News and Announcements

The Washington Post reported on Monday, May 13, that Jillian Dunston ’14 has committed to University of Michigan and is a pending Wolverine women’s basketball player. Jillian is an Honorable Mention all-WCAC guard-forward. Read more about Jillian’s process to select Michigan in the Post here.

The Tartans have been busy this spring season!

Lacrosse:

The all WCAC Lacrosse teams were announced Monday, May 13. Congratulations to the following Tartans:  

First Team All WCAC Lacrosse 2013: 

Cristina McCarthy ’13, Attack
Delaney Muldoon ’15, Midfielder
Shannon Spellacy ’13, Defense

Second Team All WCAC Lacrosse 2013:

Logan Smet ’15, Attack
Courtney Lintner ’13, Midfield
Kristin Bengtson ’14, Midfield
Kristyn Gaines ’14, Defense

Honorable Mention All WCAC Lacrosse 2013:

Jaclyn Branthover ’15, Goalie
Julia Lucas ’14, Defense
Hayley Miller ’13, Attack
Kathleen Taylor ’15, Attack
Nicole Lantuh ’14, Attack

Track and Field:

The AHC track team ended their regular season on Saturday, May 4 on a high note with several school records falling at the Katie Jenkins track meet:

Caroline Clark ’13 - First Place 800M run and AHC record
Kiernan Keller ’15- First Place 1600M run and AHC record
Lauryn Perpal ’15 - Second Place 100M dash
4x4 relay of Perpall, Clark, Keller, and Julia Pitts ’16 – First Place
4x8 relay of Pitts, Rebecca Gardner ’15, Katherine Toner ’14, Julianne Hall ’14 – Third Place
Taylor Hagins ’15 set an AHC record in the shot put. 

Equestrian:

At the 2013 Interschool Horse Show Series the Varsity Equestrian team placed eleventh overall out of 40 schools. The JV team placed third overall out of 25 teams. 

Softball:

Tartan Softball players were selected to the 2013 All Conference Teams:  

All WCAC Second Team:

Allison Holmes ’14
Annalena Pirovic ’14 

Honorable Mention Team:

Lauren Athey ’14
Casey Magersupp ’16
Sofia Muzzatti ’16 

The Rugby team finished their regular season undefeated. Golf and Crew have not yet finished their seasons.

The Academy of the Holy Cross is proud to announce the inauguration of the Coach Sheahan Excellence Award, which was awarded to Carlise Cardoza ’14 on Friday, May 3. The award is named after Coach Bill Sheahan who coached the Academy’s basketball team to its 115-game winning streak and enjoyed a 27-year relationship with the Academy, and recognizes the values that he ascribed to in his own life and coaching style. The surprise award was presented in front of the entire school community during the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony.

To announce the formation of the award, Lisa Ridgway Slater ’82 gave background about the formation of the award, the incredible legacy left by Coach Sheahan, and the selection process for receiving the award. She also read the names of the 16 Class of 2014 nominees who were considered.

Afterwards, Brian Sheahan, Coach Sheahan’s son, read the qualities of the award recipient, Miss Cardoza. Her coaches and teammates refer to her as a “guiding light” in Christian values, leadership, integrity and commitment. She leads by example. She is honest, forthright, responsible, and, “at peace with herself, how she lives her life and the actions she takes.” Mr. Sheahan remarked that this quality was very similar to how he described his father. Finally, Miss Cardoza is described as someone who has God at the center of her life and otherwise exemplifies “true success” by the way she lives a Christ-centered life. The award included a $2,700 tuition scholarship as Coach Sheahan coached and taught basketball at Holy Cross for 27 years.

At the announcement of the recipient’s name, AHC students cheered uproariously for their classmate and were on their feet instantaneously. Fellow Tartans offered hugs and congratulations as Miss Cardoza was obviously moved by the surprise announcement.

The Coach Sheahan Excellence Award is presented to a rising Senior who demonstrates the following attributes:

• Christian Values
• Leadership
• Integrity
• Commitment

The award will be presented annually. Donations to the Coach Sheahan Excellence Award can be made online (make a gift now - click here) by including “Coach Sheahan Excellence Award Fund” in the comment section.

On Friday, May 3, AHC honored the 2013 inductees into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The celebration was originally scheduled in January, but was postponed because of the weather. This year, the Academy honored five alumnae, Patricia Marks Briscoe ’80, Elizabeth Cuddeback Glasgow ’80, Sharon Flaherty Jarosz ’77, Jane Triau McDonald ’79 and Sheila Flaherty Stepek ’79, who during their time at Holy Cross were named All-American swimmers. The ceremony took place at a school day assembly with students, faculty and staff. Family, friends and former classmates of the nominees also attended along with former swim coach (and former Faculty member) Barbara Hanrahan.

