Boys’ Basketball

The Fluco boys varsity basketball team has already surpassed their win total from last season, compiling six victories so far to achieve an overall record of 6-11. The Flucos will be coached this year by P.E. teacher and former JV coach Heath Bralley. On Dec. 10, Fluvanna hosted Monroe County and beat the 10-7 Dragons by a score of 50-37. More recently, on Jan. 28, the Flucos were defeated by the Albemarle Patriots by a small margin of seven points. 

Despite the loss, however, junior John Boy Rittenhouse maintained a positive outlook on the season. “We’re only losing by five or six. We’re in every game and we almost have it all put together,” he said. The team is 5-4 at home this season, affirming the idea of a home field, or rather, home court advantage. Up next for the Flucos is a home game against the Charlottesville Black Knights on Feb. 4. 

Meanwhile, the JV boys have gotten off to a fiery start, amassing a record of 15-5 through their first 20 games. The team will be commanded this season by environmental science teacher, Wiley House.  This is also the first year in Fluvanna JV history in which the Flucos have beaten both Albemarle and Western Albemarle. “We are doing good. A lot of people are learning and preparing themselves for varsity,” said sophomore Tevarious Gardner. 

Girls Basketball 

Girls varsity basketball has seen another winning season so far this year, sitting at a solid 11-9 as they eye the postseason. Fluvanna will play this season with Coach Chad White at the helm again, after multiple consecutive winning seasons.  The Lady Flucos have affirmed their ability to score this year, beating Orange County by a whopping 72-22. Senior Nevaeh Ivory had 23 points against the Hornets, boosting her that much closer to becoming the all-time scoring leader in Fluvanna women’s basketball history. 

The Flucos have had their fair share of deterrents this year, despite maintaining a record above .500. “We’ve had a rough patch with sicknesses and key players getting hurt, but we’re getting back into it,” said senior Jules Shephard. The Lady Flucos will travel to Charlottesville on Feb. 4 for an intra-district matchup. 

As for JV, they have not had the season that they were hoping for. Despite their 5-13 record, however, they’re focused on the bright spots throughout the season, one being their game against Orange County in which they traveled to the Hornet’s nest and beat them in overtime by a score of 28-26. Regardless of their less than average record this season, the future appears prosperous for Lady Flucos basketball. The varsity team will look to freshmen Zinnia Madrid and Asiana Hawkins, as well as sophomore Jaylan Booker, who all excelled at the JV level. The JV Lady Flucos will be coached by Jamie Stafford this winter season. 

Wrestling

The Flucos have looked impressive in all areas this season, growing closer as a team in the process. Jordan Divine and Michael Gore will remain the coaches this season, following multiple successful seasonsFluvanna hosted the annual Billy Wensel Classic on Jan. 21, finishing narrowly in 2nd place behind FUMA. The team dominated their first match of the tournament against the Chancellor Chargers, winning by a jaw-dropping score of 75-0. “Placing 2nd at our home tournament was huge for us. I think it gave us the boost to be able to compete the way we are now,” said junior Shawn Metcalf. 

Alongside numerous team accomplishments, individual wrestlers have shone bright for the Flucos this year. Junior Hollyn Pleasants and her teammate, sophomore Nora Wells, both recorded the first pins of their careers, while junior Jason Hampshar earned his first pin as well. He is also one of four Flucos with at least 20 wins this season. The next match for the Flucos will take place at home on Feb. 5.  

Swim and Dive

Fluvanna swim and dive team has made waves this season, proving that they cannot only compete, but win. On Jan. 18, the swim team placed first at the 2020 FUMA Invitational against seven other schools. Senior Emma Difazio excelled, scoring 37 points for the team, en route to a 1st place finish in the 100 meter back. On Jan. 31 at the district meet, the Flucos performed impressively, with the girls swim team finishing 2nd and the boys finishing 3rd. A relay team consisting of senior Connor Bridge, sophomore Gus Jones, and juniors Owen and Hunter Strickland qualified for the state meet. “As a whole, I think the team has been doing well. Everyone has given it their all and it’s going pretty great,” said Bridge. The head coach of the Fluco swim team this season is English teacher Sarah Stewart. 

Indoor Track

The 2020 season for indoor track has been nothing short of phenomenal. The Flucos will be sending the girls 4×400 and girls 4×800 relay teams, as well as the boys 4×800 relay team to the state meet. “All in all, everyone has put in great amounts of hard work and I’m very excited for the postseason,” said senior Hattie Linecum. 

Young stars have begun to emerge for the Flucos this season, with freshman Jaden Ferguson leading the charge. Ferguson holds the season best mark of 6-0 for high jump and 41-7.25 on triple jump. On the girls side, freshman Evelyn Demers holds the Flucos season record for the 500m with a time of 1:24.48. Members of the squad this year are optimistic and proud of their showing this season.  “Last year was upsetting because we placed second in the region and district behind teams that we should’ve beaten. However, this year we looked more filled out in different events,” said junior Rocco Calderone. 

The girls’ team will be coached by Science teacher Rose Brogan, while the boys’ team will be led by football coach and P.E. teacher Steven Szarmach. Fluvanna will head across town to FUMA for the District Meet on Feb. 5. 

Speech and Debate

As has been the case the last five years under Coach Craig Edgerton, Speech and Debate has enjoyed a tremendous Winter Season, accentuated by numerous individual victories. This year, the team has added a solid presence in the Debate category as well, under Coach Luke Divine. While at the William Monroe High School CFL tournament, Fluvanna’s Maddie Scopellitti and Delaney Hammond finished in first place under the category of Duo performance, while juniors Nika Ackenbom and Sommerville Munt come out on top in Public Forum debate. 

At the Shenandoah Valley Tournament of Champions at Fort Defiance High School on Jan. 25. seniors Alex Pellicane and Conner Bridge finished first respectively in Extemp and Hilarious Interpretation, while juniors Simon Skinner and Ally Hanson won in the category of Serious Duo. “I think we have really smart people and good speakers on both speech and debate,” said Junior Nika Ackenbom when asked about the team as a whole. The team’s next tournament is Regionals at Turner Ashby on Feb. 15.

Scholastic Bowl (ACE team)

Under the direction of Coach Luke Divine, the Fluvanna Ace team won two out of their three competitions this year, a record which was not quite enough to put them into Regionals. Although their season was cut short, senior Alex Lee remained positive and focused on what she enjoys about being apart of the team. “Overall, it’s just a good time. You answer trivia and hope you get it right. Not to mention, most of us were friends beforehand and we enjoy being with each other,” said Lee.