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:
- Fork Union Expands Athletic Offerings with Addition of Postgraduate Lacrosse Program
- FUMA Athletics Recap
- Feature Stories: Golf, Tennis, Track & Field & Prep Lacrosse
- Up Next in FUMA Athletics
- Four Blue Devils Earn All-Central Virginia Wrestling Honors
- Lance Gowans Signs with Mary Baldwin University
- Have You Joined the Athletic Director's Club?
Fork Union Expands Athletic Offerings with Addition of Postgraduate Lacrosse Program
FORK UNION, VA -- Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA), a leading college preparatory boarding school with an outstanding history in athletics, announced today that it is broadening its athletic offerings with the introduction of a postgraduate lacrosse program. Set to field its first team in the 2024-2025 school year, this exciting addition reflects the Academy's ongoing commitment to the development of outstanding student-athletes across a broad spectrum of athletic programs. The Academy is launching a national search for a head lacrosse coach, seeking a dynamic leader who will instill the values of excellence and sportsmanship for which the Academy is known.
"Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation and we believe this expansion will open new avenues for our students to excel both athletically and academically," said Col. David L. Coggins, USMC (Ret.), the President of Fork Union Military Academy. "Our mission has always been to educate, develop, and inspire well-rounded young men who are prepared for college and ready to lead in their chosen fields. The introduction of a postgraduate lacrosse program perfectly aligns with this goal."
Countless Fork Union Military Academy graduates have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, and more than 125 graduates have achieved professional athletic careers. The Academy is confident that the addition of PG Lacrosse will provide another pathway for student-athletes to succeed.
"We are beyond excited to start PG Lacrosse," said John Blake, FUMA's Director of Athletics. "This is an opportunity to expand our athletic footprint and build a program that matches the longstanding excellence of our PG Football and PG Basketball programs."
Fork Union Military Academy invites its community to support and participate in the growth of this new program. More details regarding the PG Lacrosse program and the search for a head coach can be found at https://www.forkunion.com/pg-lacrosse.
Scores from the past two weeks:
Monday, May 1
- Junior Prep Baseball vs. St. Christopher's School • L, 0-14
Tuesday, May 2
- Golf vs. Randolph-Macon Academy • W, 213-231
- Track & Field at Woodberry Forest School • No Team Score
- Prep Baseball at St. Christopher's School • L, 0-3
Wednesday, May 3
- Golf at Blue Ridge School • L, 197-174
- Golf vs Fredericksburg Christian School • L, 197-181
- Prep Lacrosse at Collegiate School • L, 1-17
Friday, May 5
- Tennis vs. Carmel School • W, 9-0
- Prep Lacrosse vs. Wakefield School • L, 8-9
- Prep Baseball vs. St. Christopher's School • L, 5-9
Saturday, May 6
- Track & Field at Dogwood Classic • No Team Score
Monday, May 8
- Prep Baseball at Collegiate School • L, 5-12
Tuesday, May 9
- Prep Baseball at Trinity Episcopal School • L, 1-2
- Prep Lacrosse at New Covenant School • L, 7-17
Wednesday, May 10
- Prep Lacrosse at Virginia Academy • W, 19-9
Thursday, May 11
- Prep Baseball vs. Trinity Episcopal School • L, 1-13
Fork Union Completes Sweep Over Randolph-Macon Academy
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
PALMYRA, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy golf program defeated Randolph-Macon Academy, 213-231, Tuesday afternoon at the Lake Monticello Golf Course.
The victory completes the sweep over Randolph-Macon Academy allowing the Blue Devils to finish 2-6 overall.
"Yes, our boys did it again," said head coach Joseph Kenny. "They should be proud. Though the afternoon challenged them with chilly weather and the brutal front nine at Lake Monticello, they pulled through."
Trent Willis led the way with an impressive score of 42, the lowest of the day between the two teams. Levi Wikoff and Copeland Spearman followed with scores of 57 and 58, respectively. Rounding out the top four was Jake Nichols with a score of 60.
Randolph-Macon's top scorer shot a 53.
