Alexandria area alums wrap up college athletics careers
Ben ONeill, a 2004 graduate of Episcopal High School, just completed his college eligibility as a member of the Johns Hopkins University National Championship Runners-up Lacrosse Team. On May 26, in Foxboro, Mass., the Hopkins Blue Jays dropped a 13-10 decision to Syracuse University, in the National Title Game. ONeill, a defenseman for the Blue Jays, has logged a significant number of minutes during his four seasons at the Baltimore, Md., Division One lacrosse powerhouse. Interestingly, Hopkins plays Division III in all sports other than mens and womens lacrosse.
During his four high school seasons at Episcopal, ONeill played lacrosse for Pete Gillen, played football for veteran Mark Gowin and played basketball for Tim Yeager. During ONeills collegiate junior and freshman years (2007 and 2005 respectively), Hopkins defeated Duke in both seasons for the Division One NCAA Lacrosse Title. ONeills older brother, Jason (EHS 02), played NCAA football at Harvard.
At the recent NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals selected Tim Hightower, a class of 2004 Episcopal High School grad, in the fifth round. Hightower, who was a running back for the University of Richmond Spiders, was selected 149th overall at the draft. The 61 225 pound Hightower holds a significant number of offensive records at both Episcopal and at Richmond.
Like ONeill, Hightower played high school football in the City of Alexandria for veteran head coach/athletic director Mark Gowin. Hightower was the second running back chosen from Alexandria in the past two NFL Drafts. In the 2007 NFL Draft, T.C. Williams alumnus Tony Hunt, who played collegiately at Penn State, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round.
Bishop Ireton Girls Lacrosse dropsWCAC title game
The Bishop Ireton Girls Lacrosse Team dropped the recent Washington Council Athletic Conference title game to Good Counsel 11-8, at the University of Marylands Ludwig Field. Ireton, coached by Mia Hurrin who was finishing her first season at the school, raced to an early 4-0 lead and led the Falcons 5-1 with 11:54 remaining first half.
However, the Falcons, coached by veteran Michael Haight, scored five consecutive goals to take a 6-5 lead into halftime.
Ireton tied the contest 6-6 with 23:40 remaining second half, but after that point Good Counsel, from Olney, Md., took control of the Championship contest for good. The Falcons bolted to a 7-6 lead and never looked back.
The Alexandria, Va., Cambridge Road Cardinals were paced by sophomore Janet Tela who scored three goals, junior Brittany Barnwell with two goals and senior Julianne Tela, junior Chesney Hellmuth and junior Allie Fife, each of whom had one goal. Ireton lost the 2006 WCAC Title Game to Good Counsel as well.
14 National District Boys Lacrosse players honored
MOUNT VERNON
First team honorees: Wyatt Floyd, Matt Heller, James Lamm, Branden OClisham, Michael Hull and Danny Conlin (also selected as Defensive Player of the Year.)
Second team honorees: Brendan Doyle, Brian Green, Brett Kitchen and Adam Humphries
EDISON
First team honorees: Kevin Carter, Taylor Miller and Justin Nance
Second team Honoree: Angus Harper
In addition, Edison High School received the Sportsmanship Award.
10 National District Girls Lacrosse recognized
MOUNT VERNON
First team honorees: Megan Gibbs and Annie Palgutt
Second team honorees: Grace Valentine, Samantha Baxter and Ashley Mathieu
EDISON
First team honorees: Meg Caldwell and Becca Knutsen
Second team honoree: Corinne Spitzer
Honorable mention honorees: Asha Baig and Maggie Sawyers
