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.
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Contents:
- Fork Union Military Academy Welcomes Home Two Alumni to Head Coaching Positions
- FUMA Athletics Recap
- Feature Stories: PG Basketball, Swimming & Diving, Wrestling, Track & Field
- Up Next in FUMA Athletics
- Samson Miller Named VISAA Diving Coach of the Year
- Carmelo Pacheco Earns All-EPL Honors
- Have You Joined the Athletic Director's Club?
Fork Union Military Academy Welcomes Home Two Alumni to Head Coaching Positions
The Academy Hires Eddie Handsome and Promotes Jacob Grabeel.
Fork Union Military Academy is pleased to announce two new additions to its head coaching ranks and to wish a hearty "welcome home" to these new coaches, as both are alumni of the Academy who are returning to give back to today's cadets some of the lessons they learned during their own time here as members of the Corps of Cadets.
Taking the reins of the prep football program will be Edward L. Handsome, a member of the PG Class of 1994. Handsome was a standout defensive back at Henrico High School prior to joining Fork Union's football team as a postgraduate. He continued his playing days at the college level, ultimately earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University where his playing honors included being a three-year letter winner, three-year team captain, an All-CIAA team selection, and Most Valuable Player of both the Labor Day Classic and the all-star East Coast Bowl Game. He played at the professional level with the Richmond Speed of the Arena Football League.
Following his playing days, Coach Eddie Handsome has become a familiar face along the sidelines of football programs in Virginia for many years as a longtime teacher and football coach with the Henrico County School District, having also served stints as an assistant coach with Atlee, Highland Springs, Varina, and as head coach of the Norview High School program in Norfolk. Coach Handsome's teams have earned regional and conference championships, and his Henrico team was the runner up in the state championship game in 1997-1998. Coach Handsome was also tapped to serve as Defensive Coordinator at the professional level with the Richmond Bandits of the American Indoor Football Association, helping lead that team to their conference championship in the 2006-2007 season.
"I remember those guys working hard, those guys beside me," Coach Handsome reflects. "You know, we talk about Vinny Testaverde, you talk about Eddie George, Tom Haskins played here, you talk about Dexter Coakley, I played with Al Clark, Latrell Scott, those guys…the brotherhood, the bond."
"Those spirits are here," he continues, with passion in his voice. "Those dreams. Those guys left dreams that you can talk about. Those guys left things that you can only do here. We knew our pedigree. We knew what we did here. We knew the work we put in. Fork Union has that, we built that, we embody that. I know that's why I belong here. I know that's why I came home…to help put some of that right back where it belongs, because it was given to me. It's time to give that back."
Jacob Grabeel, a Class of 2017 graduate of Fork Union Military Academy, returned to campus this fall as a math instructor after earning his bachelor's degree from Bridgewater College. Grabeel knows the baseball diamond at Fork Union Military Academy very well, having been a three-year captain of the baseball team during his time as a cadet. He has now been selected to be the head coach of the baseball team. Coach Roger Bowles, one of Grabeel's coaches when he was a cadet, will remain to support him as an assistant coach.
A native of Gordonsville, Virginia, while a cadet at Fork Union Grabeel earned two-time All-State, two-time All-Prep, and All-Central Virginia team honors. He was a two-time winner of the Jackie Jensen Award, the 2016 best pitcher award, and the 2017 best hitter award. In addition, he earned Dean's List honors for his academic achievements as well as the Officers Reserve Award and a Leadership Award for his service as a cadet officer. He continued on from Fork Union to play baseball at the college level with Bridgewater College where he played for five seasons as a pitcher, catcher, and outfielder.
"I want to make a difference and impact like other people have here on this campus that I've cared a lot about," Grabeel explains, "and they're the reason why I've come back. The big names like Fender and all those guys that came before me, I want to live up to those standards here, and that's something that I feel is very important to me."
Welcome home, Coach Handsome and Coach Grabeel!
