Bishop O'Connell | ARLnow.com

Published September 8, 2026 at 9:00PM

The Bishop O'Connell offense (black) and Washington-Liberty defense (white) had strong performances in week-two action (file photo by Dave Facinoli)

Arlington’s high-school football teams each came away with a victory in Sept. 3-4 competition, and for the first time since the 2014 season, all four have at least one win after two games of a new season.

On Sept. 3, the visiting Wakefield Warriors (1-1) held off the Rock Ridge High School Phoenix of Ashburn to win 21-14 in non-district play, the host Washington-Liberty Generals (2-0) topped the McLean Highlanders, 17-7, in a Liberty District contest, and the host Yorktown Patriots (1-1) blanked the Ballou Knights (1-1) of D.C., 41-0, also in non-league action.

Sports

W-L defeats rival O’Connell in football season opener

By Dave Facinoli

Published August 31, 2026 at 12:45PM | Updated August 31, 2026 at 1:14PM

Receiver Colby Arenson tries to make a catch for Washington-Liberty as O'Connell's Timothy Robertson defends (photo by Dave Facinoli)

The Washington-Liberty Generals defeated the Bishop O’Connell Knights for the second straight season in an all-Arlington high-school football showdown.

Visiting W-L won the Aug. 28 non-conference contest, 35-21, in the fall opener for both squads. Because there is no field lighting at O’Connell, football games are played in the afternoon.

Sports

O’Connell coaches are optimistic about upcoming football season

By Dave Facinoli

Published August 27, 2026 at 2:45PM

Nick Morris returns as a top running back for O'Connell (photo by Dave Facinoli)

Victories have been few and sometimes far between in recent seasons for the Bishop O’Connell Knights’ varsity football team.

The private-school squad hopes to change those results during the 2026 campaign, which begins with an afternoon non-conference home contest at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, against the Washington-Liberty Generals in an all-Arlington showdown.

Sports

High school football kicks off in Arlington later this month

By Dave Facinoli

Published August 6, 2026 at 4:45PM

Ryan Turpin, left, returns as O'Connell's starting quarterback (photo by Dave Facinoli)

High school football in Northern Virginia is set for kickoff later this month.

Arlington’s Bishop O’Connell Knights, Wakefield Warriors, Washington-Liberty Generals and Yorktown Patriots open their 10-game regular-season campaigns, which include a bye week for each, on Aug. 27 and 28.

Sports

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

By Dave Facinoli

Published June 8, 2026 at 12:45PM

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.

Sports

O’Connell baseball team wins WCAC tournament for first time in 25 years

By Dave Facinoli

Published May 18, 2026 at 10:45AM

O'Connell gathers with the WCAC championship trophy (photo courtesy of O'Connell baseball)

A season full of notable accomplishments for the Bishop O’Connell Knights culminated in winning the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) baseball tournament for the first time in 25 years.

The second seed won the tournament with a 5-1 record, clinching the crown by defeating the top seed St. Paul VI Catholic Panthers in the deciding contest of a three-game championship series played at the University of Maryland.

Sports

O’Connell finishes second in conference softball tournament

By Dave Facinoli

Published May 11, 2026 at 11:45AM

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.

Sports

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

By Dave Facinoli

Published May 4, 2026 at 1:00PM | Updated May 5, 2026 at 11:35AM

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.

Sports

Numerous Arlington athletes earn all-state honors for winter season

By Dave Facinoli

Published April 10, 2026 at 10:45AM

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.

Sports

O’Connell baseball team enjoying strong start with 10-1 record

By Dave Facinoli

Published April 3, 2026 at 1:00PM | Updated April 3, 2026 at 2:37PM

O'Connell's Walker McElwain slides into third base (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Multiple blowout victories have made the start to the 2026 high-school baseball season uniquely significant for the Bishop O’Connell Knights this spring.

The private-school squad, led by a number of players who have committed to play the sport at Division I colleges, hasn’t opened a season with so many lopsided wins in many years.

Sports

Wakefield boys, W-L girls win chilly outdoor county track meets

By Dave Facinoli

Published April 2, 2026 at 9:15AM

Runners near the finish in the boys 400-meter race (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Athletes for the Wakefield Warriors boys and Washington-Liberty girls track-and-field teams endured cold and wind during an early-season outdoor meet to win the Arlington County championships.

The high-school meet took place March 28 at Bishop O’Connell in weather conditions more suitable for the winter’s indoor season.

Sports

O’Connell pitcher strikes out record 28 batters in softball game

By Dave Facinoli

Published March 30, 2026 at 4:45PM

O'Connell's Annie Van Dyck struck out 28 batters in 11 innings against St. Paul VI Catholic (photo courtesy of O'Connell softball)

The Bishop O’Connell Knights girls softball team has had dozens of talented pitchers in its storied past. Yet none achieved what right-hander Annie Van Dyck accomplished during a recent extra-inning game.

In that 11-inning high-school contest against host St. Paul VI Catholic, the junior struck out 28 batters in 10 1/3 innings of work in a 4-3 walkoff loss.