PREPS PLUS: VHSL ponders sweeping classification changes

The Virginia High School League laid out a a new proposal for how to divide the state with regards to the postseason, and the new proposal clearly coincides with the Redistricting and Reclassification committee’s desire to “think outside the box,” as detailed in the power point presentation.

“I think it definitely addresses the concerns that were raised by the membership,” VHSL executive director Ken Tilley said. “Those issues that needed to be considered in terms of size disparity and inequity … this produces equity across the board.”

Tilley, and local athletic directors who deffered comment to a future time as they were just learning details of the plan, pointed out that it was just a proposal, and just the beginning of the process at that.

“This is just the beginning, but when we introduced this, we went around in regions and got a lot of, ‘We think that has merit,’” Tilley said. “Frankly, we haven’t heard a lot of negative feedback — there’s some questions, there’s some concerns. I’m encouraged by the initial reaction. I’m optimistic that we can deal with the questions that might arise.”

The new system would do away with regional tournament play and drop the Group classification
altogether. It would also eliminate district play’s impact on who makes the playoffs, going to a section and super-section format.

In the current five division proposal, based on 2007 enrollment numbers, Albemarle, Louisa County and Orange County would be in Division 4, the second-largest division. Louisa and Albemarle are slated in the Western Super Section, Section B while Orange is in the Eastern Super Section, Section C.

Charlottesville, Monticello, Western Albemarle and Waynesboro, on the other hand, would all be in Division 3, Western Super Section, Section B. Fluvanna and William Monroe would be in Division 3 as well, in the Eastern Super Section, Section C.

In Division 2, where Nelson County, Buckingham County and Madison County would reside according to the proposal, Nelson and Madison would be in Eastern C while Buckingham would be in Western B.

The sectional format would still leave the flexibility for schools to keep the districts intact and compete for district titles, but different criteria could determine what teams move on to the VHSL’s postseason.

This is a developing story, and wouldn’t go into effect as it stands until the 2011-12 season. A huge majority of the details have yet to be hammered out, so look for more about the proposal in the next few weeks.

Geisler commits to Cavs

Virginia lacrosse coach Dom Starsia watched a lot of St. Anne’s-Belfield lacrosse last year as his nephew Zach played goalie for the Saints for the better part of the season before a medical problem knocked him out.

Apparently Virginia’s coach liked what he saw in his nephew’s replacement.

Austin Geisler, now a junior goalie for St. Anne’s, verbally committed to Virginia recently. A Fredericksburg native who boards five days a week at STAB, Geisler stepped in when Zach Starsia was unable to play and performed well in goal as the Saints rolled to a state title.

Geisler joins Howie Long, a senior defenseman, as a Virginia commitment.

“I always wanted to go there,” Geisler said. “In 2004, I went to the Johns Hopkins game that Virginia won in overtime and ever since then I wanted to go.”

Geisler’s choice came down to North Carolina and Virginia, both traditional ACC lacrosse powers, but he drew interest from a number of other programs throughout the nation. It’s clear now that moving to STAB as a freshman in high school to take on boarding has worked out for the junior.

“It’s paid off more than I ever thought it would,” Geisler said.

“[St. Anne’s coaches Doug Tarring and Bo Perriello] know everybody. [Saints goalie coach] Rodney Rullman is a great goalie coach and they’ve taught me everything and have gotten me to where I am now.’

Warriors continue JD dominance

Western Albemarle’s boys cross country team continued its dominance last week as it won the Jefferson District title at Panorama Farms. The Warriors, last year’s Group AA runners-up, had six runners finish in the top 15. Leading the pack was senior Tyler Stutzman, who won the individual title in a time of 15:36. Teammate Kyle Satterwhite took third, while James Howard-Smith was fourth.

“It’s certainly nice to have the strong runners out front and that’s worth a lot to us,” said Western coach Lindy Bain. “I’m trying to close the gap on the front runners — it makes all the guys work harder.”

Western hopes the trend continues this week as it competes in the Region II meet at Oatlands on Thursday. The Warriors placed second in the meet last year.

“We’re just going to go for the win, we’re not going to try to set any new time records,” said Stutzman.

A strong showing could put Western back in the state meet, which is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Great Meadow in The Plains. Bain knows the Warriors have their work cut out for them.

“We’re certainly hoping we can win a state championship, but Jamestown is looking really good. We may not have enough time to get there, but that’s what we’ll be shooting for,” Bain said. “I’m really happy with what we did [at the district meet], and hopefully in another 2 1/2 weeks, everybody will be really happy with what we do.”