The Blue Devil Report from Fork Union Military Academy's Athletic Department is your source for weekly updates on the Fork Union Blue Devils. Here's the latest from @FUMAathletics.
Contents:
- FUMA's Athlete of the Week -- Blaine Toombs, Cross Country
- Weekly Recap
- Featured Stories: Cross Country, PG Basketball, Prep & Junior Prep Basketball
- Next week's schedule
- PG Basketball Preview: National Prep Showcase
- All-Virginia Prep League & All-State Fall Honors
- Early Signing Day Ceremony
- Special Visit From Former PG Basketball Standouts
FUMA's Athlete of the Week
Blaine Toombs • Cross Country
Blaine Toombs was a huge factor in Fork Union's fourth-place finish at the 2016 VISAA Cross Country State Championships. The Louisa County native recorded a season-best time of 17:26.41 to place 11th and received All-State honors for the first time in his young career.
"Blaine has made very quick progress in the past two years, rising from a new runner to now an All-State performer. He has bigger days ahead." -- Coach Brown
Weekly Recap
- Fri., Nov. 11 -- Cross Country at VISAA State Championships: 4th
- Sun., Nov. 13 -- PG Basketball at Roanoke College: WIN, 93-51
- Sun., Nov. 13 -- PG Football at Jireh Prep Warriors: LOSS, 30-14
Cross Country Finishes Fourth at VISAA State Championships
Friday, November 11 -- Meet Recap
The Fork Union cross country team recorded another impressive performance in its season finale, placing fourth at the 2016 VISAA Cross Country State Championships this past Friday at the Fred Hardy Cross Country Course.
The Blue Devils were led by All-Prep League performers, Julian Yescas and Blaine Toombs, who both finished in the top-20 with a seventh and 11th-place showing with marks under 17 and a half minutes, respectively, to earn All-State honors.
Quinn Calahan also turned in an impressive time, crossing the finish line at the 18:34.41 mark that was almost 10 seconds faster than his Prep League performance as he placed 34th.
Top-5 Finishes - Fork Union
- Julian Yescas - 7th - 17:15.41
- Blaine Toombs - 11th - 17:26.41
- Quinn Calahan - 34th - 18:34.41
- Abel Lulseged - 47th - 18:47.24
- Jack Greenspon - 57th - 19:08.24
"The Fork Union community came together on Friday and put on a wonderful show for the 52nd annual VISAA Cross Country State Championships. It was a privilege to be there and to be apart of it." -- Coach Brown
PG Basketball Downs Roanoke College, 93-51
Sunday, November 13 -- Game Recap
The Fork Union PG basketball team downed Roanoke College, 93-51, this past Sunday at the Morris M. Cregger Center.
The Blue Devils had an impressive day shooting with Dimitri Chambers leading the way with 14 points. LaMont McManus and Darian Peterson each recorded a team-high 10 rebounds.
Fork Union will travel to New Haven, Conn., for the two-day National Prep Showcase, starting Friday, Nov. 18 at 10:30 a.m. against Notre Dame Prep.
"This game was a great first step to what will be an extremely tough week. The guys were focused and played hard, which we hope will carry over to the National Prep Showcase in New Haven, Conn., this Friday and Saturday. We are very appreciative of Roanoke College for inviting us to play them in the beautiful, brand new Cregger Center." -- Coach Donohue
Prep & Junior Prep Basketball Completes Preseason
The Fork Union Prep and Junior Prep basketball teams have been practicing for about two weeks and have completed two preseason scrimmages.
The Blue Devils faced Henrico and Petersburg counties this past Saturday in an organized two-quarter round robin, before facing Amelia Academy on Wednesday.
