RCHS winter playoffs
Winter Sports regular seasons are in the books, with only the playoffs remaining, and our Rapp Athletes are doing their utmost to make the most of those postseason opportunities.
Our VARSITY WRESTLERS were the first to find postseason success, finally competing only against schools in their own size bracket with a resultant stunning performance at the Region 1B Championship. Led by Region 1 B champ
Johnny Beard, who took first place honors in the 182 weight class, the Rapp team will be sending a total of five grapplers to the State Championship Tournament this weekend in Salem.
In addition to Johnny’s championship finish, other qualifiers for States included
Christian Burns in the 126 weight class, Dalton
Renner in the 132 weight class, Ethan Leake in the 138 weight class, and Billy
Taplin in the heavyweight class. With only six wrestlers competing for a squad that has been wracked by injury and illness, five of the six placed in sixth place or better at the Region Tournament, punching their ticket for the State Meet.
As Coach Paul Paratore noted, “We have a young, inexperienced team that is working hard and doing their best to set an example to help rebuild the program. Johnny Beard will lead us to the State Tourney with pride and Rapp spirit. I am very proud of our team.” Coach Paratore and Coach
Kreighton Long will be working hard with their State qualifiers this week as they prepare for their departure on Thursday afternoon for the State Wrestling Championship. Best of luck to our Rapp Wrestlers as they extend their seasons at the next level!
Over on the BASKETBALL courts, our Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ teams had a last tune-up for the Region 1B Tournament, facing and dropping games to George Mason and Strasburg respectively in the Bull Run District Tournament. However the REAL postseason begins this week, as the teams enter the Region 1B Tournament, facing ONLY teams from schools in Rapp’s 1A size bracket.
Coach Mike Atkins’ boys’ team will take the floor first, squaring off against
Appomattox Regional Governor’s School this Saturday, Feb. 17, on the home Rapp court, tipoff at 1 p.m. A win will secure a spot the following week in the semifinal round of the tourney. Fans are encouraged to attend the game and cheer on the home team and then stick around and participate in the Rapp Band’s Mini-Golf fundraiser going on the same day in the hallways of RCHS. Coach Brandon Burley’s
girls’ team will travel to Stonewall Jackson High School next Monday, February 19, for their first round Regional playoff game. As with the boys, a win Monday will keep their season alive. Best of luck to all our Varsity Athletes as they strive to extend their seasons and bring some more wins home for the Rapp record books!
Parents are reminded that spring sports are almost upon us!
First day of spring sports practices is next Tuesday, Feb. 20. Please remember that ALL student athletes MUST have a current sports physical on file before being allowed to participate in tryouts or practices. Liability law and common sense dictate this requirement and we can make no exceptions. And don’t forget that all Rapp sports events and practices schedules, including spring sports schedules, can be found at the Rapp Athletic Website at www.bullrundistictva.org.