(October 7, 2015) – In an effort to better recognize student-athletes in Loudoun County who positively affect high school athletics in the area, the LoCoSports team has selected its September 2015 Athletes of the Month for cross country, football and volleyball.
The selections were made based on the following criteria: success, hustle, work ethic, attitude and heart.
If you wish to nominate a student-athlete for athlete or teammate of the month, please reach out through our contact form or email us at locosportsnews@gmail.com.
By Joe Skinner
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A leader can fall under a broad set of qualifications. Fortunately for Dominion’s Julia Avoletta, she can say she falls under just about all of them. Not only a senior and stat-leader among the Titans, she shows the grit and determination in the clutch moments to help solidify her spot as a leader among her teammates.
“[Avoletta] takes her leadership role seriously and positively influences her teammates both on and off the court,” Dominion head coach John Senchak said. “Whether [she is]delivering an awe-inspiring kill at a critical moment or chasing down a pass and sending a perfect set to one of her teammates, it sets her apart and makes her one of the conference’s most dominant and complete players.”
Senchak also goes on to say that Avoletta – who just committed to play at Division I West Virginia — is one of the most important parts to the Dominion offense as the floor captain and sparkplug with 54 kills, 92 assists and 10 aces as the Titans near the halfway point of their 2015 campaign.
“Her junior season marked [her]breakout year, and she came back bigger, better and stronger for her senior season,” Senchak said. “Because of Julia’s fierce competitive nature, coupled with her dominant play, Dominion High School’s opponents have to account for her presence on the court at all times.”
By Chloe Adam
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Nominated by Reed Prosser
Heritage High School’s football team is off to one of their best seasons ever and lighting up the scoreboard! Second-year starting quarterback Alex Carlin has led his team to a 5-0 start, proving they are a team to be reckoned with in the VHSL 4A West region’s Conference 21B.
“Alex is a special athlete in several ways,” Heritage head coach Reed Prosser said. “He is gifted physically in his ability to play the game. He has a tremendous work ethic and expectation for himself.”
The 6-foot, 155-pound quarterback has had a phenomenal start to the season. Through five games, Carlin has thrown for 966 yards and 12 touchdowns on 44-of-65 passing without an interception. The dual-sport student-athlete has also carried the ball 18 times for 146 yards and four scores.
“Alex has an impact on the team in several different ways. His leadership, poise and understanding of the offense and the situation allow him to make great decisions,” Prosser said. “Alex is rarely rattled and constantly tries to achieve perfection. His work ethic enforces his natural leadership traits.”
By Owen Gotimer
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As the cross country season passes its halfway point, Woodgrove High School sophomore Emma-Jane Kimmett continues to turn in impressive times.
On August 30, Kimmett (20:28) placed 19th at the Great Meadow Invitational in The Plains.
Just three days later, Kimmett (20:38) turned in the top time at a six-team meet featuring Handley, James Wood, John Champe, Millbrook, Sherando and Kimmett’s Wolverines.
A week-and-a-half after that, Kimmett (19:44) won her second race of the season, this one at the Judges Classic in Winchester.
As course records were broken in Leesburg, Kimmett (20:42) posted a 37th place finish at the Oatlands Invitational on September 19 followed a week later by a 61st place finish – among a field of over 200 – at the 23rd Carlisle Invitational in Pennsylvania.
Most recently, Kimmett (21:07) ran to a 22nd place finish at the Loudoun County Public Schools Championship on September 30 in Purcellville.
“There are a number of attributes that make Emma-Jane a successful athlete,” Woodgrove head coach Scott Burns said. “First, she is a very physically gifted runner. Secondly, she is very focused and goal oriented. Thirdly, she has the mental toughness that allow for the first and second attributes to play well for her.”
