High school notes

Titans win first against Rapids

James River's field hockey team shares the top spot in the Dominion District.

Usually, the Rapids are alone, but Cosby upended James River 2-1 at James River last Wednesday. Cosby, in its fourth year, was 0-7-1 against the Rapids. The tie with Cosby was James River's only blemish in district play in the past four seasons.

The Titans are coached by Rachel Mead, who built a Central Region title-winning program at James River before becoming the school's activities director and handing the Rapids' reins to Slade Gormus in 2000. Gormus directed the Rapids to the state Group AAA title in 2002, the only Central Region team to win the state championship.

Mead stepped down as AD and moved to Cosby to coach field hockey and girls basketball when the school opened in 2006. The Titans' basketball team won the Central Region title last year and is the favorite to repeat. The field hockey program appears to be taking off as well.

The Titans are 8-1 in the district and 11-1 overall. They lost to James River 3-2 Sept. 17.

"For several of my girls it was larger than life," Mead said of the victory. "I have girls who have been with me since they were freshmen and are now seniors, so to finally beat one of the best teams in the region that we have lost to over and over was extremely rewarding to them."

Wildcats, Eagles meet

The girls volleyball match for first place in the Colonial District takes place tomorrow night at Deep Run. The Wildcats, ranked No. 2 in the RVC Central Region Top 10, plays host to third-ranked Mills Godwin. The winner will be in position to earn an automatic berth in the region tournament.

Deep Run still has to play No. 5 Hermitage in a district match. Mills Godwin defeated the Panthers earlier this month.

The competition is stiff locally, but Central Region teams have had little success against opponents from across the state. Douglas Freeman and Deep Run (twice) won state championships from 2005-2007, but all seven of Deep Run's losses this year have come to state tournament-worthy teams.

Mills Godwin has lost four games. Two were to Northwest Region powers Forest Park and Osbourn Park last weekend. The other two were to James River in five games (15-13 in the fifth) and another Dominion team, Cosby (No. 6 in the current poll), in four in the Volleyball Showcase.

Springers' Wall

This year's Highland Springs High Athletic Wall of Fame ceremony will be held Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Wyndham Hotel on South Laburnum Avenue. For tickets ($20), contact Springers' Activities Director Rudy Ward at 737-5761. The deadline for ticket sales is Oct. 19.

The golf tournament that accompanies the induction is Oct. 21 at 8 a.m. at The Brookwoods Golf Course. Entry deadline is tomorrow. Contact Ward to enter.

Nine new members will be honored. They are: Bobby Johnson (Class of 1981), a wrestler and football player who was the commencement speaker; Russell Beggs (1939), an athlete, patron and founding father of football at Highland Springs; Dwayne Shultz (1971), a football and baseball player who was on the 1970 state title-winning baseball team; Johnny Binns (1971), a baseball standout and member of the 1970 title winners; Joe Harden (1957), who played football and wrestled; Wendell Morris (1979), who excelled as a running back; Nick Pavarti (1966), who starred in the long and triple jumps and as a sprinter; Kitty Buckner (1965), a cheerleader and patron; and Hugh Wilkerson Jr. (1977), the Springers' big man on the basketball court for three years.

Two-day celebration

Atlee boys cross country team members Dan and Joe Purvis are lacrosse players who are using running to stay in shape for their preferred sport. Both are juniors.

Neither is among the Raiders' top runners, but they have a claim to fame.

They are identical twins with different birthdays. Joe is the oldest, born Aug. 16, 1993. Dan arrived on Aug. 17.

Short takes

• St. Catherine's field hockey standout Sydney Schreiner, a senior midfielder, has been named to the Futures Elite Program by USA Field Hockey. Her selection puts her in the top three percent of hockey players in the nation. Schreiner has committed to play collegiately at Davidson. Teammate Chaney Manganello, a defender who can score, has committed to William and Mary.

The Royal Classic Golf Tournament will be held Oct. 31 at Jordan Point Country Club in Hopewell. Four-person teams will play a captain's choice format. The shotgun start is at 8:30 a.m. The cost is $75. There will be putting and free throw shooting contests. Proceeds benefit the Prince George High girls basketball team. For information or to enter, contact coach Billy Gray at 355-4024 or AD Bill Russell at 733-2720. - Arthur Utley