Briar Woods Grad Zach Deaton Places 4th at Collegiate Triathlon Nationals Sprint in Alabama

Article and photos courtesy Aaron Bradner

(Apr. 14, 2011) - Former Briar Woods High School XC/Track runner Zach Deaton and is now currently a Virginia Tech Hokie Club Triathlete. This past Saturday, April 9, Deaton and 21 other Hokies made the trip to Tuscaloosa Ala. for the USA Collegiate Triathlon Nationals.

The event represented over 1,600 multisport athletes and 120 academic institutions. The three races were divided up into Men's and Women's Olympic distance race, and also a Sprint distance triathlon. Deaton raced the sprint distance and came in 4th in the undergrad division and 7th overall out of 295 males.

Deaton first stumbled upon the sport when he decided he didn't want to continue his running career at the next level, turning down walkon opportunities at Longwood University and Radford University.

"I wanted to challenge myself not with just one sport, but with multiple sports in one (endurance) race," said Deaton.

He has currently competed in only three triathlons so far but his future in the sport is looking pretty bright. His parents have a lot of experience in this sport as they used to race over seas and compete in ultra-marathons, triathlons, and even Ironman's.

"I hope to one day complete an Ironman, like my Dad, but I need to be a little patient and not jump into a race that completely destroys the body," said Deaton.


Overall the Virginia Tech Club triathlon men's team finished 8th out of teams in the Olympic distance event.

Men's Lacrosse: Briar Woods Alum Andy Luhmann Leads Frostburg State to Win as Sports Returns for the First Time in Over 30 Years

Briar Woods grad Andy Luhmann poised to score for Frostburg State

Frostburg MD (Feb. 22, 2011) - Men's lacrosse returned to Frostburg State University after a 30-year plus absence and Briar Woods High School graduate Andy Luhmann scored the first two goals as the Bobcats beat Shenandoah, 10-3, in the first varsity men's lacrosse game for the university since 1978.

Luhmann, a 6-foot freshman, ended up with three goals total in front former teammates and Briar Woods coach Bruce Lipson on hand for the historic contest Saturday.

Luhmann and current Briar Woods goalie Matt Bukovac 

The Bobcats sponsored men's lacrosse as a varsity sport from 1970-78, but the team was moved to club status following the 1978 season.

FSU fell behind 1-0 less than four minutes into action, but rattled off two-consecutive Luhmann goals for a 2-1 lead. Shenandoah (0-1) tied the game at 2-2, but the Bobcats found the net eight-straight times covering the second, third and fourth quarters for a 10-2 advantage. The Hornets scored their third goal of the game in the waning seconds.

The Bobcats return to action on Wednesday when they host St. Vincent at 4 p.m.

Track and Field/Football: Briar Woods Grads, Twins Taren and Tavis Henry, Looking to Make Their Mark in College

Taren Henry

Ashburn (Feb. 8, 2011) - Recent Briar Woods High School graduates, twins Taren and Tavis Henry, are looking to make their mark in college in their respective sports with Taren a freshman high jumper at George Mason University and Tavis having completed his freshman football season as a linebacker at Ferrum.

Taren has participated in four indoor meets so far during her first year as a Patriot and she has three top five finishes including a fifth place finish at the weekend's 11th Annual New Balance Armory Collegiate Invitational in New York City.

Henry is one of five Loudoun athletes on the George Mason track and field team including junior Shehzaib Usman of Park View, junior Kimmy Moss of Broad Run, freshman Meredith Oare of Park View and junior Elizabeth Smith of Freedom.

Tavis Henry

Tavis, one of five Loudoun athletes on the Ferrum football team in the fall, is looking for a breakout sophomore season from the 5-foot-9, 209-pound linebacker for the Panthers which went 4-6 in 2010.

Among the other Loudoun athletes includes Heritage grad, Chris McCalla, who started four games at linebacker as a senior and registered 43 tackles and a sack in 10 games.

Also at Ferrum: freshman LB Anthony Wiley of Loudoun Valley, freshman WR Mike Girdy of Stone Bridge and freshman RB Ricky Simmons of Loudoun Valley.

Basketball: BWoods Grad Bell Just Misses Double-Double in First College Action

(Nov. 1, 2010) - Briar Woods High School grad Kim Bell just missed a double-double in her first college action as she scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds in Utah Valley's season-opening exhibition loss, 75-72, to Dixie State.

With the Wolverines starting center out injured, Bell got the start and she responded with a steal and block to go with the near double-double.

"Kim is doing very well and loves playing for Utah Valley University. We hope for more great things to come whether she fills in at center or where ever they need her to play. She made a great contribution in tonight's game," reports Bell's mother Rosemary who was in Utah to watch the game in person.

More on the game.

VivaLoudoun is looking for parents who want to help us keep this College Corner site updated with the latest from Loudoun athletes in college. Contact editor Dan Sousa to get permission to add to the site: dan.sousa@vivaloudoun.com.