in the ODAC quarterfinals, giving the Eagles their highest win total since 2008.

Maggie Harris (’14) – Methodist University – Volleyball

Maggie Harris continued to cement herself as one of the best players in Methodist University history, playing every set in her junior season and leading the team in assists (939) for the third time in her three years with the program. Her career assist total now stands at 3,178, just 208 shy of the school's all-time record. As a team, the Monarchs finished the season with a record of 8-22.

Christine McBeath ('16) - Soccer - St. John's University

Walsingham Academy’s Christine McBeath (’16) has verbally committed to attend and play soccer for St. John’s University in New York City, where she will play for Head Coach Ian Stone.

Christine is going to do amazing things at St. John’s,” said Walsingham Girls Soccer Head Coach Kat Dominguez. “It’s a quality Division I program with a lot of international players and a lot of technical ability, but Christine has that drive to succeed. She’s grown so much as a player here at Walsingham, and we’re excited to see her keep improving over the next two seasons here as she prepares for the next level.”

A program on the rise, St. John’s has compiled a record of 53-38-9 over the past five seasons while playing in the Big East Conference and advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament in 2009 and 2013. Coach Stone is currently in his 21st season with the Red Storm, and holds a career record of 182-157-41, making him the winningest coach in program history.

“I think it’s going to be a great fit for me. I knew I wanted to go to school in a city and study business, said McBeath, who also plays for the Virginia Legacy club program. ‘I have a great relationship with Coach Stone, and I like that I’ll have the chance to compete for playing time immediately. I’m very excited to go to St. John’s.”

McBeath recorded four goals and 10 assists for the Trojans in 2014, making her the team’s leading scorer as a sophomore. In her two years as a starter as a midfielder and defender, McBeath earned TCIS Second Team All-Conference honors in both 2013 and 2014 and VISAA Second Team All-State in 2014.

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Via Rev City Sports:Walsingham's Christine McBeath verbally commits to play soccer at St. John's in 2016

Christine McBeath has verbally committed to play soccer at St. John’s University for the Class of 2016.

The Walsingham Academy junior announced her decision this week and couldn't be happier.

“I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to play (Division I) soccer, McBeath said. “It’s awesome to know that I get to continue on with my soccer career at the next level.”

McBeath has been a two-year starter for the Trojans, splitting time as a midfielder and defender. As a freshman, she scored three goals and added three assists. Last spring, she tallied four goals and 10 assists to earn second-team Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools honors.

Via WY Daily:

“He was scratching his head I think,” LaRose said of Lievense, who had been heavily recruiting LaRose since he was a junior. “He said, ‘You’re a Division I-caliber player and you’re going to pass up a full ride to a DII and play for a DIII?’ He couldn’t figure it out.”

LaRose, a two-time all-state and three-time all-Tidewater Conference selection who graduated in June as the all-time winningest boys basketball player in Walsingham history, said a few select words from Hampden-Sydney coach Dee Vick offered an interesting perspective in regards to his future.

“It’s not a four-year decision, it’s a 40-year decision,” Vick told LaRose.

LaRose, who hopes to pursue a career on the legal side of sports management, took the words to heart.

“I kind of had tunnel vision for playing DI,” LaRose said. “Coach Dee reminded there was more to college than just playing basketball.”

So LaRose examined his possible college destinations, the majors they offered and graduation rates before deciding that  HSC offered him the best balance between athletics and academics.

Walsingham Academy’s Abby Cryts (‘15) has committed to attend and play field hockey for Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, VA, where she will play for Head Coach Carrie Moura.

“I’m very excited to commit to Christopher Newport,” said Cryts, who hopes to major in criminology and minor in business. “I’ve been looking at the school for a while and had a chance to visit and meet a lot of the players. I’m just eager to continue to get better and learn as a player.”

Cryts will be joining a CNU program that completed one of the best seasons in program history in 2013, having finished the regular season with an undefeated record of 18-0, advanced to the Capital Athletic Conference tournament championship, and reached the NCAA Division III Final Four for the first time in school history. Coach Moura has compiled a record of 155-46 (.771) over the course of 11 seasons at CNU.

“We are extremely proud and happy for Abby,” said Walsingham Athletic Director Neil Bailey. “She’s been a mainstay for our field hockey program for years, and we have complete confidence that she is going to excel at the next level for Christopher Newport and Coach Moura.”

Cryts is a key contributor for the Trojans as a right midfielder and center forward, earning All-TCIS First Team honors for her efforts in 2013. She will get a preview of what life will be like in college this fall, as she plays for new Walsingham Head Coach and former CNU star Hilary St. Mary. The Trojans will also play an “Under the Lights” game at CNU’s Captains Turf Field on Friday, September 19 against Hampton Roads Academy.

Recent Walsingham graduate Miguel Kissoon ('14) has committed to play basketball at Mary Washington University. The point guard earned All-TCIS Second Team honors in 2013-14, leading the Trojans to a 22-8 record (8-1 in conference), the TCIS Tournament Finals, and the VISAA Division II Final Four. He will join an Eagles program that went 25-6 last season, won the Capital Athletic Conference Tournament, and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament Elite Eight.

Thomas Chisam ('15) has verbally committed to play baseball for James Madison. The rising senior will pitch and play as a designated hitter (DH) for the Dukes in the Spring 2016 season.

"I have always loved [James Madison], and the fact that I will get to play baseball there is a dream come true," said Chisam to the Virginia Gazette's John Harvey. "My priority is as a pitcher, but I will also DH while I'm there. My goal is to become a consistent starter as a DH and to be a weekend starter on the mound."

Chisam, who reportedly also drew interest from Navy, Air Force, and Virginia, was a key contributor for the 2014 Trojans, who advanced to the VISAA State Semifinals for the first time in program history. Thomas was named All-TCIS First Team for his efforts, which included batting a team-high .426 and setting a school record with three over-the-fence home runs.

Mitch Owens ('12) leads Hampden-Sydney basketball to win

Mitch Owens ('12), led Hampden-Sydney College to a conference victory over Shenandoah University on January 18. Owens scored 19 points on 6-8 shooting, including 5-7 behind the arc, to lead all scorers. Owens is averaging 7.8 points per game this season for the Tigers, who are now 10-5 on the season.

WY Daily coverage

Hampden-Sydney release

Corey Brown ('12) scores 17 for Randolph in loss

Starting his fifth consecutive game, Corey Brown ('12) led Randolph College in scoring, tallying a career-high 17 points on 7-15 shooting, as the Wildcats fell to Randolph-Macon 60-53 on January 18. The 15 field goal attempts represented another career high for Brown, as he continues to take on a larger role for Randolph. Brown also notched 6 rebounds and 4 assists, as the Wildcats fell to 9-6 on the season.