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Try it, not tryouts. The North Cross School athletic program is based on the knowledge that a well-exercised, competitive young person can learn about himself or herself in the athletic arena in a way difficult to match in other areas of school life. The development of the complete person is the goal of both the faculty and the students at North Cross and that goal is enthusiastically pursued in our athletic program. We expect a lot from our students, in the classroom and on the field; and they deliver. In fact, this year, 22% of our seniors are committed to playing sports at the collegiate level when the national average is 6%. Schools like Emory, Haverford, and Hollins all look forward to what our students will contribute, in the game and in the classroom next year.
North Cross School is a charter member of both the Blue Ridge Conference (BRC) for our girls’ teams and the Virginia Independent Conference (VIC) for our boys’ teams at the JV and varsity levels. North Cross School is also a member of the Virginia Independent School Athletic Association (VISAA). VISAA is the state governing body for independent school athletics and sponsors all state playoffs for varsity sports. The program, given its small size, has quite an impressive history: 158 conference titles, and 16 state championships since it began competing in 1974. FallCROSS COUNTRY
Varsity and Middle School The sport of cross country has always been very popular at North Cross School, and the mountains of Roanoke offer a beautiful backdrop for distance running. During the season, the boys’ and girls’ teams normally compete in six to eight dual meets as well as two or three large invitational meets including Knights Crossing at Green Hill Park. We compete in the VIC championship as well as the state independent school championship at Fork Union Military Academy. All of our varsity competitions take place on a 5K course, but there are also “developmental” races for younger runners which take place on shorter 1.5–2 mile courses. The teams train both on campus and in several local venues including Fishburn Park, Washington Park, and on trails along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The hilly terrain in the Roanoke Valley makes for a great variety of training, and the North Cross home course is particularly challenging with its famous “Middle School Hill” coming just after the two mile mark. Co-ed Varsity (VCC) Edward Dickenson, Head Coach Lauren Horner, Assistant Coach BOYS FOOTBALL
The vision for the North Cross School football program is to create a winning program that prepares young men for the demands of life beyond of the realm of football. A North Cross football player should be supported athletically, academically, and emotionally in the football program. North Cross helps young people—on both our Middle and Upper School teams—reach their potential and achieve success in college and beyond. Our football program is a part of that process.
A North Cross football player should be a model citizen in the school community and a model student in the classroom. On the field, the North Cross football team must be fundamentally sound, well prepared, well conditioned, and confident. Finally, along with the life lessons learned and football games won, participation in the North Cross football program must be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for all of those who brave its demands. Varsity Coaches Stephen Alexander, Head Coach salexander@northcross.org Shannon Taylor, Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers Coach staylor@northcross.org Aaron Jones, Assistant Coach Jerome Mann, Defensive Secondary Coach Derrick Ruben, Defensive Line Coach Dwayne Priest, Running Backs Coach Brandon Washington, Wide Receivers Coach Middle School Coach Alex Hash, Head Coach ahash@northcross.org Jason England, Assistant Coach Brian Cann, Assistant Coach John Ratliff, Assistant Coach Boys soccer
Boys Varsity
James Brown, Head Coach Chris Pollock, Assistant Coach Follow the team on Twitter: @ncssoccer The North Cross men’s soccer program was organized under the direction of Richard Cook in 1972. In his 36 years as the varsity coach, Cook compiled a 458-112-51 record, winning 18 Virginia Independent Conference championships and the 2007 VISAA state championship. Current varsity coach James Brown joined Coach Cook’s staff as an assistant in the spring of 2005. Brown, a former player at Roanoke College, assumed the head coaching responsibilities in the fall of 2008. Brown also assisted both the men’s and women’s programs for the Maroons before coming to teach in the middle school at North Cross. North Cross has a rich soccer tradition in