Author: Dave Facinoli

Dave Facinoli grew up in Prince George’s County, Md. and attended Friendly High School. After attending Prince’s George Community College and James Madison University, where he covered sports on both college papers, he launched a local newspaper career that included roles as the sports editor of the Alexandria Gazette, the Arlington Sun Gazette and GazetteLeader, and other local papers.

Sports

O’Connell finishes second in conference softball tournament

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell's Ella Fletcher, left, plays first in the championship game (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

As anticipated, the championship game of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference girls softball tournament was a close contest.

Top seed St. Paul VI Catholic Panthers battled it out with second-seeded and four-time defending champion Bishop O’Connell Knights. During the regular season, the high-school rivals had split two low-scoring, one-run games, the first in extra innings.

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Sports

W-L boys soccer team keeps on pulling out victories as playoffs approach

By Dave Facinoli
Darragh Cahill (10) controls the ball for Washington-Liberty (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

With one exception through 13 regular-season high-school soccer matches this spring, the Washington-Liberty Generals have done whatever is necessary to finish on top.

The boys team has won in a variety of ways: twice in overtime, five times by one goal, a handful by three goals or more and six by shutout. As a result, the Generals own a 12-1 overall record with eight straight wins and stand atop the Liberty District standings with a 5-0 mark leading into their final regular season game Friday night.

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Sports

O’Connell track-and-field teams warm up for postseason at Draper Invitational

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell's Cameron Bowser, right, won the boy 400-meter race (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

A number of local high-school teams recently warmed up for postseason track-and-field competition by participating in regional events.

Among them were the Bishop O’Connell Knights boys and girls units. Each had strong performances at the 43rd annual multi-team Draper Invitational at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria on May 1-2.

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Sports

Yorktown boys lacrosse team rebounds from typical slow start

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Hudson Fang, back, plays tight defense against Oakton (photo by Dave Facinoli)

For five straight seasons, the regular season has unfolded the same way for the Yorktown Patriots boys lacrosse team.

Almost by design, the high-school squad has compiled a losing record in the early going as it plays through a difficult schedule, then rebounds nicely and starts consistently winning matches.

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Sports

Yorktown grad Tanner Wall signs contract with Las Vegas Raiders

By Dave Facinoli
Brigham Young University's Tanner Wall is now a member of the Las Vegas Raiders (courtesy of BYU football)

Tanner Wall once more is in an underdog situation, having to prove himself all over again — and that suits the 2018 Yorktown High School graduate just fine.

The Brigham Young University grad recently signed a priority free-agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. He will compete for duties as a defensive back (safety) and special-teams player.

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Sports

Five inducted into Arlington Sports Hall of Fame, including lacrosse player for first time

By Dave Facinoli
Tony Bentley, center, coaches the 2025-26 Wakefield boys basketball team (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The five Class of 2026 inductees into the Arlington Sports Hall of Fame include a lacrosse player/coach for the first time.

Brian Rosenberger, a standout player at two Arlington schools when he attended Bishop O’Connell High then Marymount University, will be the first representative of the sport enshrined. He will be joined by Robert Asher, Tony Bentley, Clayton Deskins and Marcus Ginyard.

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Sports

Wakefield softball team enjoying a strong 7-1 start to spring season

By Dave Facinoli
The Wakefield softball team celebrates a home win over Herndon (courtesy of Wakefield softball)

Just eight games into the regular season, the Wakefield Warriors girls softball team has already won as many games as it did during the entirety of last spring.

On track to surpass its 2025 win total in the Liberty District, as well, the high-school squad began this week with a 7-1 overall mark and stood 4-1 in the district. The team finished 7-8 overall a year ago.

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Sports

Local coach reaches 1000th Arlington youth soccer game after 25 years

By Dave Facinoli
John Mingus, far right, recently coached his 1,000th game in the Arlington Soccer Association (courtesy of Arlington Soccer)

When no one else stepped forward to fill the void, years ago John Mingus made a one-season commitment to coach his young daughter’s Arlington Soccer Association recreation girls team.

Now, 25 years later, Mingus, 59, is still coaching recreation soccer teams in the league.

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Sports

Arlington Little League marks 40 years at Opening Day celebration

By Dave Facinoli
The Nationals enter the Barcroft field greeted by two Washington Nationals' mascot presidents ( (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

With warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, the weather cooperated with ideal baseball conditions for Arlington Little League’s big anniversary event.

At the traditional Barcroft Park multi-field venue, the league held its opening-day ceremonies to mark its 40th anniversary the afternoon of Sunday, April 12.

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Sports

Numerous Arlington athletes earn all-state honors for winter season

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown shot putter Kayia Ovando was chosen all-state in girls track and field (courtesy of Yorktown track and field)

Numerous Arlington athletes were represented on public and private “all-state” high school teams for success in the winter season.

In basketball on the public-school level, there was one Arlington player each chosen for girls and boys Virginia High School League Class 6 all-state teams. That hasn’t happened frequently over the years.

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Sports

Yorktown girls soccer team leverages strong defense in 5-0 start to season

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Matilda Van Voorthuizen (6) tried to control the ball against Robinson (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

As has been the case for many years under head coach Hannah Davis, the Yorktown Patriots have started a girls soccer season strong.

Through five high-school contests this spring, the Patriots own a perfect 5-0 mark, including shutouts in their first three games. The latest victories were 2-1 over the host Robinson Rams on April 6, then 4-1 against the Chantilly Chargers the next night.

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Sports

One Arlington team moves up, another down for 2026 NVSL swim season

By Dave Facinoli
Donaldson Run swimmers warm up for a meet (courtesy of Donaldson Run pool)

Two of four Arlington teams competing in the Northern Virginia Swimming League will compete in new divisions this summer.

The biggest change involves the Donaldson Run Thunderbolts. After competing in the league’s highest Division 1 the past six years, the team drops to Division 3 for the upcoming summer campaign after finishing 0-5 in Division 1 last year.

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