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 girls, boys place third in state Catholic track-and-field meet

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell top runner Cam Bowser (courtesy of the Bowser family)

Dual third-place team finishes were highlighted by a number of winning relays and individuals for the Bishop O’Connell Knights at the Virginia State Catholic School track-and-field high-school championship meets.

“The teams each scored more than 100 points and it was an exciting day for O’Connell,” Knights’ coach Jim Connor told ARLnow.

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Sports

Wakefield, Yorktown varsity eights win state crew championships

By Dave Facinoli
The Wakefield girls varsity eight champs (courtesy of Wakefield crew boosters)

Arlington’s long and proud history in high-school crew was embellished at this spring’s second weekend of the state-champion regatta.

That’s when two varsity eight girls and boys shells from Arlington schools finished first in the premier races at the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association competition on the Occoquan Reservoir.

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Sports

Marymount enjoys its best season ever in women’s college lacrosse

By Dave Facinoli
Marymount celebrates its championship (courtesy of Marymount athletics)

The winningest season in program history included multiple first-time achievements for the Marymount University Saints women’s lacrosse team.

The Division III squad’s overall record of 17-3 was its best (most wins and fewest losses in a season). Being the top seed in a conference tournament also was a first, as well as winning the title. The Saints’ 12-game winning streak was their longest ever, and Marymount scored its most goals in a season.

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Sports

Memories await pitcher when she joins George Mason softball team

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell pitcher Bri Lencz (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Bri Lencz created many positive memories on the George Mason University women’s softball field during four years of high school. And now, the Bishop O’Connell senior will become a member of that college team next year.

Lencz made the commitment several months ago to play Division I college softball for George Mason.

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Sports

Yorktown extends winning streak against Arlington baseball rival

By Dave Facinoli
Owen Woodward bats for Yorktown (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The Yorktown Patriots’ latest victory over the Washington-Liberty Generals in baseball action accomplished two things.

The 7-2 win extended Yorktown’s long winning streak over its Arlington rival to 16 games, starting with a victory during the 2017 high-school season.

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Sports

O’Connell golfers place high in three postseason tournaments

By Dave Facinoli
The O'Connell golf team (courtesy of O'Connell athletics)

With top finishes in the spring season’s three biggest tournaments, the Bishop O’Connell Knights enjoyed their best golf campaign in years.

The high-school team finished second in the Washington-Catholic Athletic Conference tourney, fourth at the Washington Metro Boys Golf Championship, then tied for fourth at the season-ending co-ed Division I private-school state competition.

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Sports

Softball players continue their success in the collegiate ranks

By Dave Facinoli
Abby Kohan plays for Dickinson College (courtesy of Dickinson athletics)

A number of former standout softball players on high school teams from Arlington continue having success participating in the women’s college sport this spring.

Washington-Liberty High graduate Bridget Bartz batted .353, hit two home runs and had 18 RBI for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The junior starting shortstop had 30 hits, including six doubles, and played in 32 games. Her two home runs came in the same contest.

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Sports

O’Connell tops St. Mary’s Ryken again to win WCAC softball crown

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell gathers with the trophy (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

When Bishop O’Connell and St. Mary’s Ryken meet in girls softball, the games are close and action is pressure-packed.

Nothing was different this spring, when the showdown of teams with the same “Knights” nickname met in the championship contest of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference high-school girls tournament at George Mason University.

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Sports

Yorktown softball team enjoys a strong finish to the regular season

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown pitcher Samantha Parker (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

An up-and-down regular season ended on a high note with three straight victories during a key stretch for the Yorktown Patriots in softball.

In addition, the girls high-school team (10-10) finished 4-0 against Arlington rivals, defeating the Wakefield Warriors and Washington-Liberty Generals twice each. That also was the case last spring.

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Sports

Spring season brought much success for Marymount teams

By Dave Facinoli
A Marymount softball celebration (courtesy of Marymount athletics)

The spring season has been a high-water mark for Marymount University’s Division III sports teams.

There were five Saints squads that won Atlantic East Conference tournament titles, including the baseball and women’s softball squads on the same Saturday (May 10) afternoon.

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Sports

Many Arlington players chosen all-district in girls and boys lacrosse

By Dave Facinoli
Jon Malatesta (7) and goalie Alex Conner (2) made first team from W-L (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Nearly 40 players from Arlington high schools were chosen to the various girls and boys all-Liberty District lacrosse teams for their performances during the spring season.

On the girls side, multiple players from the undefeated and defending Class 6 state-champion Yorktown Patriots were selected to first and second teams and honorable mention.

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