Sterling, Va. — The pitcher stood on the mound, his white jersey smeared with dirt. He settled himself and then went into his windup. His right leg rose into the air and as it landed, his entire body twisted, his torso turned square to the plate. His left arm came forward in an easy and almost effortless delivery, hurling a five-ounce white sphere towards a hapless batter at a speed of 94 miles per hour. The batter flailed helplessly and missed the fastball, one of the many heaters Potomac Falls junior Nate Savino blew past the opposing batters in his…
Author: Varun Shankar
Varun Shankar
Varun is a senior at Dominion High School and the Academy of Science in Sterling. He’s also the editor-in-chief and founder of The Tea Shop, a multimedia site. He is the host of Down to the Wire and LoCoSports' Technical Fowl. In his free time, Varun enjoys watching D.C. sports teams consistently break his heart, except for the Capitals who are Stanley Cup Champions.
Read More
Purcellville, Va. — In part one of a two part podcast, Varun Shankar talks with Loudoun Valley High School All-American swimmer Sean Conway about his most recent victory (1:18), being the team captain (8:10), and setting records (9:15). LISTEN NOW [adrotate banner=”19″]
South Riding, Va. — The Freedom High School gym was nearly empty. The game had ended about half an hour ago, and the second after the final buzzer sounded, fans of both teams had left en masse. Now, there were few left, almost none in the stands, but the remaining were the most dedicated. You see, the only people left in that gym were those who were members of the VHSL Region 5C Champions: the Potomac Falls boys basketball team. Not just the players, but their parents, and of course, the renown coaching staff. It was an intimate ceremony. Everyone…
Sterling, Va. — At the risk of hyperbole, the biggest game of the Potomac District boys basketball season was played on February 13. All due respect to Briar Woods and Rock Ridge – both of whom played an exciting back and forth game filled with drama in the other semifinal – but the game between Potomac Falls and Freedom High Schools’ boys basketball teams was exquisite. The Panthers came in undefeated, looking to avenge a season last year in which they lost their coveted district championship to Freedom. They beat the Eagles two times during the 2018-2019 regular season – by 7…
Ashburn, Va. — Varun Shankar sits down with Tuscarora High School guard Isabellah Middleton about the upcoming district tournaments (0:53), life as a leader (6:54), how to beat the undefeated Freedom Eagles (15:33), and the marginalization of women’s sports (20:53). LISTEN NOW [adrotate banner=”19″]
Leesburg, Va. — Varun Shankar talks with Heritage football and basketball player Gio Seigler about his commitment to the University of Richmond (2:26), what it was like playing for an interim head coach (6:34), Loudoun County football (13:08), some pop culture (17:55) and much more. LISTEN NOW [adrotate banner=”19″]