Falcons Nest - September 6th
Middle School Cross Country:
The Middle School Falcon runners hit the road Monday, participating in their first meet at Lee Christian. Fighting the elements and enduring through one of the most technical courses this year, the Falcons persevered through the hilly 3000m course. The route was mentally and physically challenging, but the Falcons exceeded expectations placing 2nd in both the Girls and Boys Divisions. The highlight of the meet was the phenomenal performance of Abigail Schupp who ran at a steady pace before making her move in the home stretch to finish 2nd at 12:26. For the Boys, Charlie Borland finished in a whopping 11:24 to finish 3rd followed by David Risseeuw at 7th with a time of 11:59. The grit and determination displayed by both the boys and girls clearly showed that the Falcons are a force to be reckoned with. Next week, the Falcons practice on Tuesday, September 3rd focusing on 40-minute slow strides before taking a three-day hiatus for class trips.
The Middle School Falcon runners hit the road Monday, participating in their first meet at Lee Christian. Fighting the elements and enduring through one of the most technical courses this year, the Falcons persevered through the hilly 3000m course. The route was mentally and physically challenging, but the Falcons exceeded expectations placing 2nd in both the Girls and Boys Divisions. The highlight of the meet was the phenomenal performance of Abigail Schupp who ran at a steady pace before making her move in the home stretch to finish 2nd at 12:26. For the Boys, Charlie Borland finished in a whopping 11:24 to finish 3rd followed by David Risseeuw at 7th with a time of 11:59. The grit and determination displayed by both the boys and girls clearly showed that the Falcons are a force to be reckoned with. Next week, the Falcons practice on Tuesday, September 3rd focusing on 40-minute slow strides before taking a three-day hiatus for class trips.
Varsity Cross Country:
The Varsity Cross Country team traveled to Lee Christian to compete against Chatham Thunder homeschool, Crossroads Christians, Lee Christian, and Thales Academy of Apex & Cary. After cheering for their fellow middle school team race, the O'Neal Cross Country team put on an impressive performance. Despite temperatures that felt unbearable, both the boys' and girls' teams raced their hearts out, overcoming a grueling course that included a challenging hill they had to conquer not once, but twice — a hill they described as "feeling like an 80-degree angle."
The Varsity Cross Country team traveled to Lee Christian to compete against Chatham Thunder homeschool, Crossroads Christians, Lee Christian, and Thales Academy of Apex & Cary. After cheering for their fellow middle school team race, the O'Neal Cross Country team put on an impressive performance. Despite temperatures that felt unbearable, both the boys' and girls' teams raced their hearts out, overcoming a grueling course that included a challenging hill they had to conquer not once, but twice — a hill they described as "feeling like an 80-degree angle."
Out of the 12 runners, 8 achieved their season-best times, a testament to their determination and resilience that despite such tough conditions they can still run faster than on a cool early morning. The team's spirits remained high throughout, proving that not even the hottest day or the steepest hill could stand in the way of their success. It was truly a great race day for the Falcons!
Varsity Girls Tennis
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Christian: Final 9-0, W
The Lady Falcons scored their 3rd shut-out win in a home match against Fayetteville Christian School on Tuesday, August 27th. Team captains Charli Bunder and Ava-Taylor Walker led the team to another 9-0 victory. Sydney Davis, Hannah Clair Nesbit, Natalia Henderson, and Vivienne Rhue also contributed singles wins. Harper Kate Harless and Valentina Roberts scored a doubles win. Elizabeth Cordero and Izzy Grotzke secured shut-out wins in exhibition singles matches. The Lady Falcons fought through intense heat and worked tirelessly to secure another victory.
The Lady Falcons scored their 3rd shut-out win in a home match against Fayetteville Christian School on Tuesday, August 27th. Team captains Charli Bunder and Ava-Taylor Walker led the team to another 9-0 victory. Sydney Davis, Hannah Clair Nesbit, Natalia Henderson, and Vivienne Rhue also contributed singles wins. Harper Kate Harless and Valentina Roberts scored a doubles win. Elizabeth Cordero and Izzy Grotzke secured shut-out wins in exhibition singles matches. The Lady Falcons fought through intense heat and worked tirelessly to secure another victory.
The Falcons will take a break for the Labor Day weekend and O’Neal School Class trips and then be ready to hit the road to compete in their next Sandhills Athletic Conference match against Village Christian Academy. The team has continued to show great depth in the lineup and the players will continue to work hard on the court to secure their spots in future matches.
Middle School Boys Soccer:
O’Neal vs Northwood Temple Final 4-0, W
O’Neal vs Northwood Temple Final 4-0, W
The Falcons defeated Northwood Temple, 4-0, to notch their first win of the season. It was truly a team effort as every Falcon played meaningful minutes and the boys worked hard to consistently pressure Northwood Temple’s back line. The Falcons displayed superior speed and passing, moving the ball quickly to generate through balls that led to break-aways. The Falcon defense was also stingy, limiting the time the ball spent on our half of the field. It was a great league win and one that O’Neal will look to build on as the season progresses.
