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 girls basketball coach leaves for assistant job at Marymount

By Dave Facinoli
Maddy DeCou coaches during a timeout (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

For Maddy DeCou, the chance to coach for the college basketball team where she played was too good an opportunity to pass up.

So the head coach of the Washington-Liberty Generals girls high-school hoop team the past two seasons made the tough decision. She stepped down, accepting a job as an assistant coach in the same sport for Arlington’s nearby Division III Marymount University women’s team.

Go to W-L girls basketball coach leaves for assistant job at Marymount Read more
Sports

W-L wins two close road lacrosse games against quality opponents

By Dave Facinoli
Drew Rosenberger, right, guards W-L's Alexander Van Haaren (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Having difficulty winning close games against quality opponents is no longer an issue this season for the Washington-Liberty Generals boys lacrosse team.

Recent road victories over the Herndon Hornets and Lake Braddock Bruins by 11-9 and 9-6 scores, respectively, put that matter to rest, as the high-school team has its best record in years at 10-2.

Go to W-L wins two close road lacrosse games against quality opponents Read more
Sports

Wakefield varsity eights finish on top in crew team’s opening regatta

By Dave Facinoli
Wakefield's girls varsity eight celebrates a win (photo by Justin Pletcher, Sr.)

With most of the finals in each race canceled because of afternoon thunderstorms, the Wakefield Warriors’ crew program still had a strong showing at the annual Al Urquia Regatta.

The high-school event was Saturday (April 26) on the Occoquan River, and was the first regatta of the season for Wakefield.

Go to Wakefield varsity eights finish on top in crew team’s opening regatta Read more
Sports

Marymount women golfers place second in conference tournament

By Dave Facinoli
Marymount's Kate Parsons (courtesy of Marymount athletics)

A first-round lead didn’t hold up the second day as the defending golf champion Marymount University Saints finished second in the Centennial Conference Championships.

The two-day, 36-hole women’s event was held at Waynesboro Country Club in Pennsylvania. Although finishing second, Marymount did not earn a berth to participate in the NCAA Division III tournament.

Go to Marymount women golfers place second in conference tournament Read more
Sports

Arlington teams have their 2025 schedules in Colonial Swimming League

By Dave Facinoli
Luke Sinton swim of the Holy Mackerels (photo by Orisia Gammell)

The schedules and division assignments are set for Arlington’s two teams in the upcoming 2025 summertime’s Colonial Swimming League.

The Arlington Knights of Columbus Holy Mackerels will compete again in the highest Red Division of the 24-team, four-division league.

Go to Arlington teams have their 2025 schedules in Colonial Swimming League Read more
Sports

O’Connell runners perform well during annual Penn Relays meet

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell's Avery Mosley (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The Bishop O’Connell Knights boys and girls track and field teams enjoyed some significant highlights at the famous Penn Relays.

Now in its 129th year, the relays are America’s oldest and largest track-and-field competition, held since 1895 at the University of Pennsylvania at Franklin Field in west Philadelphia.

Go to O’Connell runners perform well during annual Penn Relays meet Read more
Sports

12-0 Yorktown girls lacrosse team defeats two perennial Va. powers

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown goalie Victoria Carcillo makes a save (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The lacrosse playoffs haven’t begun, but the Yorktown Patriots were in postseason form with a couple of recent big victories over a four-day span against two perennial powers and former girls state champions.

The first win was a 16-15 overtime triumph over the visiting Western Albemarle Warriors of Crozet. The Warriors won the past two Virginia High School League Class 4 state championships and had a three-season 43-match winning streak snapped with the loss.

Go to 12-0 Yorktown girls lacrosse team defeats two perennial Va. powers Read more
Sports

Arlington high-school sports schedule for May 2-8

By Dave Facinoli
The Washington-Liberty boys lacrosse team at halftime (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The high-school sports schedule for Arlington’s three public high schools continues in full swing, with a full slate of competition in the many spring sports.

The regular seasons last only another week or so, followed by the start of postseason action.

Go to Arlington high-school sports schedule for May 2-8 Read more
Sports

Arlington baseball teams all have at least one win during busy week

By Dave Facinoli
Wakefield and W-L teams had a busy week (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The Yorktown Patriots (8-6) split two games with their Arlington public-school neighborhood baseball rivals in recent days, defeating the Washington-Liberty Generals, 4-2, then losing to the Wakefield Warriors, 8-4.

The win over W-L was the Patriots’ 15 straight against the Generals (10-6).

Go to Arlington baseball teams all have at least one win during busy week Read more
Sports

Yorktown overtakes W-L during all-Arlington softball showdown

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Audrey Pocrass, left, and Kaiya Ovando (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

In a seesaw girls softball game, the Yorktown Patriots eventually pulled away and defeated the host Washington-Liberty Generals in an all-Arlington neighborhood high-school clash.

Yorktown won the Liberty District contest, 20-9, after trailing by scores of 3-0, 5-2 and 9-6.

Go to Yorktown overtakes W-L during all-Arlington softball showdown Read more
Sports

Arlington Babe Ruth to hold 40th-anniversary event at Barcroft Park

By Dave Facinoli
The event will include opening-day ceremonies (courtesy of ABR)

Arlington Babe Ruth turns 40 this year, and there is an event scheduled to celebrate the anniversary of the junior-age baseball league for players ages 4 to 12.

The event — to be held Saturday, May 3 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Barcroft Park — also will serve as the league’s opening ceremony.

Go to Arlington Babe Ruth to hold 40th-anniversary event at Barcroft Park Read more
Sports

Tough schedule is a chance for Yorktown lacrosse squad to grow

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Nate Randles (37) (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Despite their 3-6 record, don’t count out the Yorktown Patriots in boys lacrosse just yet this season.

Their record is below .500, but the schedule for the young Patriots has been brutal, one of the toughest in the state, so far during the spring high-school campaign.

Go to Tough schedule is a chance for Yorktown lacrosse squad to grow Read more
View More Stories