the Roanoke Valley. Players are encouraged to play as much as possible and to attend camps around the state and country. Several team members have been recognized by the Roanoke Times as “Timesland Players of the Year” and additionally to the “All-Timesland Team.” The soccer program also boasts a record number of players who have played at the collegiate and professional levels after high school. Boys Middle School Ryan Cook, Head Coach Jaime Dooley ’15, Assistant Coach The Middle School Soccer program has three priorities: to ensure that all the players have a fulfilling experience as soccer players and teammates, to ensure that all the players gain new skills and experience in order to become valuable members of the varsity squad in later years, and to gain victories on the soccer field. Practices emphasize passing and smart play, like good positioning and being vocal on the field. Respect for teammates, the coach, and officials will be stressed. Complaining, disrespect, lack of encouragement to others or failing to have a sense of humor about mistakes will not be tolerated. Hard work and pushing one's self on the field will be encouraged and praised. Girls field hockey
North Cross School is the only secondary school in the Roanoke Valley to offer field hockey to its upper and middle school girls. The program consists of a varsity and a junior varsity team who compete in the Blue Ridge Conference. The varsity season concludes with a conference tournament which North Cross has won six times. Additionally the teams travel to Richmond, Charlottesville, and cities in North Carolina competing against state-ranked opponents. Regardless of the challenging schedule, the athletes focus on developing hockey skills and playing together as a team. They are encouraged to attend summer camps and to play in the Virginia Commonwealth Games.
Coaches (Varsity and Middle School) Lilly Judge O'Brien, Head Coach Mary Semler, Assistant Coach, Varsity; Head Coach, Middle School GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Girls Varsity, JV
Traditionally the teams are not as tall as the competition and take pride in being very tenacious, defensive teams. Passing and serving skills are stressed at all levels of competition. Focus is on “team play” and developing the ability to play as a unit. Players are encouraged to attend volleyball camps offered during the summer on the North Cross School campus or elsewhere. Ten schools in the Blue Ridge Conference offer multiple levels of volleyball. In addition to competition with the BRC schools, the junior varsity and varsity teams compete against several local public schools. The varsity team participates in the North Cross School Invitational tournament each fall which includes, in addition to North Cross, seven independent schools from all over the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2016 the team won their first BRC Conference since 1994. Coaches Terri Craig, Head Coach, Varsity tcraig@northcross.org Hannah Emerson, Assistant Coach, Varsity; Head Coach, Middle School TENNIS
The North Cross School Girls Varsity Tennis team plays in the Fall as does the Co-Ed Middle School Tennis Team, now in its third season. The Varsity team consistently wins the Blue Ridge Conference and were VISAA State Champions in 2016 and 2017. They play conference and non-conference matches throughout the season. Some of the non-conference matches include local public schools and private schools who play their season in the fall. Co-ed Middle School Tennis is available for students in grades six though eight. The team plays in the Roanoke Valley Tennis Association's City Middle School Tennis League and have been league champions two years running. Amy Bagliani, Head Coach, Varsity abagliani@northcross.org Angie Link and Amy Cullen, Assistant Coaches, Varsity Tracy Schaefer, Head Coach, Middle School tschaefer@northcross.org Jennie Vogel, Assistant Coach, Middle School WinterBasketball
North Cross School has four levels of boys basketball and two of girls. Coaches at each level are committed to teaching the players the importance of working hard to improve their individual skills, and all players are given the opportunity to play, regardless of their specific level of talent. Sportsmanship is also emphasized as a integral part of being on the team. Coaches Shannon Taylor, Head Coach, Boys Varsity Randy Burch, Assistant Coach, Boys Varsity; Head Coach, Boys JV Red Scott Wilde, Head Coach, Boys JV White Tyke Campbell, Head Coach, Boys Middle School Red Melvin Brickhouse, Head Coach, Boys Middle School White James Brown, Head Coach, Girls Varsity Mike Jensen, Assistant Coach, Girls Varsity Mary Semler, Head Coach, Middle School Girls Jamie Helmer, Assistant Coach, Middle School Girls Swimming
