Falcons Nest - March 1
The O’Neal Lady Falcons are forcing their way into the School’s display cases by securing NCISAA State Championship victories in golf, swimming, and basketball so far this year.
The varsity girls golf team secured their third consecutive state championship, showcasing their continued dominance on the greens. Led by dedicated coaches and talented players, the Lady Falcons have solidified their reputation as golfing powerhouses. “This was a team effort," said Coach John Casson. “The results speak for themselves. What you don’t see is the hard work these girls put into their preparation on a weekly basis. It’s not always easy and yet with strong senior leadership and committed individuals it is no accident we enjoyed such success.”
Kicking off this season's victories, the varsity girls swim team celebrated their second consecutive state championship on February 12 at the finals held at the Greensboro Aquatics Center. These Lady Falcons demonstrated exceptional skill and fortitude in the pool by defeating 30 other NCISAA schools. The Lady Falcons entered the meet ranked second in the state. After a come-from-behind relay victory, Coach Jen Schmitz said, "It was amazing to see the girls show such grit and determination in that relay! I really don't know why I am always so surprised because that attitude is embedded into the culture of the program." Their back-to-back victories underscore their commitment to excellence and teamwork.
Adding to the winter season triumph, the varsity girls basketball team made history by clinching their first-ever state championship in the school's history. Their effort propelled them to a remarkable record of 30 victories and a single loss (to Elizabeth Seton, 4th ranked team in Maryland). Girls Basketball Coach Donna Taylor said the team's success stemmed from their determination to ... "trust the process, stay together, learn from mistakes and make each other better."
"We couldn't be prouder of the incredible achievements of our athletes this year," said Athletic Director James Franklin. "Winning state championships in girls’ golf, girls’ swimming, and girls’ basketball is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches. However, is always about more than just winning games at O’Neal; it's about empowering and developing confident, capable young women who are poised for success in the world beyond sports. These championships represent the culmination of their commitment to excellence, and we are honored to support them in their journey towards greatness."
The Falcons look forward to finishing the year strong. With varsity Boys Golf, Boys Tennis, Girls Soccer, Baseball, and Track and Field all expecting to have competitive seasons. The middle school baseball team, middle school golf, and girls soccer teams will also be strong this spring and we are excited to see how they fare. Competition for golf and baseball started this week and we will report our progress in our Falcons Nest starting next week.
Events Next Week 3/4 - 3/8
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
THU | 3/7/2024 | Navy vs. White Intersquad Match | MS Golf | HOME | 3:30 PM |
FRI | 3/8/2024 | North State HS Boys | BGOLF | AWAY | 2:00 PM |
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