Scores from the past two weeks:
Friday, February 10
- Junior Prep Basketball vs. Saint Anne's Belfield • L, 17-75
- Prep Basketball vs. Saint Anne's Belfield • L, 38-89
Saturday, February 11
- Track & Field at Virginia Prep League Championships • 6th
- PG Basketball vs. Mount Zion • W, 79-77
Sunday, February 12
- PG Basketball vs. Believe Prep Academy • W, 91-87
Tuesday, February 14
- Junior Prep Basketball at St. Christopher's School • L, 43-74
- Prep Basketball at St. Christopher's School • L, 36-67
Thursday, February 16
- PG Basketball at Massanutten Military Academy • L, 81-110
Friday, February 17
- Swimming & Diving at VISAA State Championships • 17th
- Wrestling at VISAA State Championships • 9th
- Junior Prep Basketball vs. Woodberry Forest School • L, 35-68
- Prep Basketball vs. Woodberry Forest School • L, 49-60
Saturday, February 18
- Track & Field at VISAA State Championships • 10th
Monday, February 20
- PG Basketball vs. First Love (EPL Tournament) • L, 76-96
Tuesday, February 21
- Prep Basketball at Trinity Episcopal School (VPL Tournament) • L, 54-86
PG Basketball Sweeps at Massanutten Military Circuit
Sunday, February 12, 2023
WOODSTOCK, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy PG basketball program picked up two quality wins at the Massanutten Military Circuit this past weekend. The Blue Devils defeated conference opponent Mount Zion, 79-77, and Believe Prep, 91-87.
“It was a good weekend for a FUMA team that has faced a lot of adversity this season,” said head coach Bob Williams. “I’m happy to see our team improve late in the season. The defensive intensity, teamwork and toughness were great to see. I’m proud of our team and glad to see them have some success due to their hard work.”
Against Mount Zion, Fork Union recorded four Blue Devils in double figures, including James Morrow and Carmelo Pacheco who both scored 14 points. Morrow also led the team with 10 rebounds and three steals. Larry Bulluck added 12 points and Rece D’Alessandro added 11 points in the win.
Against Believe Prep, Pacheco impressively tallied a team-high 24 points to lead three Blue Devils in double figures. Bullock added 14 points and Russell Branch tallied 13 points in the win.
Since the Massanutten Military Circuit, the Blue Devils competed at the Elite Prep League Tournament, falling to First Love in the opening round.
The Blue Devils sit 15-13 overall and 2-7 in the Elite Prep League.
Fork Union will host two remaining games for the 2022-2023 season with Experience Prep on Wednesday, March 1 at 6 PM and TPLS on Monday, March 6 at 6 PM.
Momolu & Edwards Lead Track & Field in the Postseason
Saturday, February 18, 2023
RICHMOND, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy indoor track and field program competed at the Virginia Prep League and VISAA State Championships the past two weekends. Junior Harry Momolu and senior Jackson Edwards highlighted the two meets for the Blue Devils.
At the Prep League Championship, Momolu recorded a time of 8.05 in the 55-meter hurdles to be named Champion. Edwards crossed the finish line at the 1:08.89 mark in the 500-meter dash to also be named the Champion.
The two were also on the 4x400 relay along with Jacob Seymore and Charles Campbell who collectively recorded a time of 3:41.74 to place second overall.
At the VISAA State Championship, Edwards shaved close to a second off his 500-meter dash time to place second overall with a time of 1:07.98. Momolu placed third with a 55-meter dash time of 8.04. Campbell took fifth in the 300-meter dash with a time of 37.00.
“Two near misses for our team at VISAAs but great efforts all the same,” said head coach Winston Brown. “What a tremendous year for Jackson Edwards. Harry Momolu was great all year particularly when considering this was his first year in indoor track.”
The Blue Devils will now focus on the outdoor season with the first meet scheduled for Saturday, March 25 at Fluvanna County.
Diving Leads Fork Union at VISAAs
Saturday, February 18, 2023
LYNCHBURG, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy diving program led the Blue Devils at the 2023 VISAA Swimming & Diving State Championships this past weekend on the campus of Liberty University.
The diving program scored 45 total points, helping the Blue Devils place 17th out of 53 total schools. Eighth-grader Kellen Colevas led the way with a bronze medal on the 1-meter board. Prep League Champion Everett Mitchell followed with a fourth-place finish and Grant Demorro took sixth place. George Gurney rounded out the scoring for the divers with a 16th place.
Senior Jaxon Brooks-Powell was the top swimmer for Fork Union, placing 16th in the 500 freestyle with a lifetime best of 5:12.64.
At the end of the meet, diving coach Samson Miller was named VISAA Diving Coach of the Year.
Wrestling Places 9th at VISAAs, Sending Four to Nationals
Saturday, February 18, 2023
RICHMOND, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy wrestling program recorded a four top-five finishes to place ninth overall at the 2023 VISAA State Championship this past weekend at Benedictine College Prep.
The Blue Devils recorded a second-place finish, a third-place finish, a fourth-place finish and a fifth-place finish which will send four to Prep Nationals.
