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When I met with Coach Kiwii over the summer, I asked her what goals she had for the season. "That's up to my players," she told me. "We'll see what kind of team they want to be."  Once the ball was tossed into the air for the first serve of the season, we knew exactly what team they would be! This group of Badgers plays with an enormous level of talent and teamwork, matched only by their determination and grit. When Monticello arrived for the battle of Mill Creek, the Badger Den was jam packed - and Tandem played their hearts out, pushing our much larger neighbor to five very close sets. The next day in practice, the team made a declaration: we want to play in the 2024 VISAA State Tournament!

 

Tonight, the Badgers realized their goal - taking the floor against top seeded (28-1-1) Timberlake Christian, and giving their opponent all they could handle.  How did they do it?  Tandem dominated the early portion of their schedule - beating Quantico and Wakefield 3-1. Then the team really hit their stride, with 3-0 wins against RMA, WCDS, Foxcroft and Wakefield, amassing an unprecedented 20 consecutive victorious sets in a row!! These matches were not close either, with Tandem holding their opponents to single digit point totals in each set!

 

Hungry for a challenge, the Badgers travelled to play a tough Eastern Mennonite team on the road. At the time, EMS was ranked ahead of Tandem in the standings, but the Badgers beat them 3-1!  When Maggie's ace marked the ending of the match, Tandem began their final push to accomplish their goal, moving from #10 to #9 in the rankings.  Later that week, the Badgers beat KAA at home 3-1 and Quantico 3-0, before dominating cross-town rival Miller on Senior Night! What a week!

 

With their bid to states still up in the air, this team gave it their all for a stretch that included 4 games in 5 days, and the GPAC Tournament, in which Tandem finished 2nd. By that point, it became clear, the Badgers had moved from 9th to  8th - earning an opportunity to fulfill their goal and play in the Virginia state tournament!

Today was not a windy day, but leaves fluttered in his wake as Hayes ran by, swirling momentarily before settling back down. His footsteps were quick and light, yet each one seemed to stir the stillness around him, as if he carried a silent energy that rippled through the course. The trees stood motionless, their branches barely moving, yet the crowd could feel a powerful breeze as Hayes sped past.  

 

Throughout the season, several runners have made the mistake of challenging Hayes in the final stretch of a race. In the Tandem Two Mile, STAB's 2023 Individual State Champion gave a valiant effort, but Hayes did what he always does: he ran a super fast, smart, tactical race - leaving STAB in the dust. A few weeks later, at the VTCA Invitational, Hayes approached the finish with a pack of Central Virginia's top runners. He timed his move perfectly and as he flew up the final hill and toward the finish line, his competition faded and Hayes was all alone as he broke the tape.

 

Today, on the biggest stage Virginia Cross Country has to offer, the GPAC Runner of the Year was locked on his competition. Hayes spent ninety percent of the race with Wakefield's Curtis Leachman, one of the top runners in the state. As they approached the final turn, Hayes conserved his energy, waiting a moment before making his move on the incline. Curtis surged slightly ahead, breathing heavily as Hayes kept a steady pace and a calm mindset. He knew the incline would sap the strength of the competition.  

 

As Hayes neared the finish, he felt his legs surge with energy. NOW! He leaned forward, digging his feet into the ground, propelling himself with an intensity that elite athletes reserve for state championships. He and Curtis were neck and neck as Hayes grew stronger with each step. With thirty meters to go, his competition stumbled and broke their form - meanwhile Hayes was just hitting stride to the tune of FIRST PLACE OVERALL, making him the INDIVIDUAL VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPION with an incredible time of 16:13! 

What a week for the Tandem Badgers! Varsity volleyball hosted and won the GPAC tournament quarterfinal and semifinal matches this week, taking down King Abdullah. They are at Highland, taking on Highland for the tourney championship this afternoon. Currently ranked #8 in the state in their division, they find out on Sunday if they play in the state tournament next week. The varsity cross country team hosted the GPAC championship meet Tuesday - the boys easily won by 20 points to defend last year's title and our girls team came in second. There were personal records galore, with Tandem boys Hayes, Jack and Miles coming in 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall, and Lucy and Claire coming in 3rd and 4th overall. 

All-Conference honors were announced this week as well. In cross country, sophomore Hayes was named GPAC Runner of the Year. Four boys and four girls each made the All-Conference Team by placing in the top ten at the meet: for the boys, sophomores Hayes, Miles and Peter, and junior Jack; for the girls, junior Claire, sophomore Lucy, 9th grader Hazel and 8th grader Eloise. In volleyball, seniors Chloe B and Maggie W made 1st Team; senior Tessa D made 2nd Team; junior Sofia S received Honorable Mention. Way to go, Badgers!

Read more about this week's matchups below and watch for details about state play next week!

Cross Country - 10/30/24

 

Running as an elite unit, three Tandem Badgers crested the top of the hill with ease. Out of one eye, I watched them round the corner along the tree line and head for the finish. Out of the other eye, I looked for an opposing runner. There were none to be found.  Hayes dominated today's GPAC Cross Country Championships. The GPAC Runner of the Year, Hayes won for the second consecutive time on his home course, completing the 5K race in a time of 16:57 - nearly a minute faster than he ran in September.  His talent is second only to his leadership, and Hayes used this opportunity to work together with his teammates to best position them for success. Jack Blemker was second overall - his time of 17:12 was over a minute faster than his last race on the same course. Miles has taken his game to another level entirely. On September 19th, he ran 18:25 - today was 17:21 - a minute course PR and 40 seconds faster than his time at Panorama Farms.  This trio came across the line 1st, 2nd and 3rd, guiding Tandem to a well deserved conference championship.

