Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks and Bedford County has had plenty of performances in 2023 that should leave the town feeling thankful. Whether it be incredible runs in 5ks, state championships, regional championships, etc. there has been plenty of excitement in the area this year that gives plenty of optimism about 2024.
This spring several teams stood out amongst the crowd and gave spectators plenty of reason to be appreciative of their attendance. The Staunton River women’s softball team had an outstanding run filled with ups and downs, but mostly ups. They successfully followed up their successful 2022 campaign with yet another in 2023. The squad finished 18-5 and if it was not for a team that would eventually go onto the championship game, we could be talking about them as the champions of the diamond. Stars like Emma Wood and now graduated players Ally Jones and Ally Davidson helped lead the team. Unfortunately, with several players gone, senior Emma Wood will be asked to do plenty in 2024 if the Golden Eagles have hopes of repeating the offensive and defensive dominance they displayed this year.
Jefferson Forest gave fans quite a show on the turf this spring. Whether it was girls soccer or guys soccer, people that attended knew they were in for a great matchup. The girls team showcased their dominance early and never let up. Star Izzy Wedemeyer helped lead the team to a stellar 13-3-2 record. It was not until a tough Western Albemarle team stepped onto the field that the Cavaliers began to have issues. However, the struggles were expected considering Western Albemarle was a top one hundred team in the country. The guys enjoyed similar success in 2023. They completely dominated the entire landscape showing off a very impressive 18-2 record when it was all said and done. Despite losing their first contest of the season, they bounced back in a major way and won the next eighteen games. One win in particular, against Blacksburg, saw the Cavaliers posing with hardware following the game. The 2023 Jefferson Forest men’s soccer team won the regional championship and made it all the way to the state semi-finals where they unfortunately lost to Jamestown. While they did lose several seniors, they should be right in the thick of things again in several months.
This fall has been highlighted by three teams that came out of nowhere and dominated the landscape. Jefferson Forest’s football program completed a miraculous three-hundred and sixty degree turn from their 2022 performance. They took a 4-6 record and converted it into a masterful 9-0 perfect start this fall. It was not until the very end of the regular season that Liberty Christian Academy gave them their only taste so far of defeat. Now poised to make a deep run in the playoffs only time will tell how far this team will go.
Jefferson Forest’s golf team made tons of noise this fall. It was not until late in the season that they lost a matchup. Week after week, month after month, Cavaliers continued to dominate with the leadership of Blake Hogan, Gage Hogan, and others. At one point in time their record was fifty-six wins to zero losses. The season was absolutely incredible and should be noticed. Golf does not always get tons of recognition, but in order to dominate the way the Cavs did, one has to work insanely hard.
Finally, anyone that is a fan of the Minutemen should be super thankful for the women’s cross country team who not only dominated in the state championship; they took the trophy with them. The girls placed multiple girls inside the top twenty-five% of competitors to win the event. The championship brings happiness to a school that has had a rough go of things this calendar year. With not many athletes leaving, perhaps they will not be done bringing home hardware yet.
Thanksgiving is a time for being thankful. While sports is not the most important thing in the world, for plenty of high school athletes the accomplishments this year was something to truly be grateful for. Hopefully 2024 will be equally as fulfilling as this year. Happy Thanksgiving!
