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

W-L boys dominate Liberty District track-and-field championships

By Dave Facinoli
W-L discus thrower Brandon Kaplan (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

With three senior athletes combining to win seven events and as many as 11 others scoring team points, the Washington-Liberty Generals were big winners in the boys Liberty District track-and-field championships.

The Generals were first with 171 points, far more than the runner-up and host Wakefield Warriors with 114 in the high-school competition spread over two different weeks.

Go to W-L boys dominate Liberty District track-and-field championships Read more
Sports

Yorktown teams successfully defend Liberty District lacrosse titles

By Dave Facinoli
The champion Yorktown boys (courtesy of Yorktown athletics)

On the same cool and rainy night at different sites, the Yorktown Patriots defended their girls and boys Liberty District lacrosse tournament championships with victories over the Langley Saxons.

The undefeated and top seed Yorktown girls (16-0) built a 7-1 lead and won 16-8 on their home field over the second-seeded Saxons. The No. 2-seed boys (10-7) played at top-seed Langley and rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to win 11-10 in sudden-death overtime.

Go to Yorktown teams successfully defend Liberty District lacrosse titles Read more
Sports

Arlington high-school sports schedule for May 23-29

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Kaiya Ovando will compete in the region meet (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The spring high-school sports season for Arlington’s private-school Bishop O’Connell Knights is complete, while the county’s three public-school teams are competing in region-playoff action over the next week.

The Wakefield Warriors, Washington-Liberty Generals and Yorktown Patriots all have teams or athletes entered in individual and team region competition, with one team playing in a district-tournament championship game Friday, May 23.

Go to Arlington high-school sports schedule for May 23-29 Read more
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.

Go to O’Connell girls, boys place third in state Catholic track-and-field meet Read more
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.

Go to Wakefield, Yorktown varsity eights win state crew championships Read more
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.

Go to Marymount enjoys its best season ever in women’s college lacrosse Read more
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.

Go to Memories await pitcher when she joins George Mason softball team Read more
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.

Go to Yorktown extends winning streak against Arlington baseball rival Read more
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.

Go to O’Connell golfers place high in three postseason tournaments Read more
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.

Go to Softball players continue their success in the collegiate ranks Read more
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.

Go to O’Connell tops St. Mary’s Ryken again to win WCAC softball crown Read more
View More Stories