Robertson breezes from sport to sport

Thomas Dale senior Julie Robertson is the two-time Central District player of the year. Hold onto your hat. If you feel a draft near Thomas Dale High School, maybe it's because Julie Robertson just whooshed past.

Wind gusts in Chester were brisk this fall, as the Knights' whirlwind in a maroon-and-gray skirt finalized a lengthy field hockey celebration.

"Julie is relentless," Dale coach Beth Jaeckle said.

Robertson's tireless work from center midfield helped the Knights to a third straight Central Region title and a 60-5 three-year record.

Scoring 12 goals, assisting 20 others and always spurring her teammates to new heights, Robertson was named the Central District player of the year a second time.

"Julie can be a little bully the way she gets on her teammates," Jaeckle said. "But they know it makes them better."

Endless season: Robertson is just warming up. She also runs indoor and outdoor track (800 and 1,600 meters) and is an all-district stopper for the Knights' three-time defending soccer squad in the spring.

One occasion last spring, she ran in a track meet and played soccer the same afternoon.

"Julie never stops running," Jaeckle said.

The 5-2 dynamo takes it all in stride.

"They're all tied together," she said of her triumvirate of sports. "All the running in hockey gets me ready for track, and track gets me in shape for soccer."

Fast company: Robertson's brother, Scott, helped Dale win consecutive Group AAA soccer titles. He now is a starting defenseman at Navy.

Oldest brother Brian, 23, was the district soccer player of the year his senior season for Dale.

Robertson took up field hockey in eighth grade on the Knights' JV team. It helped that one of her best friends was Carrie Jaeckle, Beth's younger sister.

"Julie's been my gift to coaching," Beth Jaeckle said.

Next up: Robertson has applied to Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison and William and Mary with intentions of continuing field hockey at least on the club level.

As for Dale, she'll be sorely missed, but at least the dust will have a chance to settle.