 

 

It was an incredible week for Tandem Athletics! The Varsity Soccer season ended on the road with an exciting 5-4 battle at Fishburne. Congratulations to the team on a great season! We celebrated Aiden, our lone senior, with a MS/US Scrimmage on Thursday. Volleyball has continued their hot stretch, winning 5 in a row - they won 3-1 over Miller on Thursday - an awesome way to celebrate Senior Night! The GPAC Playoffs are next week - Volleyball hosts at home on Tuesday and Cross Country will host at Darden Towe on Wednesday. Hope to see you there!

Varsity Volleyball Senior Night Game is One to Remember - 10/25/24
It is rare to be in the presence of true greatness, so when you are, it is important to acknowledge how special the circumstances are. Tonight, on Senior Night, Tandem spirit and pride was at an all time high. The Badger Dome was as loud as it's ever been. The student section, in full black out attire, did not sit down for one minute - screaming at full throttle and cheering with all their might.  Tandem Families were on the edge of their seats, supporting the Badgers during every serve, rally or kill. Above the bench, six beautiful posters, illustrated by the sophomores and juniors, hung as a tribute to our extraordinary senior class. The class of 2025 has been tremendous throughout their entire Tandem career. Tonight, in their final regular season game on their home floor, they rose to the occasion - shining a light that reflected back in all of us. See the volleyball program honoring our seniors here. Read more about this game and other games this week below.

The Badgers opened the season scoring seven goals on the road with a massive win (seven goals) at Grymes! That set the tone for what has been an amazing season under the guidance of Coaches Lauren and Tony.  The Badgers started with a flurry of goals and wins - and then kept their focus despite a rainy midseason stretch.  When they returned to action, the team took on Waldorf and won easily. The signature of this team has been their incredible passing - starting with Levie and Peter's efforts in the goal, the Badgers have moved the ball up the field with great spacing and precision.  

Steep and difficult, the mile mark at the Darden Towe Cross Country Course presents a serious challenge to runners as they approach. That did not stop Tandem from flying at full speed!  The Badgers have been training hard with Coaches Melissa and Casey for weeks on significant inclines!  As a result, the team was well prepared for the first competition on Thursday afternoon!  Over fifteen teams toed the line at the Charlottesville Catholic Cross Country Invitational, and as the whistle sounded to begin the race, it was clear that Tandem was up to the task.

Pushed to their limits, the Badgers trailed for much of the third set. Foxcroft had been getting hammered by vicious Tandem hitters early in the match, so they focused on blocking at the net. Foxcroft had some success with this strategy, leading 11-7, and Tandem called timeout.  From then on, the Badgers were in attack mode, focused on closing out today's game with a 3-0 sweep!  In need of some magic, down 21-20, Tessa delivered a massive cross court, and the ball was back in Sofia's hands.  With a tricky left handed spin, Sofia delivered a sequence of aces, each more difficult than last to return.  She was responsible for the last five points, including a massive slam from Mary in the middle of the net.  The Badgers clinched the final set, 25-21, their 18th in a row!

 

 

While the weather kept our soccer players off their playing surface, the action in the Badger Den was very exciting. Varsity Volleyball has now won 6 straight matches and 12 straight sets, including a 3-0 victory against RMA on their home floor this week.  Middle School Volleyball played an exciting match against Charlottesville Day School on Tuesday. They have improved dramatically over the course of the season. Fingers crossed for warm weather and sunshine next week!

Varsity Volleyball Takes Down RMA 3-0 - 9/25/24

 

This week featured a big win for MS Volleyball over Covenant, Varsity Volleyball dominated Wakefield Country Day School, and Varsity XC won the GPAC opener at Darden Towe.

Varsity XC Dominates GPAC Season Opener

On Tuesday, September 17, Charlottesville weather called for rain. Yes - perfect Cross Country weather!  The Badgers enthusiasm was palpable, but Albemarle Parks had other plans and cancelled the meet. But did we cancel practice? NO! The Tandem Cross Country team took this opportunity to fly through the neighborhoods, crushing a difficult tempo workout, enjoying a downpour of rain - the best Mother Nature had to offer.

On Wednesday, September 18, Mother Nature continued to provide "real" Cross Country weather.  So the Badgers ran in the rain again, this time a shake out to prepare for their opening GPAC meet. Every runner was soaking wet only a few minutes in, building toughness and character that will last the entire season.  Julia ran like a lightning bolt because she "just wanted it to be over" - her pace and stride length increasing as she flew down Tandem Lane.

 

On Thursday, September 19 the rain finally stopped. Darn! Replaced with heat and humidity, the Tandem Badgers had another challenge ahead of them as they opened the GPAC season with strength and composure. As soon as the gun went off, Tandem moved into position, prepared to defend their GPAC title. 

I am pleased to announce that Tandem Athletics has broken through to the NATIONAL LEVEL! 9th grader Hayes B has had a legendary season. At the Dogwood Invitational, he ran a 9:55 3200m and at the VISAA State Championships he ran 4:33 in the mile for a 5th place finish! Hayes’s 9:55 and 4:33 hit the provisional marks for NEW BALANCE NATIONALS in the freshman section and his 4:33 hits the automatic qualifying standard for NIKE NATIONALS for freshmen! Congrats to Hayes B, Coach Jason Farr, and Coach Ned Fischer!!!