Tennis Defeats Carmel School in Season Finale
Friday, May 5, 2023
FORK UNION, VA -- The Fork Union Military Academy Tennis team defeated Carmel School, 9-0, Friday afternoon on Senior Day.
The win completed the sweep over Carmel School, giving the Blue Devils a 2-4 record on the season.
This is the first 9-0 blanking Fork Union has recorded since last year on May 2, 2022.
"I was proud that the cadets finished the season with a win," said head coach Alex Grant. "Every senior on the team had at least one win for the season. The cadets worked hard on improving their abilities over the season and that showed in the last match."
At the No. 1 spot, sophomore Simon Price recorded an 8-5 win, giving him his first win of the season at the top spot.
Senior George Boitano ended his tennis career with a 8-0 victory on court two.
Junior Clayton Rosen recorded an 8-3 win at the No. 3 spot, while freshman Godwin Vander-Weide took the 8-4 win at the No. 4 spot.
Senior Minh Dao ended his tennis career with an 8-1 win on court five, along with senior Dominic Lancey's 8-2 win on court six.
In doubles, Price and Rosen recorded an 8-6 win on court one, Boitano and Jose Romero took an 8-3 win on court two and Vander-Weide and Lancey took the 8-1 win on court three.
Fork Union Shines at Two High Profile Track Classics
Saturday, April 29 & May 6, 2023
FORK UNION, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy outdoor track and field program shined at two high profile track classics the past two weeks.
The Blue Devils competed at the Volunteer Track Classic (Knoxville) on April 29 weekend and the Dogwood Track Classic (Charlottesville) on May 6.
At the Volunteer Track Classic, the Blue Devils placed eighth overall out of 43 schools. Fork Union recorded nine top-10 performances, including one bronze medal.
"It was our first trip back to Knoxville since 2012 and our team was glad to be back," said head coach Winston Brown. "I thought we competed really well on both days with multiple scoring efforts. I thought Harry Momolu in the 300 hurdles and Daveon Rosado in the triple jump were pretty outstanding as was the effort in the 3200 by Robert Callahan, 28 second personal best and a state qualifying performance. Our 4x200 was seven seconds faster than this past winter. Overall, it was a great weekend."
Junior Harry Momolu led the way with a third-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.13. He placed fifth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 41.87.
Junior Ayden Bland recorded impressive performances in the field, placing fourth in the long jump (20-9.75) and 10th in the triple jump (40-0.75).
Senior Charles Campbell placed fifth in the 400-meter with a time of 51.11, while senior Jackson Edwards placed ninth in the 800-meter with a time of 2:00.21.
At the Dogwood Track Classic, the Blue Devils recorded three top-10 performances in a very tough field of competition.
The Dogwood Track Classic is now the premier meet in the east. Our sprint medley placing 5th was huge. We also had a great day in the personal best department with Jackson Edwards and Harry Momolu leading the way. Great effort by freshman Nicholas Coleman, 30 second pr and a state qualifier.
"The Dogwood Track Classic is now the premier meet in the east," added Brown. "Our sprint medley placing 5th was huge. We also had a great day in the personal best department with Jackson Edwards and Harry Momolu leading the way. Great effort by freshman Nicholas Coleman, 30 second pr and a state qualifier."
Momolu placed 10th overall in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.20 and 21st in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 41.48.
The 1600-meter sprint medley placed fifth overall with a time of 3:36.27, thanks to Campbell, Edwards, Emerson Smith and Momolu.
Sophomore Dreylan Creasy tied for third in the high jump, clearing six feet.
The squad returns to action Saturday, May 13 when the Blue Devils travel to Norfolk Academy for the 2023 Prep League Championships at 10 a.m.
Fork Union Defeats Virginia Academy in Season Finale
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
ASHBURN, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy Prep lacrosse team defeated Virginia Academy, 19-9, Wednesday on Virginia Academy's campus for its season finale.
The win lifted the Blue Devils to a 4-7 season record.
