Riverbend High School: Winter Sports Recap

As winter sports wrap up, it is clear that the successes achieved during the fall season have overflown on into the winter. From the wins on the basketball court, to the accomplishments on the wrestling mat, to the records set on the track and in the pool, this season surely was one to remember. 

Girls Basketball

The girls basketball team had an outstanding season despite having many of their key players struck by injury. They finished the season with a 16-7 overall record, placing second in their conference. They won their regional game to make it into the regional bracket. Through a hard fight, they lost a close game during the first round of regionals, 60-55, ending their season. Despite falling short of a state-bid, Coach Thomas Via was still proud: “I am very proud of our girls and the way they came to every game ready to play. It is an honor and privilege to be the Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Riverbend!”

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball team worked hard this season, making significant strides as a team. Coach Nathaniel Jackson said, “As we gained more experience we ended up winning 6 district games. We may not have won a lot of games overall but we competed and improved as the season progressed.” The boys finished the season with a 6-14 record. Jackson commented on the adversity that the team faced with numerous injuries, but despite this, the team showed up to work their hardest each day and formed bonds that, as junior, and three-year varsity player, Jordyn Thomas described, were that of “family”.

Wrestling

The wrestling team stepped up this year, participating in many large tournaments throughout Virginia Beach and North Carolina. Head coach Nicholas Dolan said, “The greatest part of being a wrestling coach is developing young leaders. It is a great sport that teaches so much for life– humility, adversity, perseverance.” Overall, the team finished in 4th place in the 5A class, with multiple athletes ranking top 5 individually. Senior Jacob Mccollam was the district, regional, and state champion. 

“My favorite part of the season was when I won states because it is an accomplishment that only a finite amount of people accomplish,” the heavyweight champ said. “It was also special because my family and all of my teammates were there to congratulate me and celebrate with me.”

The girls team also made huge progress this season with a few ladies reaching the state podium: Hailey Turner (114) finished 2nd in her class while Caitlin Rankin (120) and Samantha Wojowejkoski (107) nabbed 4th and 5th place, respectively.

Indoor Track

The track team had high standards to achieve, with the boys entering the season as defending state champions and the girls objectively improving each meet. The boys team had a truly remarkable season, placing 2nd in the district, 2nd in the region, and 3rd in the state, as well as setting a new school record for the boys 4x800. Head Coach, Anedra Logan, explained that the team had a motto for the season of, “all or nothing,” and that they worked each day to fulfill that motto. Logan said, “Our athletes are focused, work together, and genuinely care about each other!” On the girls side, they saw enormous successes that have been a long time coming. They finished 2nd in the district, 1st in the region, and 8th in the state. 

“I would have to say the girls winning the 5D Regional Title was the most impressive moment this year,” Logan said. “This was such a proud moment for us as they had been in the shadows of the boys’ success for years. They showed up and competed to clinch the title!” Junior Olivia Morra, who was a fundamental part of the girls team, had a truly phenomenal season as she became the region 5D champion for the two mile, as well as being one of the four legs of this season’s girls 4x800 team, who set a new school record. Morra said, “I feel really happy that we hold the 4x800 record now, since we worked so hard at practice and made it so far to states, and we definitely deserved it.” 

Swim

This swim season, all 45 athletes who participated in pre-season and tryouts made the team, because, as Coach Rachael Adriani said, “they put the hard work in early.” 

“This season was definitely one for the memory book in so many ways,” said Adriani. “For the first time in many years of coaching these kids were truly connecting to one another and bonding.” The swim team came out strong as a team at both districts and regionals, and had the opportunity to take a handful of athletes to states. RHS sophomore and state swimmer Noah Buttram placed 18th at the class 5 state meet in both of his events: 100 back and 500 free. When asked about the team’s successes, he said, “Our team has posted many great times and personal bests throughout the season… The road has been pretty bumpy… but in the end we preserved and ended with a fantastic season!”

The successes achieved by the Bears this winter season not only showcased their talent, but also put on display their immense amount of dedication and grit, as each athlete fought their hardest to become the best version of themselves whether on the court, mat, track, or in the pool.