News & Events

Norfolk Academy enjoyed a highly successful winter athletics season, which includes four TCIS conference championships and numerous individual state titles.

More importantly, Director of Athletics Chad Byler noted, teams grew together and displayed four core qualities of Bulldog athletics: Commitment, Respect, Spirit, and Toughness. “We have become stronger as a Bulldog community," he said.

More fall highlights: 

Boys Swimming and Diving

Coaches: Kristen Kirkman, Keith Kopecky, Dan Garbutt, Mike Zmuda
TCIS Champions
VISAA Spirit Award
VPL Championships: 4th place
VISAA State Championships: 2nd place
TCIS All-Conference: Richard Hope '24, Carter Whetstine '24, Jude Carroll '25, Fletch Creech '25, Adam Fairchilds '25, Spencer Thompson '25, Blaise Van Slyke '25
TCIS MVP: Spencer Thompson '25
VISAA All-State: Richard Hope '24, Carter Whetstine '24, Jude Carroll '25, Spencer Thompson '25, Blaise Van Slyke '25
VISAA State Champions: Richard Hope '24, Carter Whetstine '25, Spencer Thompson '25, Blaise Van Slyke '25 (200 free relay); Carter Whetstine '24, Jude Carroll '25, Spencer Thompson '25, Blaise Van Slyke '25 (400 free relay)
Swimming Most Valuable Player: Blaise Van Slyke '25
Diving Coaches Award: Joe Bakkar '24
Swimming Coaches Award: Richard Hope '24

Girls Indoor Track 

Coaches: Phil Call, Elaine Denson, John Galler, Betsy Guzik, Kerrie Stacks, Ellie Vest, Kim Yager, Vanessa Yearick
TCIS Champions
LIS Championships: 3rd place
VISAA State Tournament: 4th place 
VISAA Field MVP: Taylor Kulow '27
VISAA State Champion: Taylor Kulow '27 (high jump)
LIS Field MVP: Taylor Kulow '27
LIS Champions: Taylor Kulow '27 (high jump), Sophie Pollio '24 (shot put)
TCIS Field MVP: Taylor Kulow '27
School Record: Josie Saffold '25 (300M)
Running Most Valuable Player: Adaline Scott '26
Field Most Valuable Player: Taylor Kulow '27
Ken Lampert Award: Whitney Collenberg '24

Wrestling

Coaches: Chris Runzo, Nick Rahall, Landon LoAlbo, Kevin Michaels, Dustin Runzo, Nate Gibely
TCIS Betty Jean Riddick Sportsmanship Award
VPL Tournament Runners-Up
TCIS Tournament: 3rd place
VISAA State Tournament: 7th place
TCIS Champions: Tucker Gaddy '24, Sam Tignor '24, Kaleb Gibson '25 
VPL Champions: Sam Tignor '24, Kaleb Gibson '25
VISAA Bronze Medalists & National Preps Qualifiers: Tucker Gaddy '24 (157 lbs.), Sam Tignor '24 (165 lbs.), Kaleb Gibson '25 (HWT)
James H. Flippen III Award: Kaleb Gibson '25
Coaches Award: Sam Tignor '24
Most Improved Player: Josue Perez-Rosario '25

Boys Indoor Track

Coaches: Phil Call, Elaine Denson, John Galler, Betsy Guzik, Kerrie Stacks, Ellie Vest, Kim Yager, Vanessa Yearick  
TCIS Champions
VPL Championships: 5th place
VISAA State Tournament: 9th place
TCIS Field MVP: John Grunwald '24
TCIS Overall MVP: John Grunwald '24
School Records: Dylan Defoor '24 (55M, 300M), Zahir Griffith '24 (long jump)
Running Most Valuable Player: Dylan Defoor '24
Field Most Valuable Player: John Grunwald '24
Ken Lampert Award: Tommy Tan '24

Varsity Girls Swimming and Diving

Coaches: Kristen Kirkman, Keith Kopecky, Dan Garbutt, Mike Zmuda 
TCIS Champions
LIS Championships: 4th place
VISAA State Championships: 9th place
TCIS All-Conference: Sofia Kohler '25, Ella Stufflebeem '26, Caroline Willis '26, Maite Guzman '27
TCIS MVP: Sofia Kohler '25
TCIS Coach of the Year: Kristen Kirkman
VISAA All-State: Sofia Kohler '25
Swimming Most Valuable Player: Sofia Kohler '25
Diving Most Valuable Player: Lia Burr '25
Swimming Coaches Award: Carson Gaddy '26

Boys Basketball

Coaches: Eric Acra, Ari Zito, Bruce Rosenfeld, Morgan Wentz, Chris Williams
Overall record: 16-9
TCIS Tournament: Quarterfinals
1st Team All-TCIS: Dean Williams '27
Most Valuable Player: Dean Williams '27
Most Improved Player: Van Deans '24
David E. Trickler Award: Wyatt Janney '24

Girls Basketball

Coaches: Neil Duffy, Amanda Cheney, Olivia Fox
Overall record: 12-9
TCIS Tournament: Quarterfinals
TCIS Betty Jean Riddick Sportsmanship Award
1st Team All-TCIS: Lizzie Adams '24
2nd Team All-TCIS: Maria Delyannis '26
Most Valuable Player: Maria Delyannis '26
Coaches Award: Gretchen Scott '24