Six girls from the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula have earned recognition for their athletic accomplishments at St. Margaret’s School. They were among the student-athletes who received awards at the school’s recent fall sports banquet. The St. Margaret’s crew team, which debuted this fall, voted junior Hannah Kessler of Bethesda MD most valuable rower, and junior Martha Joslyn of Tappahannock most improved rower. Coach Maren Laliberty recognized senior Taylor Bryant of West Haven, CT with a coach’s award.

The junior varsity volleyball team selected freshmen Rebecca McKinley of Tappahannock as its most valuable player, and Ivy Turner of Tappahannock as its most improved player. Coach Kay Brooks Carlton presented a coach’s award to sophomore Lizzy Cordes of New Orleans, LA for her team spirit and dedication to skill improvement.

Award winners for the varsity volleyball team were senior Chelsea Jacobs of Dunnsville, voted most valuable player, and senior Julia Cibulka of Nicholasville, KY, voted most improved. Coach Larry Foulk recognized junior Laura Kelley of Baton Rouge, LA, with a coach’s award for her positive attitude and coachability.

Seniors Ligon Brooks of Millers Tavern and Hannah McKee of Winston-Salem, NC both received coach’s and senior awards for their three years of varsity play and dedication to the field hockey team. Sophomore Crystal Thomas of Severn, MD was voted most valuable player, and won a place on the League of Independent Schools’ all-league field hockey team. She was selected for the honor by coaches at other LIS schools.

For cross-country, sophomore Caroline Casey of Richmond was voted most valuable runner and senior Keri Straughan of Hauge was voted most improved. A five-year member of the team, Straughan was also recognized for her dedication, along with senior Courtney Gibson of Windsor Mill, MD, with a senior award. Coaches Frank and Millie Rixey also presented the coach’s award to junior Michka Sharpe of Kingston, Jamaica.

The banquet marked the end of the fall athletic season. Swimming, basketball, and track teams have begun practicing in preparation for winter sports events. Varsity basketball, coached by Laura Dusablon, has its first home tip-off against St. Gertrude’s on Friday, December 1, as does JV basketball, coached by Larry Foulk. Swimming, coached by Kay Brooks Carlton, splashes into action the same day against Frederickburg Academy. The track team has its first meet at St. Catherine’s in Richmond on December 9.

                               Field hockey award winners