(November 10, 2015) – In an effort to better recognize student-athletes in Loudoun County who exemplify the values classmates, coaches, spectators, officials, families and friends look for in teammates, the LoCoSports team has selected its October 2015 Teammates of the Month for cross country, football, golf and volleyball.
The selections were made from nominations based on the following criteria: selflessness, hustle, work ethic, attitude, team-first mentality, spirit and heart.
If you wish to nominate a student-athlete for athlete or teammate of the month, please reach out through our contact form or email us at locosportsnews@gmail.com.
By Owen Gotimer
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Nominated by Abby Wright
One of the most talented student-athletes to ever step foot on a court or field in Loudoun County, Loudoun County High School senior Taylor Borup did not disappoint during her senior season with the Lady Raiders volleyball program.
At 19-2, Loudoun County swept the Conference 21B tournament championship against Dominion High School and will host a VHSL 4A West region quarterfinal on November 10 in hopes of once again winning the region and advancing to the state tournament – which Borup and the Lady Raider senior class has already done three times in their three previous attempts.
“Taylor has had a very successful high school volleyball career. As her senior year winds down, she is accomplishing some remarkable things,” Loudoun County head coach Sherrilyn Hanna said. “She minimizes all of these accomplishments, though, and puts the success of the team ahead of her own. Taylor is genuinely happy when her teammates succeed and no one celebrates more than Taylor when one of her teammates makes a great play.”
A nationally-ranked recruit, Borup — who was just named the Conference 21B Player of the Year — committed to Division I North Carolina at just 14-years-old and had the opportunity to celebrate the commitments of her fellow senior teammates Rachel Voketaitis to Mary Washington and Abby Wright to Nyack this fall.
“Taylor has good rapport with all of her teammates regardless of whether they are freshmen or fellow seniors, starters or not. She warms up with a sophomore and brings up the end of the line on game days even though seniors traditionally lead the team into the gym,” Hanna said. “Taylor understands that team chemistry is vital to team success, and she works very hard as the leader of our team to make sure there a good team dynamic.”
By Joe Skinner
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Nominated by Brandon Bye
During the 2014 Woodgrove High School golf season, then-junior Jack Klimek was assigned the always difficult task of being a leader. Over the past two years, however, Klimek has taken the role and run with it, as the Wolverine golfers wrapped up the 2015 season with top five finishes at the Curly Licklider Memorial and the Bryan Gunter Memorial tournaments and second place finishes at the LCPS Championship, Conference 21A championship and VHSL 4A West region championship.
“In golf, it is hard to work with a big group of people especially when a player needs individual attention,” Woodgrove head coach Jason Lutman said. “When I put Jack with a group it is like having an extra coach.”
Klimek exemplifies the ultimate team-player and selfless attitude by always asking about his teammates’ rounds before talking about himself. Lutman added that Klimek was very valuable not only as a player but also as a mentor and role model for the younger players.
“Woodgrove golf is going to miss him and his leadership next year,” Lutman said.
By Owen Gotimer
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A humble, quiet runner, Stone Bridge High School senior Joe Valle offers a different leadership prospective to his Bulldogs team than the typical, Hollywood sports captain. But Stone Bridge head coach Matt Henry noted his teammates have taken to Valle’s strong work ethic and team-first mentality.
“He is a rather quiet guy, but leads through his determination and effort in workouts and races,” Henry said. “He exemplifies a great running attitude. He supports the team by giving an all-out performance every time he races and knows the team success is based on how well he runs from week to week.”
In a constant battle for the Bulldogs top spot with senior teammates Andrew Matson and Jackson Morton, Valle was the third fastest Stone Bridge boy at the Albemarle Invitational on October 10 in Earlysville (16:30), the third fastest Stone Bridge boy at the Third Battle Invitational on October 17 in Winchester (15:55) and the second fastest Stone Bridge boy at the Conference 14 Championship on October 27 in Leesburg (16:08) always trailing Matson, Morton or the two.
But on November 5, Valle’s hard work and determination paid off as he turned in the fastest Bulldog finish at the VHSL 5A North region meet in Earlysville (16:20) leading Stone Bridge to the region crown.
“I can’t think of another runner more deserving. Joe is a four-year senior who has worked tirelessly to be the best for his team,” Henry said. “Each week he works in workouts and has been pressing himself to be one of the top guys on the team. To put in in prospective he ran just over 17 minutes last year as a junior and currently has a PR of 15:55.”
By Spencer DuPuis
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Rock Ridge High School junior Eric Vivian helped the Phoenix to a 2-8 record in the school’s first season with a varsity football team and helped Rock Ridge to the first win in school history against Riverside High School on August 28.
“He’s the first person to go to a lineman [or]a receiver and thank them for great blocks that help [him]spring a big run,” Rock Ridge head coach Tony Tallent said. “He knows without their efforts he can’t make things happen downfield.”
Vivian always puts 100-percent into everything he does and gets his teammates focused on the next play.
“Eric plays every play like it’s the last one,” Tallent said. “He knows the most important play of the game is the one that’s just about to happen.”
