Unsung Seniors of Spring Athletics '06
Here they are, friends, the Spring 2006 class of Unsung Seniors, five athletes whose achievements, often below the radar, contributed greatly their teams’ success.
In baseball, there are easier positions to play than catcher, but Dixon Snukalsnever flinched. “Catching is a leader’s role,” said coach Tommy Nuckols. “Dixon played it great.”
A three-year starter and a captain this season, Snukals, who’s bound for Washington & Lee, was behind the plate in 128 of the 130 innings in 19 games and had only one passed ball and no – I repeat, NO – errors. Helping the Cougars to a 13-6 record and second place in the Prep League, he also hit .250 with 9 runs batted in, two of which were game winners.
“Dixon was a key reason this team was able to have a great season,” said Nuckols. “He got beaten up many times but always bounced back and never said a word. It will be hard to replace his attitude and work ethic.”
“Margaret always displayed excellent sportsmanship,” said coach Heather Garnett. “She’s passionate about being successful. She’s a role model who puts the team first. She’s self-motivated, unselfish, and coachable.”
A three-year varsity letter winner, Rosebro played a position that doesn’t lend itself to glowing statistics. Nevertheless, she had 31 ground balls, 1 goal, 1 interception, and 2 draw controls.
“Margaret was like a rattlesnake on defense, patient and ready to strike with a check, but only when appropriate,” added Garnett. “She’s a natural leader who balanced sensitivity with intense competitiveness.”
Over the past four years, the soccer team amassed an astounding 70-8-2 record and extended its streak of LIS titles to 11. Hallie Gillespie, a starter since the 9th grade, was one of the reasons.
“Hallie plays sweeper with poise and confidence,” said coach Bill Rider. “In many ways, she’s our first attacker, for after breaking up the opposing play, she has the vision and skills to find the teammate who’s in the best position to get the attack going.”
What opponents didn’t always know about Gillespie was that she played with significant back pain for which doctors have found no cause or remedy.
“I just play because I love it,” she said. “I can’t imagine not being on a team.”
Ryan Nelson entered his final track season with unfinished business. For two years, he had flirted with the 5-minute mile. Many times he’d been close. Then, late in the fall, he injured his right knee and spent the winter on the exercise bike and in physical therapy.
In his first attempt this spring, he missed by a hair. Then, on April 11 in a home meet with Powhatan, he hit his splits perfectly and ran 4:57.9. A week later at Woodberry Forest, he was even faster, lowering his personal best to 4:55.9. Nelson meant more to the track program, however, than numbers on a stopwatch.
“In his own quiet way,” said coach Mark Palyo, “Ryan showed the younger members of the team that through desire, commitment, and hard work, you can achieve a goal.”
Andrew Stanley, coach of the state championship boys’ lacrosse team, calls Billy Ford a “glue guy. He was willing to play whatever position or whatever role we needed him on a particular day,” said Stanley. “He’s incredibly coachable.”
An occasional starter who played midfield at times and attack at others, Ford had 9 goals and 9 assists as the Cougars finished 17-4 and also won the Prep League title. In the state quarterfinals against Potomac, he stepped in when starting attack Ben Sauer was injured, scored 2 goals, and contributed 2 assists.
“He’s a hustler and a battler,” added Stanley. “He balances a quiet disposition with an incredible drive to succeed.” — Weldon Bradshaw (wbradsha@collegiate-va.org)