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Christian: Final 0-3, L
O’Neal faced a strong Fayetteville Christian team. With 10 8th graders, Fayetteville Christian played a physical game from the start, quickly putting the Falcons on their back foot. O’Neal fought hard and withstood heavy pressure in the first half, keeping the game scoreless until the final minute of the first half. In the second half, O’Neal took a few more chances, and because of this, they were able to create multiple shooting opportunities. They never found the back of the net however, and by pushing more players forward, Fayetteville Christian was able to capitalize, scoring two more times to put the game out of reach. As demonstrated earlier in the season, the boys never stopped competing, and their ability to push through adversity was admirable. O’Neal is now 1-2 on the season, with an away game against Fayetteville Academy coming up before class trips.
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Christian: Final 0-3, L
O’Neal faced a strong Fayetteville Christian team. With 10 8th graders, Fayetteville Christian played a physical game from the start, quickly putting the Falcons on their back foot. O’Neal fought hard and withstood heavy pressure in the first half, keeping the game scoreless until the final minute of the first half. In the second half, O’Neal took a few more chances, and because of this, they were able to create multiple shooting opportunities. They never found the back of the net however, and by pushing more players forward, Fayetteville Christian was able to capitalize, scoring two more times to put the game out of reach. As demonstrated earlier in the season, the boys never stopped competing, and their ability to push through adversity was admirable. O’Neal is now 1-2 on the season, with an away game against Fayetteville Academy coming up before class trips.
O’Neal vs Fayetteville Academy: Final 1-5, L
O’Neal played a tough Fayetteville Academy team, falling 5-1 to the Eagles. Fayetteville Academy had an abundance of speed and created multiple breakaways early in the game. A couple of strong defensive plays and some tough saves were not enough to keep them off the scoreboard, and O’Neal found themselves in a 3-0 hole midway through the first half. From that point forward the Falcons adjusted and were able to do a good job containing the Eagles’ potent attack. Near the end of the half, they were able to claw one goal back after stealing the ball outside of Fayetteville’s box and getting a perfectly placed shot just out of the goalie’s reach. Although O’Neal was able to create more dangerous chances in the second half, they were unable to get any closer on the scoreboard. The boys maintained high pressure and energy throughout the match and should be proud of their poise in the face of adversity.
Varsity Boys Soccer:
The O'Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team showcased a mix of resilience and strength in their last two games, facing both triumph and tragedy on the field.
O’Neal vs Northwood Temple: Final 4-1, W
The first match was an away game against Northwood Temple, where the Falcons delivered an impressive performance right from kickoff. The team controlled the action, demonstrating skillful passing, strong teamwork, and relentless pressure on both ends of the field. The game concluded with a commanding 4-1 victory for the Falcons. Travis Doody led the charge with two goals, while Andrew Miller and Christian Baker each added one to the scoreboard. The defensive line, led by Max Pashley, Gavin Rabon, Alex Gold, and Matt Davis, put up a formidable barrier, limiting Northwood Temple's opportunities and maintaining control throughout the match.
O’Neal vs Fayetteville: Final 1-8, L
However, just days later, the Falcons faced a different challenge, both emotionally and physically, in their home game against Fayetteville Christian. It was a solemn day for the team as they honored the memory of Louis Klingebiel, a former player who had recently passed away. A tribute before the game celebrated Louis’s impact on the team and the community, but the weight of his passing hung heavily over the boys. Understandably, their hearts weren’t fully in the game.
The O'Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team showcased a mix of resilience and strength in their last two games, facing both triumph and tragedy on the field.
O’Neal vs Northwood Temple: Final 4-1, W
The first match was an away game against Northwood Temple, where the Falcons delivered an impressive performance right from kickoff. The team controlled the action, demonstrating skillful passing, strong teamwork, and relentless pressure on both ends of the field. The game concluded with a commanding 4-1 victory for the Falcons. Travis Doody led the charge with two goals, while Andrew Miller and Christian Baker each added one to the scoreboard. The defensive line, led by Max Pashley, Gavin Rabon, Alex Gold, and Matt Davis, put up a formidable barrier, limiting Northwood Temple's opportunities and maintaining control throughout the match.
O’Neal vs Fayetteville: Final 1-8, L
However, just days later, the Falcons faced a different challenge, both emotionally and physically, in their home game against Fayetteville Christian. It was a solemn day for the team as they honored the memory of Louis Klingebiel, a former player who had recently passed away. A tribute before the game celebrated Louis’s impact on the team and the community, but the weight of his passing hung heavily over the boys. Understandably, their hearts weren’t fully in the game.
