The Blue Devil Report from Fork Union Military Academy's Athletic Department is your source for weekly updates on the Fork Union Blue Devils. Here's the latest from @FUMAathletics.
Want to view past issues of the Blue Devil Report? Find them all on our website.
Contents:
- Meet Head Swimming Coach Jon Larson
- FUMA Athletics Recap
- Feature Stories: Diving, Prep Basketball, Swimming, PG Basketball
- Up Next in FUMA Athletics
- Have You Joined the Athletic Director's Club?
Meet Head Swimming Coach Jon Larson
Jon Larson
With over 30 years of coaching experience, Jon Larson arrived at Fork Union in 2017 as the Director of Aquatics after spending four years at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa.
While leading the Freedom High School swimming program to several PIAA State Championships, Larson was also the CEO and head coach of the Emmaus Aquatic Club in Emmaus, Pa., since April of 2009. Larson was inducted in the Freedom High School Athletics Hall of Fame on January 13, 2017.
Prior to arriving in Bethlehem, Pa., Larson has worked with swimmers from elementary school age up through collegiate swimmers from the Pennsylvania area with the Big Cat Aquatics Club, a USA Swimming club team that serves youth within a 50-mile radius of the Penn State campus.
Prior to taking an assistant position at Penn State in 2006, a position he held for two years, Larson served as the McCoy Natatorium Pool Coordinator for 10 years in addition to his role as the head coach of Big Cat Aquatics. Among his duties were supervising the staff at McCoy, assisting in the scheduling of all events at the Natatorium, supervising all aquatic programs being held at McCoy, acting as the facility host for major competitions held at McCoy, and instructing exercise sport science classes along with at Penn State sports camps.
Prior to coming to the State College area, Larson served as head coach and program director of the Coronado Navy Swim Association in Coronado, Calif., from 1989-96. In this role, he was responsible for supervising a staff, various administrative duties, coordinating all training sessions for swimmers of all ability levels, and coordinating pool usage.
Larson was the Middle Atlantic Swimming Coach of the Year in 2005 and the head coach of the Middle Atlantic All-Star team from 1999-2000. He was also named Coach of the Year by the San Diego Swimming Coaches Association in 1992 and served as president of the San Diego Swimming Coaches' Association from 1992-93 while in Coronado.
Before heading to California, Larson was a student assistant coach at the University of Alabama after completing his eligibility there. He earned his undergraduate degree in Sports and Fitness Management in 1989 from Alabama.
He was a member of the swim team at Alabama for two years and swam at Arizona State for two years prior to that.
Get to know Coach Larson:
College Attended & Degree: Arizona State & University of Alabama (Sports/Fitness Management)
Years of Coaching Experience: 35
Did you play a sport in college, if so what sport? Swam for ASU and Alabama
Describe your current role at the Academy: Aquatic Director/ Head Swimming Coach/Resource Instructor.
What positions have you held throughout your time here? Aquatic Director, Swim Coach, Resource Instructor.
What brought you to Fork Union Military Academy? A former swimmer from my team at Penn State came to FUMA and when talking to him it intrigued me and years later, I saw the position was open.
What made you want to become a coach? My Alabama coach (Don Gambril) was a 5-time US Olympic Coach and had a reputation for mentoring assistants that wanted to become, and became, head coaches.
What is your favorite topic/drill to teach your athletes during practice? Properly planning a race strategy, especially for mid distance and distance events.
Do you have a coaching mentor? 3 former coaches: Bill Ruth, Mark Shubert and Don Gambril.
What makes Fork Union special to you? Although challenges are many, the rewards are very substantial.
What other responsibilities do you have at FUMA besides your current role? Coordinate cadet swims, run lifeguarding courses, assist in cadet transportation, assist with Admission Fairs.
What is one thing the cadets would be surprised to learn about you? As a part-time chauffer in San Diego, I had quite a few celebrities as passengers.
Scores from the past two weeks:
Saturday, November 12
- PG Basketball vs. Shooting 4 Greatness • W, 98-74
Monday, November 14
- PG Basketball vs. Blue Ridge School • W, 97-84
Tuesday, November 15
- Prep Basketball vs. Church Hill Academy • W, 63-58
Thursday, November 17
- Swimming at Hargrave Military Academy • W, 74-73
- Swimming vs. North Cross School • W, 92-35
- Swimming vs. Covenant School • L, 61-90
Friday, November 18
- PG Basketball vs. Putnam Science Academy (National Prep Showcase) • L, 63-76
Saturday, November 19
- PG Basketball vs. Brewster Academy (National Prep Showcase) • L, 44-86
Thursday, December 1
- Prep Basketball at Church Hill Academy • W, 61-54
- PG Basketball vs. Experience Prep Academy • W, 92-51
Swimming Opens Season at Hargrave Invitational
Thursday, November 17, 2022
CHATHAM, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy swimming team went 2-1 at the Hargrave Military Academy Invitational in their season opener prior to Thanksgiving.