The Varsity Swim Team at North Cross has enjoyed unparalleled success winning 13 VIC Championships and six BRC Championships; the last two years the boys were the VISAA State Championship DII Runners Up, and the Girls were the 2018 BRC Champions. Many of the teams' swimmers have gone on to place in competitions at the state level—swimmers have accumulated more than 20 state titles. The team trains and competes at the Carter Athletic Center (CAC), on the North Cross School campus, in a six-lane 25-yard championship caliber swimming facility. The CAC hosts several swim meets each season against both schools in our conferences and the top public schools in the Roanoke Valley. Swimming also has a Middle School team who competes. Coaches Jon Sirko, Head Coach, Varsity Kirsten Erwin, Assistant Coach, Varsity; Head Coach, Middle School WRESTLING
Last year, Boys Wrestling returned to North Cross with three in number but dedicated, nonetheless. The boys were willing to wrestle in different weight classes, and use the season as a stepping stone to what hopes to be a larger team this year. Due to fluctuating interest, the team's feasibility is dependent on numbers each year. Jason England, Head Coach SpringBOYS BASEBALL
The Baseball program is dedicated to providing the student/athlete at North Cross School an opportunity for personal growth in a team atmosphere. The team competes as a consistent force among the twelve teams in the Virginia Independent Conference. The baseball program promotes a strong competitive spirit in a positive team environment. Players are drilled in the fundamentals of the game in order to achieve the highest level of high school play. The coaching staff stresses the value of developing quality individuals where strong character, honoring all aspects of the game, and maximum effort are the constant goals.
Coach Eric Lawrence has been coaching since 1989. As head coach of the Raiders he has maintained a winning percentage of .700 in the Virginia Independent Conference. Dave Dickerson has been coaching since 2001 (a former second baseman at King College) and is the father of former North Cross baseball standout, Wes Dickerson. The North Cross Raiders play their home games on campus at Porterfield Ballpark. Varsity Coaches Eric Lawrence, Head Coach Dave Dickerson, Assistant Coach Scott Smith, Assistant Coach Befreido Barros, Assistant Coach Middle School Coach Ray Martin, Head Coach Boys lacrosse
The Boys Lacrosse teams at North Cross play in the spring and have both a Middle and Upper School team. This spring, the Varsity team holds the title for the Division 2 VISAA State Champions. The team also competes in the VIC Conference. Follow the team on Twitter: @OfficialNCSLax
Varsity Coach Chris Pollock, Head Coach Middle School Coach Ryan Dent '15, Head Coach BOYS TENNIS
Girls lacrosse
Girls soccer
North Cross School was one of the first four schools in the Roanoke Valley to play girls varsity soccer, and over the years has seen the popularity of soccer explode. The girls play in the Blue Ridge Conference which consists of 12 teams. Several public schools are also included in the schedule. The team was established in 1990 and since then, the team has won eight conference championships.
The North Cross School girls middle school soccer team works closely with the varsity team, focusing on improving soccer skills and teamwork. All students with an interest in soccer are welcomed into the program, regardless of athletic experience or background. Varsity Coaches James Brown, Head Coach Luke Carter, Assistant Coach Follow the team on Twitter: @ncssoccer Middle School Coaches Ryan Cook, Head Coach Logan Bane, Assistant Coach Golf
The North Cross School golf program aims to allow male and female students to learn and further their golf skills/game in a non-competitive environment. Students, regardless of ability level, are welcome to join the team. In the match play component of our season, the best golfers will qualify to compete against other teams. The program aims to introduce the game to students so they may enjoy the sport for a lifetime. Scott Wilde, Head Coach TRACK - NEW FOR 2018!
For the first time, and without a formal track to practice on, the North Cross running program begins a new chapter in their storied history. The team will practice daily on campus during the week and compete against area track teams with scheduled weekend practices on tracks to refine their skills and strategy. We can't wait to see what this team has in store! Watch a video from Coach Dickenson on why track, why now? Edward Dickenson, Head Coach Lauren Horner, Assistant Coach |
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