Fayetteville Christian, a strong opponent, seized the moment and came out firing on all cylinders. By halftime, the score was 5-0. The Falcons showed some resilience in the second half, with Andrew Miller scoring a consolation goal. However, Fayetteville Christian proved too strong, adding three more goals to their tally and securing an 8-1 win. Despite the loss, the Falcons displayed commendable spirit in the face of a tough week.
Looking ahead, the Falcons will aim to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their next match. They will face Berean Baptist Academy away on September 9th at 5:00 pm. With renewed determination, the team will be looking to put their best foot forward and bounce back from this challenging period.
Middle School Volleyball:
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Match |
Northwood Temple | 27-25 | 25-17 | W | |
Fayetteville Christian | 25-20 | 13-25 | 12-15 | L |
Fayetteville Academy | 25-13 | 25-8 | W |
The Middle School Volleyball team faced a tough challenge against the Northwood Temple Eagles, battling hard in the first set before making a strong comeback to secure the second set. The team then continued their competitive streak against Fayetteville Christian, claiming victory in the first set with remarkable saves and precise serves. Despite their efforts, they fell short in the second and third sets. However, the Falcons displayed unwavering determination and strong team support throughout the match.
The team added another win to their record this week over Fayetteville Academy. The entire team showcased exceptional skill, particularly in their serving game. Claire Caviness stood out with an impressive run, delivering seven consecutive serves to clinch the second set and secure the match. The Falcons are on fire, and their teamwork is paying off as they look forward to taking some time off for Class Trips.
Varsity Volleyball:
Opponent | Set 1 | Set 2 | Set 3 | Set 4 | Set 5 | Match |
Northwood Temple | 23-25 | 16-25 | 11-25 | L | ||
Fayetteville Christian | 12-25 | 25-19 | 25-19 | 19-25 | 10-15 | L |
Carolina Friends | 25-5 | 25-14 | 25-18 | W | ||
Trinity Christian | 25-12 | 25-15 | 25-13 | W |
The O'Neal Varsity Volleyball team faced a tough loss in their recent match, falling in three sets to Northwood Temple. Despite starting strong, the team struggled with small mistakes that accumulated over time, ultimately creating a gap too large to overcome. However, the team is determined to use this experience as a learning opportunity, recognizing that winning games requires the effort and coordination of the entire team, not just individual performances. Moving forward, the team is committed to working together and improving as a cohesive unit.
The Falcons next experienced a hard-fought battle against Fayetteville Christian, ultimately falling in five sets. After a slow start in the first set, the team rallied to win the second and third sets, showing resilience and determination. However, they fell just short in the final two sets, narrowly missing the victory. Despite a challenging start to the season, the team remains optimistic and plans to use this experience to identify areas for improvement. By focusing on refining their skills now, they aim to be better prepared for future rematches against their opponents.
For their final game before the Labor Day weekend, the Falcons snapped a three-game losing streak with an impressive win against Carolina Friends, claiming victory in three sets. The match showcased the depth of the team, as every player was able to see court time, contributing to the overall success. Strong communication on the court was crucial, especially with different players rotating in, allowing the team to maintain cohesion and focus throughout the match. This victory not only boosts team morale but also highlights the importance of teamwork and communication moving forward.
After the long weekend the team efficiently handled their match against Trinity Christian, securing a straight-sets victory. Although the competition wasn't particularly tough, the ladies stayed focused, executing their game plan with precision to get in and out swiftly. Their strong teamwork and positive energy were evident as they cheered each other on, particularly during impressive serving runs. The win highlights the team's ability to maintain their focus and deliver results, even in less challenging situations.
Photos by Wendy Hodges
Photos by Wendy Hodges
Falcon Athletics Next Week:
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
MON | 9/9/2024 | Berean Baptist* | BSOC | AWAY | 5:00 PM |
MON | 9/9/2024 | Berean Baptist Academy | MSBSOC | AWAY | 3:30 PM |
MON | 9/9/2024 | Berean Baptist Academy | MSVB | AWAY | 3:30 PM |
MON | 9/9/2024 | Berean Baptist* | VB | AWAY | 4:45PM |
TUE | 9/10/2024 | Cape Fear River Trail (Hosts NTA) | XC | AWAY | 2:45 Girls 3:30 Boys |
TUE | 9/10/2024 | Cape Fear River Trail (Hosts NTA) | MSXC | AWAY | 2:00pm |
WED | 9/11/2024 | Village Christian* | BSOC | AWAY | 6:00 PM |
WED | 9/11/2024 | Village Christian* | GTN | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
WED | 9/11/2024 | Village Christian Academy | MSBSOC | AWAY | 4:30 AM |
WED | 9/11/2024 | Village Christian Academy | MSVB | AWAY | 3:30PM |
WED | 9/11/2024 | Village Christian* | VB | AWAY | 5:00PM |
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