Senior Tommy Manganiello placed second in the 150 weight class, senior Lucas Yates placed third in the 157 weight class, and senior Ethan Stroh took fourth in the 138 weight class to all qualify for Prep Nationals. Eighth-grader Ronan Montez placed fifth in the 132 weight class to qualify as an alternate at Prep Nationals.
“I am so proud of our performance at states,” said head coach Alton Terry. “The guys went and competed the entire time. We placed four on the podium with three National Prep qualifiers. I owe it all to our seniors Tommy Manganiello, Lucas Yates, Jack McCall, and Ethan Stroh who carried the team the entire season. These guys were the nucleus of the team and held everything together even in hard times. Ronan Montez is a great kid on and off the mat. He works hard every day and it showed at states. To place top 5 in the state as an eighth grader is an amazing accomplishment and I'm so excited to see how he does in the future years to come. I'm very excited to see how we perform against some of the nations' best at Prep Nationals.”
The squad will return to the mat at Prep Nationals on Thursday, February 23 at the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro, Md.
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, February 24
- Wrestling at Prep Nationals (Upper Marlboro, Md.) • All Day
Wednesday, March 1
- PG Basketball vs. Experience Prep Academy • 6:00 PM
Monday, March 6
- PG Basketball vs. TPLS Christian Academy • 6:00 PM
Tuesday, March 7
- Prep Baseball vs. Buckingham County • 4:00 PM
Thursday, March 9
- Prep Baseball at Smith Mountain Lake Christian Academy • 4:00 PM
Friday, March 10 - Sunday March 12
- PG Basketball at Phenom Hoops PG Nationals • TBA
Samson Miller Named VISAA Diving Coach of the Year
LYNCHBURG, VA – Fork Union Military Academy's head diving coach Samson Miller has been named VISAA Diving Coach of the Year, the association announced Saturday at the 2023 VISAA Swimming & Diving State Championships.
Miller led a team of divers who scored 45 total points for the Academy's swimming and diving program, who placed 17th out of 53 total schools. Eighth-grader Kellen Colevas led the Blue Devils with a bronze medal on the 1-meter board. Prep League Champion Everett Mitchell followed with a fourth-place finish and Grant Demorro took sixth place. George Gurney rounded out the scoring for the Blue Devils, placing 16th.
"I'm shocked and definitely wasn't expecting to win this award," said Miller. "This is the first time I've received an award for coaching and I'm grateful to be recognized amongst such accomplished coaches and programs. When I first came to FUMA in 2020, I quickly noticed how dominate the Richmond diving teams were in VISAA. I made it my goal to put FUMA's name on the map and our divers have far exceeded my expectations. We've had such a successful season and none of it would be possible without coach Jon Larson, the FUMA Athletic Department and Col. Coggins. I'm blessed to have FUMA's endless support, and I look forward to the continued growth of our dive team."
Miller is in his third season with the Blue Devils. The Fairfax, Va., native came to the Academy after coaching diving at Greenbriar Pool Club in Fairfax from 2011-2020, spending five seasons as head diving coach. He graduated from the University of Virginia in December of 2020. Miller dove for the Cavaliers during the 2016-2017 season. He graduated from Virginia with a B.A. in Music.
Prior to his time at Virginia, Miller was a member of the Greenbriar and Dominion Dive Club from 2009 to 2016, competing at the USA Diving Junior National Championships on a yearly basis. Miller is a four-time NISCA All-American High School diver and attended Fairfax High School where he holds both the 6-dive and 11-dive school records. He placed third in this Virginia 6A State High School Diving Competition every year between 2013-2015. He achieved his ultimate diving goal in 2016 when he accepted a scholarship to the University of Virginia.
Congratulations, Coach Miller!
Pacheco Named to the All-Elite Prep League First Team
Fork Union Military Academy's Carmelo Pacheco of the PG basketball team has been named to the All-Elite Prep League First Team, the League announced this week.
The guard played in all six conference games, averaging 19.8 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game and a 52.4 field goal percentage.
“Carmelo Pacheco is highly deserving of this award, said head coach Bob Williams. "He has had a great season at Fork Union. Melo is an outstanding cadet and has been a very good leader on our team. He does everything right on the floor. He has a high basketball IQ and is fundamentally sound. He is probably the best shooter in the state of Virginia! Whoever signs him to a college scholarship, will be a very happy coach.”
Congratulations, Melo!
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Credits:
Kelly Barnette and Tara Harkins