"It's always great to end the season with a win, especially for our seniors," said head coach Chip Chace. "The guys played a great game all around and I was very impressed with our ability to maintain control of the ball. We will certainly miss the leadership of our seniors next year, but we have a lot of young players that I think will be able to step up and continue to build the program in the right direction."
Seniors Lucas Yates and Austin Lender led the offense with five goals each. Senior Michael Marandure followed with four goals and senior Justin Fraser added three goals. Jip Clarke and Luc Havens also found the back of the net.
Havens was between the pipes for Fork Union, picking up four saves on the day.
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:
Saturday, May 13
- Track & Field at Prep League Championships • 10:00 AM
Sunday, May 14
- Swimming at Williamsburg Aquatic Club May Splash (USA Swimming) • 1:30 PM
Saturday, May 20
- Track & Field at VISAA State Championships • 10:00 AM
Lance Gowans Signs with Mary Baldwin University
FORK UNION, VA – Senior Lance Gowans of the Fork Union Military Academy Prep baseball program signed with Mary Baldwin University Tuesday afternoon at the Estes Athletic Center.
"I can't express how proud I am of Lance and his decision to go to Mary Baldwin," said head coach Jacob Grabeel. "He will excel at the college level with how much effort he already puts into his craft and the compassion he has for the game and his teammates. It has been an honor coaching him, and I hope for nothing but good things for his bright future!"
Gowans is the son of Paul Gowans and Erica Brown of Palmyra, Virginia and has been enrolled at the Academy for two years. Gowans, a team captain, has played in all 10 games this season, recording nine hits with five singles, two doubles and one homerun, nine RBI and four runs scored for a .273 average at the plate. On the mound, the lefty has appeared in eight games, striking out 24 in 19.1 innings with four starts for an ERA of 1.810.
Congratulations, Lance!
Four Blue Devils Earn All-Central Virginia Wrestling Honors
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Four Blue Devils of the Fork Union Military Academy wrestling program earned All-Central Virginia honors, the Daily Progress announced this week.
Seniors Tommy Manganiello and Lucas Yates earned first team honors, while senior Ethan Stroh and eighth-grader Ronan Montes received second team honors.
“Tommy and Lucas along with seniors Jack McCall and Ethan Stroh were counted on to lead this program back after a two-year hiatus and they exceeded all expectations,” said head coach Alton Terry. “They led the team to a 16-5 record and finished within the top 10 in the state. They have a true compassion and love for the sport. Their mat awareness and grit are amazing and exceptional. It's been an honor to coach them. Ethan Stroh was another senior who worked hard every day to perfect his craft. His dedication to his team and to this sport was unmatched. I am so proud of all the seniors for the hard work they put in and how they persevered even in our tough moments. All of them will be missed and again it's been an honor to be their coach. Ronan Montez made noise not only around the Prep League, but also in the VISAA as an eighth grader. He is another blue-collar kid who works to be the best in everything he does. I am excited to see how he continues to make an impact in the future.”
Manganiello posted a 30-5 record and finished second in the Virginia Prep League and in the State in the 150-pound weight class to be a national qualifier. He is the son of Laurie and Joseph Manganiello of Northford, Connecticut.
Yates posted a 27-5 record in the 157-pound weight class and placed second in the Virginia Prep League. He also placed third at the VISAA State Championships to be a national qualifier. Yates is the son of Heidi and Joseph Yates of Goochland, Virginia.
Stroh posted a 26-8 record in the 138-pound weight class and placed second in the Virginia Prep League and fourth at VISAAs to qualify for Nationals. Stroh is the son of Beverly and Brad Walker of Sparks Glencoe, Maryland.
Montes posted a 19-14 record in the 132-pound weight class. He placed second in the Virginia Prep League and fifth in the State to qualify as an alternate at Prep Nationals. Montes is the son of Melissa and James Montes of San Antonio, Texas.
The wrestling program completed its first season since 2019-2020, posting a 16-5 record, placing fourth in the Virginia Prep League and ninth in the VISAA.
Congratulations, gentlemen!
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Credits:
Kelly Barnette & Kristin Firewicz.