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

Athletes from local high schools chosen to spring all-state teams

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell's Gigi Payne was an all-state selection in softball (photo by Dave Facinoli)

Players from multiple sports for Arlington teams received public and private all-state honors for their performances during the 2026 spring high school season.

Leading the way were the three Bishop O’Connell Knights baseball players chosen to the Division I private school all-state first team.

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Sports

Four Arlington swim teams all win season-opening meets

By Dave Facinoli
The Overlee Flying Fish opened their swim season with a win on June 20 (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The opening week of the summer season resulted in victories for all four of Arlington’s Northern Virginia Swimming League teams on Saturday morning.

The last time all four won in the same week was during the 2015 campaign, while the last time all four won their opening meets in the same season was 2005.

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Sports

Yorktown softball, lacrosse teams end seasons in state tournaments

By Dave Facinoli
Kaya Randall pitches for Yorktown during the playoffs (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Reaching state tournaments this spring season was something familiar for one Yorktown High School team, but a new experience for a second.

Getting there marked a first for the girls softball team, but was old hat for the previous state-champion boys lacrosse squad.

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Sports

Better Sports Club awards banquet celebrates Arlington students, coaches

By Dave Facinoli
Recipients of 2026 Better Sports Club of Arlington awards awards (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

The 70th annual Better Sports Club of Arlington awards banquet honored high school student-athletes, along with their coaches and boosters, for successes during the 2025-26 school year.

More than 30 high school seniors received awards for their overall excellence during competition, in the classroom and in the community.

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Sports

Yorktown girls soccer team falls just short of state crown, closing stellar season

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Claire Beasley (23) shoots on goal in the state final (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

They had hoped to win a couple of more championships instead of having runner-up finishes. Yet, the Yorktown Patriots still achieved a high-water mark by reaching the championship games of the maximum three post-season girls high-school soccer tournaments this spring.

The most recent was the Virginia High School League’s Class 6 state tournament final June 13 in Ashburn. Yorktown lost that game, 1-0, on a late goal off a corner kick to the Independence Tigers on their home field.

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Sports

Yorktown senior wins state discus title, catches in softball final in one busy day

By Dave Facinoli
Kaiya Ovando won the state discus title (courtesy of Yorktown track-and-field)

It was close, but Yorktown High School multiple-sport student-athlete Kaiya Ovando made it with a bit of time to spare.

With many anxiously following her progress, Ovando successfully participated in two different championship high-school sporting events at venues hours apart on Friday, June 5.

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Sports

Arlington track-and-field teams shine at state, wrapping up spring competition

By Dave Facinoli
O'Connell's Brefczynski brothers placed high in races at the conference meet (photo by Dave Facinoli)

Arlington high-school track-and-field teams included one event winner, one runner-up and other top-10 finishers at the season-ending Class 6 girls and boys state meets.

The winner was Yorktown Patriots’ senior discus thrower Kaiya Ovando at the Virginia High School League event, held June 5-6 in Newport News. Her throw was a personal best and school record mark of 134 feet, 7 inches to win the girls event.

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Sports

Yorktown gets plenty of shots but only one goal in region soccer final

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown's Anna Larbalestier (24) heads the ball toward the Oakton goal as Claire Beasley (23) looks on in the region final (photo by Dave Facinoli)

Old habits changed for the Yorktown Patriots when it came to winning a region soccer championship.

The last four times the Yorktown Patriots competed in the 6D North Regional girls soccer championship game, the squad came away with the title.

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Sports

Yorktown boys head to state lacrosse tournament after strong season

By Dave Facinoli
Yorktown boys lacrosse district champions (courtesy Yorktown lacrosse)

The Yorktown Patriots have continued as heavy hitters in postseason boys lacrosse action this spring.

With the campaign-ending state tournament still to come, the high-school team already has won a sixth straight Liberty District tourney, followed by finishing second in the 6D North Region competition for the second year in a row and third time overall.

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Sports

Yorktown softball team wins its first Liberty District tournament

By Dave Facinoli
The Yorktown Patriots gather with the Liberty District tournament softball banner (courtesy of Yorktown softball)

Behind the standout performance of a talented freshman and the help of her many teammates, the Yorktown Patriots made history in girls softball.

The high-school team won the Liberty District tournament for the first time when the third-seeded Patriots edged the host and top-seed Langley Saxons, 2-1 in extra innings, in the May 28 championship game.

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Sports

Marymount’s flag football team wins two postseason tournaments

By Dave Facinoli
Marymount gathers with the Atlantic East Conference tournament banner and trophy (courtesy of Marymount athletics)

Through three seasons, the Marymount University Saints’ flag football team remains perfect in postseason play.

The Division III women’s team finished the spring campaign with a 4-0 playoff record that included winning two postseason tournaments. Coupled with the last two years, the Saints now own an 8-0 playoff mark.

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Sports

Local crew squads make marks in season’s final two big regattas

By Dave Facinoli
The Yorktown boys varsity eight holds bronze medals at the national meet (courtesy of Yorktown crew)

Arlington’s three public high-school crew teams saw significant highlights during the two prestigious season-ending out-of-town regattas.

The most notable performance was that of the Yorktown Patriots boys varsity eight shell.

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