By Owen Gotimer LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief [twitter-follow screen_name=’BigO_Gotimer’] Purcellville (September 13, 2016) – High school teams do not have the same luxury that professional teams are sometimes granted regarding long-term roster consistency and team chemistry. Teams turnover on a yearly basis as seniors graduate, and the transition period can be taxing. While the Potomac Falls High School volleyball team is no different than other teams transitioning from the previous year, the 2015 VHSL 5A state runner-up lost two integral parts of their team from last season: head coach Linda Lachey-Helms and 6-foot-5 North Carolina-commit Holly Carlton. Yet first-year head coach Nick…
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.
By Owen GotimerLoCoSports Editor-in-Chief [twitter-follow screen_name=’BigO_Gotimer’] Leesburg (September 7, 2016) – Sitting at my first high school field hockey game – the first varsity field hockey game in Loudoun’s history – I quickly realized I was outmatched. The sport was different and something I had only seen once before – at the collegiate level – so my understanding of the sport was limited. At halftime, the umpire approached my photographer and me to see how we were doing. I told him that we were getting by but that a field hockey reference guide would have really helped in our reporting and learning…
By Owen Gotimer LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief [twitter-follow screen_name=’BigO_Gotimer’] Leesburg (September 3, 2016) – When a team loses a fumble on their first play from scrimmage, they typically give up and crumble. But, on September 2 in Leesburg, the Heritage High School football team bounced back, forced a turnover on downs on Fauquier High School’s ensuing possession after the lost fumble then went on to mount a second half comeback to defeat the Falcons, 21-12. “Obviously, in the first half, we made too many mistakes. We knew they were going to be a tough opponent; they were much improved from last year,”…
By Owen Gotimer LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief [twitter-follow screen_name=’BigO_Gotimer’] Ashburn (September 1, 2016) – When the reigning VHSL 5A state championship team matches up with a team coached by one of the winningest coaches in Virginia State history, you know you are in for a night of excellent volleyball. On August 30, the Stone Bridge High School volleyball team – the 2015 state champions – and Woodgrove High School volleyball team – coached by legendary head coach Carmel Keilty – provided just that. While the Lady Bulldogs swept the match (25-21, 25-14, 28-26), the Lady Wolverines put up tremendous fight in both the…
By Owen Gotimer LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief [twitter-follow screen_name=’BigO_Gotimer’] Ashburn (August 27, 2016) – The Briar Woods High School football team looked to avenge a last-minute loss to Tuscarora High School last season, as two perennial football powerhouses met to start their seasons for the second straight year on August 26 in Ashburn. A trio of seniors made sure the Falcons’ offense crossed the goal line more times than the Huskies’. Receiver Ben Maffe scored twice and quarterbacks Skyler Springs and Jalen Thomas each scored once as Briar Woods upended Tuscarora, 21-0, to defend their home turf and get revenge. “It’s huge.…
By Owen Gotimer LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief [twitter-follow screen_name=’BigO_Gotimer’] Ashburn (August 23, 2016) — If playing in one of Loudoun County’s first varsity field hockey games was not historic enough, Freedom High School sophomore Natalie Shand figured out a way to top her night. In the Eagles’ 3-1 win over rival John Champe High School on August 22, Shand scored the first ever hat trick in LCPS field hockey history. “Scoring a hat trick is actually the best feeling in the world. I was really proud of myself,” Shand said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. I can’t do anything without…