Sports Journalism

Rockbridge Report Sports Edition

Two journalism classes—Sports Journalism and Editing for Print and Online Media—combined forces in Winter Term 2022 to produce a magazine, Rockbridge Report Sports Edition, which was published April 8, 2022.

Rockbridge Report Sports Edition

The Rockbridge Report Sports Edition was aired on Lexington Comcast Channel 18 on Feb. 18, 2022.

Rockbridge Report Sports Edition

The Rockbridge Report Sports Edition was aired on Lexington Comcast Channel 18 on Feb. 18, 2022.

Jake Stephens powers and towers over VMI’s offense

Virginia Military Institute men’s basketball Coach Dan Earl has given Jake Stephens the keys to his high-powered offense.

W&L senior Elle Boyd coaches high school swimmers into contenders

Boyd has been a swim coach since she was 15, when she started working as an assistant in a summer league in in Texas. As a sophomore at W&L, she answered an ad and got involved in coaching local kids.

W&L’s Sam Bass key to soccer team’s past, present and future

The midfielder was named first team all-ODAC and second team all-American for his play during a 13-0-2 season last fall.

VMI’s Scout Ripley driven by passions for lacrosse and military

The cadet says he never felt pressured to pursue a career in the armed forces. He says his family gave him the space to figure out that the military was as important to him as it was to his father and grandfather.

Guard Kate Groninger leads W&L women to top of conference

The team expects a battle in the ODAC tournament as it faces tough competition from Roanoke College, Randolph and Randolph-Macon in late February.

Senior Ryan Luth sets the rhythm for W&L wrestlers

The D-3 First Team All-American also makes music under the name thatkidRYN, which provides him with an outlet to be creative and express himself.

Rockbridge High coach follows in dad’s footsteps on basketball court

The last and only time a Rockbridge County High School girls’ basketball team had a winning record Bart Bellairs was the head coach. Now Andrew Bellairs is trying to pick up where his dad left off seven years ago.

W&L men’s basketball team grinds through tough season

Jack d’Entremont has stepped up to fill a void created by the loss to graduation last year of center Curtis Mitchell, who was a six-foot-eight force in the paint.

VMI’s Tyler Mousaw among nation’s best wrestlers in weight class

Coach James Gibson expects Mousaw to be one of the top seeds when the Southern Conference tournament gets underway March 5 in North Carolina.

W&L’s women LAX team on a mission to return to NCAA tournament

The women, who are ranked fifth among D-3 schools, face a tough start to their season, competing against top-ranked teams. They open the season tomorrow against Franklin and Marshall, a team that’s ranked seventh nationally.

W&L golfer Pierce Robinson treasures advice from legends

He relies on precision, not power, and his approach has paid off. Robinson is not only captain of the team, but he’s also ranked among the top 5 in the ODAC.

Rockbridge Report Sports Edition

The Rockbridge Report Sports Edition was aired on Lexington Comcast Channel 18 on Feb. 4, 2022.

Parry McCluer basketball phenom Spencer Hamilton heading for bigger stage

At six-foot-11, Spencer Hamilton is being courted by several colleges. Radford has extended an offer for him to play basketball there. Hamilton also has been in contact with scouts from the University of Virginia, George Washington and Wake Forest.

RCHS boys' basketball team in an up and down year

The team hasn't had much to celebrate this year. But the Wildcats and their coach hope they are building a solid foundation for the near future.

The VMI women's water polo team looks for strength in fewer numbers

The VMI women want to return to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship, where they made their first appearance in program history last season. This time, they want to win it all, even if they have nine fewer players than the teams they'll face.

W&L men's swim team relies on young talent

W&L guard Thomas Feigin lighting it up on the court

Life of a two-sport Division III athlete

There are 513 student-athletes at Washington and Lee. Jimmie Johnson is one of just 48 who play two sports at the Division III university. He says the small-school experience has enriched his relationships with other students and coaches.

Parry McCluer's girls basketball hungry for championships

Parry McCluer's girls varsity basketball team has achieved unprecedented success. Last year, the Lady Blues won their second consecutive state championship but they hope to three-peat.

Washington and Lee eSports Grows

Washington and Lee eSports, the official gaming organization of the university, started as just a few students gathered around a small table in the university’s common area. But now, 100 students are active competitors.

Washington and Lee women's basketball: more rookies than veterans

W&L Cross Country teams head for Nationals after 4th straight ODAC wins

Young coaching staff prepares for W&L Men's Basketball

The Washington and Lee University's Men's Basketball team is preparing for the 2018-19 season with coaches who have only one-year combined coaching experience with the squad.

RARO youth football finishes season strong despite declining numbers

Despite a drop in interest in youth football due to safety concerns, the Rockbridge Area Recreation Organization's youth football league capped off a successful season.

VMI basketball team hopes to rebound

Virginia Military Institute’s basketball team finished last year with a 9 – 21 record. Sophomore guard Bubba Parham was a bright spot as the Southern Conference Freshman Player of the Year. This season Parham and the Keydets have a simple goal: get better.

VMI Women’s Rifle rebuilds after graduating talent

The Virginia Military Institute’s women’s rifle team is made up of mostly freshmen who are also known as rats. Five of the team’s top shooters graduated last year, forcing the team to grow, improve and come together while adhering to VMI’s rules.

Three young linebackers strengthen Generals’ top ODAC defense

The Generals’ defense is first in the ODAC in fewest points allowed and total yards given up. The Washington and Lee men’s football team is five and one, thanks in part to that strong defense.

Reigning ODAC swim champions energetic for another promising season

After years of consistent wins, the Washington and Lee men and women's swim teams have kept up the pace. Each is ranked No. 1 in the ODAC conference. The women are ranked 14th nationally while the men are ranked 23rd.

Pickleball comes to Rockbridge County

The unique sport of pickleball has arrived in Rockbridge County. This racquet sport combines tennis and ping-pong and is fun for all ages.

Generals golfer Brian Peccie thriving after winning national championship

Brian Peccie, who won the NCAA Championship golf last year, began his 2018 season with a victory, followed by another Top 10 finish.

Washington and Lee football splits time between quarterbacks

Washington and Lee junior Drew Richardson and sophomore Trey Laughlin are sharing time at the quarterback position. Richardson is stronger and more powerful, but Laughlin is quicker.

Rockbridge County High School XC team has unique coaching staff

The Rockbridge County High School boys cross country team is coached by a woman, Julie Tisone. She wasn’t sure if she’d like coaching boys when she started three years ago, but the experience has been better than she imagined.

Rockbridge Wildcats looking for a run at the playoffs

The Rockbridge Wildcats faced a tough start to their football season but have turned it around could make a run at the playoffs. Captain Derek Carter credits Coach Mark Poston with their success.

Sophomore running back faces high expectations

Washington and Lee sophomore running back Josh Breece is in the spotlight after he broke the rushing record for yards, career yards per attempt and hundred-yard games in a season during his freshman year.

Brothers from Denmark play in last season together

Brothers Viktor and Oliver Dolberg, a senior and a junior respectively, are on the Washington and Lee University men’s soccer team.  They are also the captains.

Field hockey goalie enjoys record-setting career

Senior field hockey goalie Ariyel Yavalar started off the season against Denison by setting a school record for saves in a game. The team has had a tough start to the season with a 2-5 record against out-of-conference teams, but Yavalar says fans can expect more success during conference play.