"I’m excited about this season because we have the potential to go to States again. I think we have one of the biggest teams in the league so competing and executing will be the keys to our season. It's often a challenge for us at the beginning of the year, because we have a 10-day Thanksgiving break, while other teams are working out at the beginning of the year." -- Coach Pelham
2016 Prep Basketball Team
Abimbola Banjoko, James Brooks, DeAndre Clifton, Stephen Hamilton, Denzel Hunter-Shaw, Jonathan Ilori, Antonio Pua'auli-Pelham, Hunter Seymour, Detwon Shelton, Julius Smith, Dontae Thorton, Maccall Warner
"We have the making for a special team. Everyone contributes in their own way, brining their own unique skill to the pot. I've enjoyed seeing the guys bond the way they have after only being together for a little over two weeks and I'm excited to see how we will grow as the season plays out." -- Coach Barnette
2016 Junior Prep Basketball Team
Blake Chiovaro, Ford DeVault, Larry Elder, Will Hamilton, Donal Hatcher, Elijah Hawks, Chrishawn Hickman, Quadir Jones, John Meheen, Dominic Palko, James Pua'auli-Pelham, Iosefa Pua'auli, Jonathan Villain
Up Next in FUMA Athletics
- Fri., Nov. 18 - PG Basketball at National Prep Showcase: 10:30 AM vs. Notre Dame Prep
- Sat., Nov. 19 - PG Basketball at National Prep Showcase: 9:30 AM vs. St. Thomas More School
Thanksgiving Break: Friday, Nov. 18 through Sunday, Nov. 27
Click here for more information on the National Prep Showcase
National Prep Showcase Preview
Fall Postseason Honors
Fork Union athletics had an impressive fall season as 10 Blue Devils received All-Virginia Prep League honors, while placing three on All-State squads. Prep football led the way with six All-Virginia Prep League honorees, while cross country and prep soccer had All-State honors.
Below is the full list of Fork Union honorees:
2016 All-Virginia Prep League Fall Honors
- Juan Carlos Davis | Senior | Charlottesville, Va. | Prep Soccer
- Julian Yescas | Junior | Miami, Fla. | Cross Country
- Blaine Toombs | Sophomore | Louisa, Va. | Cross Country
- Quinn Calahan | Senior | Manassas, Va. | Cross Country
- Iosefa Pua'auli | Sophomore | Honolulu, Hawaii | Prep Football
- Zack Pace | Senior | Scottsville, Va. | Prep Football
- Brennon Garrison | Senior | Orange, Va. | Prep Football
- Logan Justice | Junior | Lewes, Del. | Prep Football
- Jonathan Hegler | Senior | Hodges, S.C. | Prep Football
- Will Stupalsky | Junior | Raleigh, N.C. | Prep Football
2016 All-State Fall Honors
- Juan Carlos Davis | Senior | Charlottesville, Va. | Prep Soccer
- Julian Yescas | Junior | Miami, Fla. | Cross Country
- Blaine Toombs | Sophomore | Louisa, Va. | Cross Country
Congratulations to all the Fork Union honorees!
Early Signing Day Ceremony
Tuesday, November 16, 2016
On Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Fork Union Athletics Department honored five individuals who have committed to participate in college athletics.
Swimmers Tamas Novoszath and Tarek Aboelthana, baseball’s Jacob Grabeel, PG basketball’s LeAndre Thomas and PG football’s Silas Dzansi signed National Letters of Intent on Tuesday afternoon in the Estes Athletic Center.
- Tamas Novoszath | Swimming | University of South Carolina
- Tarek Aboelthana | Swimming | Oakland University
- Jacob Grabeel | Baseball | Bridgewater College
- LeAndre Thomas | Basketball | University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Silas Dzansi | Football | Virginia Tech
Below is the full press release.
Roommates Laue & Ramirez Visit with Coach Arritt
Fork Union teammates Kevin Laue and Julian Ramirez have remained very close since rooming with each other during the 2008-09 season. Laue, a California native, became the first-ever one-armed Division I player in college basketball when he signed with Manhattan College. Ramirez, a local Fluvanna County native, received a scholarship to Roanoke College.
On Thursday, the two visited campus with former PG basketball head coach Fletcher Arritt and FUMA Athletics got a chance to sit down with the three of them.
Follow us on Social Media!
THANK YOU!
Credits:
Charles Thomas, Al Williamson