To be considered for the Athletic Hall of Fame, nominees must have demonstrated outstanding performance within The Academy of the Holy Cross’ athletic program. Alumnae nominees must have graduated from the Academy at least ten years prior to the year the athlete is nominated. Alumnae candidates must have received a diploma from Holy Cross if nominated for individual recognition. Coaches, members of the athletic department, or other athletic supporters who have provided exceptional service and commitment to The Academy of the Holy Cross’ athletic program may be eligible. Accomplishments after graduation will also be considered. The nominee must uphold the mission of the Academy, by being an individual of courage, compassion, and scholarship.

In 1973, the Holy Cross swim team was officially recognized as a member of the Washington Metropolitan Swim League. The team participated in six dual meets with 12 swimmers competing. By the 1978 season, under the leadership of Coach Hanrahan, the team had 14 girls who qualified for Metros. This Swim Team swam to the Catholic League Championship with an undefeated season. That year they also placed 7^th out of 71 teams at the East Carolina Invitational.

Championships continued to accumulate. Records were set and held for many years in medley and freestyle relays, 100 butterfly, 200 IM, 500 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Some have yet to be broken.

By the 1980 season, an article in the Washington Star stated, “Holy Cross team records usually are synonymous with Metro records and All-American qualifications.” The article continues, “Holy Cross long known for high quality swimmers, Patty Marks and Beth Cuddeback came onto a team as freshmen that boasted such nationally ranked talent as Sharon and Sheila Flaherty and Jane Triau.”

To be named an All-American swimmer is an outstanding accomplishment deserving of the highest honor. Swimmers from every high school in the United States are considered for this prestigious award. The Hall of Fame recipients knew one another before high school because they competed in the summer at their neighborhood swimming pools. Together they decided that it would be fun to swim on the same school team and chose The Academy of the Holy Cross.

In November 2012, six Seniors at the Academy signed National Letters of Intent to participate in NCAA Division I athletics during the 2013-2014 year in college. Three additional classmates have joined them. Aliya Roseborough ’13 will play Basketball at Marymount University, Gracie Schwell ’13 will play Ice Hockey at Plymouth State University, and Colleen Sullivan ’13 will play Field Hockey at Seton Hill University. These Tartans were recognized at a special assembly on Wednesday, March 13. Their proud parents and coaches attended the assembly. Their fellow athletes and classmates cheered as they were recognized for their accomplishments.

Rugby Practice: Canceled 2/26/13. A make-up practice will be held Thursday, Feb. 28th at the regular practice time.

Varsity Softball: 3:15pm - 4:15pm in the Gym  

JV Softball: 4:30pm - 5:30pm in the Auditorium 

All other practices & tryouts are on as scheduled. Please check the sport specific team pages for more detailed schedule information. 

On Wednesday, February 20, the Holy Cross community gathered to recognize the Winter sports teams at a fun Pep Rally assembly. The AHC Poms/Cheerleaders helped energize the crowd with several performances. Team captains/managers from each of the Varsity Winter sports teams gave a quick season review. Three AHC Faculty/Staff, who had been voted by students to dress in their wackiest “Tartan pride” outfits, premiered their getups. Two AHC faculty members competed in a shoot out with two members of the Varsity Ice Hockey team, and beat them by one goal.

 AHC’s Varsity Basketball team will meet Paul VI in the WCAC Quarterfinal game on Saturday, February 23 at 5:15 pm at Gonzaga High School. The Tartans are still basking in the glow of their big defeat over Good Counsel (60-55) on Friday, February 15. All are encouraged to come cheer the Tartans on to victory.

On Wednesday, February 13, AHC recognized the three Seniors on the Varsity Basketball team at the annual Senior Night. Players Janee Brown, Taylor McCarley and Aliya Roseborough and their parents were recognized in a pre-game ceremony. All three Seniors will be continue playing in college-- Janee will play at Robert Morris University, Taylor at University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Aliya will continue at Marymount University. Thanks to Donna Dunston, mom of Jillian '14, for the great photos, which can be found on the Varsity Basketball team page.

All spring sport athletes who need to take, or re-take, their ImPACT Concussion exam are expected to test prior to the start of the season. Athletes were informed at pre-registration if they needed to take the ImPACT exam prior to tryouts and their names are on a list in the computer lab on Friday, February 15.  Please be sure to bring all signed forms with you on the day of the test. Forms can be found on the Athletics website.

Testing will take place on Friday, February 15 from 2:45 - 3:30pm in the AHC Computer Lab.