By Duncan Nixon
Correspondent
It was mostly an up year for sports in Fluvanna County in 2023. The year started with the Fluvanna County High School boys and girls basketball teams turning in excellent performances. The boys team finished the regular season with a 16-6 record which put them into the post-season play-offs. The team, coached by Heath Bralley, was led by a trio of senior guards. Bobby Gardner, Lance Bruce and Tyler Coleman all could shoot, and they were fast and quick. The girls team also made the post-season and they too were led by seniors – Alana Carter-Johnson, Aniah Webb, Abby Seal and Tatyanna Turner -who were all important contributors to the team’s success.
The Fluco wrestling team had a strong year, led by junior Sam Stoltz who competed at 170 pounds. In one meet, they edged Charlotteville and destroyed Monticello High. The indoor track and field team also turned in some strong performances for Coach Melanie Kennedy. In swim and dive, Alexandra Fuller was a standout performer.
In the spring season, the Fluco baseball team, which has a strong history, continued in its winning ways under Coach Joel Gray. Several years ago, before COVID hit, the team won the state title in its school size category. This year the team went to the post-season again, but fell in the 3C final. Two very strong pitchers for the Flucos were J. J. Glasscock and Joe Garcia. Glasscock was first team All-Region, as was third baseman Cam Via. In track and field, runners Sophie Farley and Ryder Petrylak were outstanding in the 1600 meter (the metric mile.) Isaac Lewis was an outstanding all-around performer. In lacrosse the Flucos boys, and girls’ squads both showed improvement. In soccer, neither the boys nor the girls had particularly strong years. The same was true in softball.
In the fall season, the football team bounced back from an 0-10 season, to finish with a 5-5 record. Coach Mitchell Pace was disappointed that his team just missed out on post-season play, but it is clear that Fluco football is back. In volleyball, Coach Christi Harlow-Garrett continued to field a highly competitive squad. The Fluco volleyballers always seem to have good skill players and powerful kill shot specialists. In cross-country, the Flucos had some standout runners. Ruby Frazier, Ana Amato and Sophie Farley all ran well as did Ryder Petrylak for the boys.
In golf, the major activities on the Lake Monticello golf course came early in the year. The Peggy Kirk Bell tournament for outstanding high school female golfers from the mid-Atlantic region returned to Fluvanna. On March 18 and 19 some young players displayed amazing skills playing cold and windy conditions. Masie Rassmussen of Chesapeake won this year with rounds of 73 and 72. In May, the Lake Monticello course hosts the Faulconer Invitational every year. This two-day men’s tournament brings in top amateurs from all around Central Virginia. This year’s winner in the open division of the tournament was 20-year-old Garret Manley whose home course is in Lynchburg. He shot 74 and 73. The biggest event for local golfers is the Member-Guest tournament held in June. This year the winning team in the unique end of tournament shoot-out was member Paul Seehaver and guest Dan Beckhard. The senior men’s Gray Foxes and the woman’s’ 9- and 18-hole groups competed all season long, as usual.
Finally, last, but certainly not least, The University of Virginia rowing team returned to Lake Monticello for the only varsity college sports event to be held in the county, as they hosted top rowing teams in its annual home regatta.
