Swimming consists of both a girls’ team, and the boys’ team. Last year, the teams swam a particularly great season; “We did very well last year,”» said girls’ coach Connie Banton, “and we hope to continue to do well this year.” The girls placed 13th out of 72 teams in the state last year. Currently, six former members of the girls’ swim team are competing at the college level.
As for the boys’ record last year, they sent two divers and individual swimmers, as well as all three of their relay teams to states.
The swimmers will hold their first meet on Dec. 1 against the Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA). FUMA is the home pool for both Fork Union and Fluvanna.
Boys’ basketball
The boys’ basketball team held quite the record last year, with an overall score of 24-4-0. The score easily pushed them toward the top of the school’s sports program. Led by long-time coach Munro Rateau, the team was one of the best in the division last year. This year, they hope to live up to their reputation, and for the past two weeks they have been practicing to do just that.
But there is one aspect of the game that will change this year; due to the graduation of YaYa Anderson, one of the team’s best players, the team is looking to rework their playing style. His departure created a gap in the team dynamic, but the players and the coaches fully intend to bridge that gap. The junior varsity and varsity boys officially begin the season by traveling to Spotsylvania on Nov. 27 at 6 p.m.
Girls’ basketball
The girls’ basketball team didn’t fare as well as the boys last year, but they finished their season with a respectable record of 9-13-0 under the coaching of Chad White. This year, they look to improve. The team is currently made up of twelve players: Ashleigh Harris, Kianna Childress, Kiersten Allen, Julianna Elliott, Kate Stutz, Morgan Symmers, Bri Harris, Adalia Patterson, Agerianna Scott, Kiana Jones, Sasha Morgan and Frannie Haskins.
The girls will host Spotsylvania at home at 6 p.m on Nov. 27.
Wrestling
The Fluco boys’ wrestling team appears to be making an explosive comeback this season after ending their first scrimmage against Spotsylvania on Nov. 15, having won 25 out of their 30 matches. The team is coming back from a slightly unlucky season last year where they lost about eight of their wrestlers due to injury. This year, they hope for a better season, starting with a match with Waynesboro on Dec. 1.
“We are definitely hoping for fewer injuries this year,” said Drew Walls, a long time member of the wrestling team. “Last year was crazy.”
The team certainly isn’t toning down their spirit, though, if their Nov. 15 match was anything to go by. “We destroyed the other team,” said returning wrestler Eric Wentz. “This season, all we’re looking to do is improve, improve, and improve.”
And just in case their first two comments weren’t enough emphasis, sophomore Donny Wilson, another returning wrestler, reinforced Wentz’s comment with his own; “The match, it went well; we destroyed.”
Indoor track
Like cross country, track and field is one of Fluvanna’s best performing sports. Maybe it’s because of the mascot, the Flying Fluco – also known as the giant, flying shoe – or maybe it’s just because the team is fast. Whatever their secret, they’re a team to fear.
Last year, the girls’ indoor track team won Districts; this year, they’re defending that title. Junior Hannah Meador and senior Chance Parmly are two of those champions; both are defending state titles in pole vaulting.
But teams have key players who particularly stand out. For the girls, this includes distance runner Nicki Douma and Maddy Kline, who sprints and jumps for the team. For the boys’ team, the following players expect to make a big mark: sprinter and jumper Jesse VanDyke, distance runner Chris Markham, and shot putter Nate Szarmach. Szarmach won districts last year, and is also a defending discus champion.
Both the boys’ and the girls’ indoor track teams have their first meet against Woodbury on Dec. 7.