The Blue Devils defeated North Cross School, 95-35, and Hargrave Military, 74-73, while falling to Covenant School, 61-90.
"The Hargrave Invitational that also included North Cross and Covenant was a perfect way to start the season," said head coach Jon Larson. "With over half our swimmers being in their first competition ever, the goal was to experience how a swim meet is run and avoid any simple mistakes. We came away with Jaxon Brooks-Powell qualifying for States in both his individual events and a relay team within one second of qualifying, as well. In the end, we came out with two wins (against Hargrave and North Cross) and one loss to Covenant. The one point margin over Hargrave was a bonus."
Fork Union returns to action Friday, December 2 when they travel to Trinity Episcopal Kick Off at RVA Swim at 6 p.m.
Prep Basketball Sweeps Church Hill Academy to Open Season
Thursday, December 1, 2022
RICHMOND, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy Prep basketball team defeated Church Hill Academy, 61-54, Thursday night at the Trinity Family Life Center.
The win lifted the Blue Devils to 2-0 overall.
"I could not have asked for a better team win for a squad that did not have an extensive preseason," said head coach Reggie Barnette. "I have been very proud of how our team chemistry has developed in such a short amount of time. Our hats are off to a very well-coached Church Hill Academy team, who went toe to toe with us for all 32 minutes. This was a game that I am sure both coaching staffs will agree made both our teams better, win or loss. We face a tough slate next week with North Cross and St. John Paul the Great., but this game has prepared us to face adversity and respond to it."
Jordan Anderson led the squad with 19 points, followed by Ashton King's 17. Tyler Manglicmot added 10 points, while Isaac Rivera trailed with 9 points.
The Blue Devils return to action Tuesday, December 6 when they host North Cross School at 6 p.m.
Diving Opens Season at St. Catherine's School Wednesday
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
RICHMOND, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy diving team opened the season at St. Catherine's School Wednesday evening.
"This past Wednesday the FUMA diving team competed in their first meet of the season at St. Catherines School," said head coach Samson Miller. "The boys gave an outstanding performance with Everett Mitchell placing 3rd, Grant DeMorro placing 5th, Kellen Colevas placing 6th, and George Gurney coming in 8th. Mitchell earned a personal best score of 170.65."
The Blue Devils will return to action Friday, Dec. 2 when they travel to the Trinity Episcopal Kick-Off at Benedictine College Prep. Competition starts at 6 p.m.
PG Basketball Shoots Lights Out in Second Half to Defeat Experience
Thursday, December 1, 2022
FORK UNION, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy postgraduate basketball team defeated Experience Prep Academy, 92-51, Thursday night at the Thomas Gymnasium.
The win lifted the Blue Devils to 7-3 overall.
"I was pleased how we bounced back against Experience after a tough showing in Connecticut two weeks ago," said head coach Bob Williams. "It's always nice to play in Thomas Gym. We shot the ball well and played pretty hard defensively. Anytime we can get five players in double figure scoring, it makes for a balanced offense."
The squad was led by Chris Cochran with 17 points, including three triples, while Carmelo Pacheco and Rece D'Alessandro added 14 points apiece. Larry Bulluck recorded 12 points and Russell Branch added 11 points for the Blue Devils.
The squad returns to action Wednesday, December 7 when they host Bull City Prep at 6 p.m.
Please make sure you continue to check the athletic website on a weekly basis, for all game updates.
If you haven't already, please download the Fork Union Athletics Mobile App for all game day information right at your fingertips!
Up Next in FUMA Athletics:
Friday, December 2
- Swimming at Trinity Episcopal Kick-Off • 6:00 PM
Saturday, December 3
- Wrestling at Cody Day Dual Tournament (at Hargrave) • 9:00 AM
- Track & Field at Liberty Opener • 9:30 AM
Monday, December 5
- Middle School Basketball at Richmond Christian School • 5:30 PM
Tuesday, December 6
- Junior Prep Basketball vs. North Cross School • 4:30 PM
- Wrestling at Collegiate Quad Meet • 5:00 PM
- Prep Basketball vs. North Cross School • 6:00 PM
Wednesday, December 7
- Track & Field vs. FUMA Mini • 4:00 PM
- PG Basketball vs. Bull City Prep • 6:00 PM
Thursday, December 8
- PG Football vs. Team Federation Game • 11:00 AM
- Junior Prep Basketball vs. John Paul the Great Catholic High School • 4:30 PM
- Middle School Basketball at Saint Anne's Belfield • 5:15 PM
- Prep Basketball vs. John Paul the Great High School • 6:00 PM
Friday, December 9
- Track & Field at Woodberry Forest Tri-Meet • 4:00 PM
- Swimming vs. December Invitational • 4:00 PM
- PG Basketball vs. Shooting 4 Greatness (Fork Union Christmas Tournament) • 7:00 PM
Being a member of the Athletic Directors Club helps the department with buying new equipment and uniforms, post-game meals, partial scholarships and much more!
