Tandem Friends School Team Detail

This Week in Sports - Week #32

4/16/2025

Dave Levy, Athletic Director

Our track team has had a very busy week, with a highly successful meet on Saturday at the Gus Lacy Invitational, one at Monticello high School and a meet at Woodberry Forest School (see details below) - notably Hayes B set a new school record (9:43 in the 3200), and we had an epic throwers relay. The Lacrosse team plays today at CHS at 5:30pm.

Patience and Consistency Leads to Outstanding Track and Field Performances!

You have to experience success in order to gain confidence. Fresh off his state-qualifying performance in the 1600 Meters at Monticello, and with the wind at his back, Miles confidently went right to the front of the 3200 Meters at Woodberry. He led the first quarter mile, before dropping back behind the leaders. Miles let his competition set the pace, and forced them to break the wind. He sat right on their shoulders - patiently waiting for the right time to make his move. His pack of four runners came through the mile in a blazing 5:16, and then Miles got faster. Some of his competition dropped off - Miles was calm and in control of his stride. Hayes, shouting words of encouragement on the backstretch, told me that he knew Miles would win. His words proved to be prophetic. With a lap to go, Miles picked up speed. He went from third to first, and it wasn't close, because he ran his last 400 meters in :67 seconds, and his last mile in 5:04! Miles' first place, a new PR and an epic kick highlighted a special day for the Tandem Track and Field team tonight! The 3200 Meters also featured new PR's for Peter W (11:21), Will (12:08), Eloise (13:34) and Sadie (15:06!).

Alexander blitzed off the line as he started his 400 meter race! What seemed like just a moment later, as he rounded the final curve, there was nobody between Alexander and the finish line! Alexander won his heat of the 400 meters in a new PR time of 1:01 - with Van also earning a two second PR of 1:02! They finished 1st and 2nd in their heat! Sean (1:15) and Lennon (1:16) made their debuts in the event! Fletcher ran the 400 for the first time this season, finishing in 1:18, while Dhruvi earned a PR for the second day in a row - 1:22!

Riley and Muriel placed first and second in their heat of the 100 meters! Maeve (16.25), Riley (16.44) and Muriel (17.08) all ran the 100 for the first time this season - and what a success! On the boys side, Nari is back! He shot out of the blocks and finished in a rocket fast time of 12.55, while Aiden ran a new PR of 12.51! Eli (13.5) made his debut in the event and Nico (14.3) dropped a full second off his previous best! In the 200, our four Badgers finished within one second of one another. Aiden (25.7), Nari (26.1), Ian (26'4") and Rey 26'9" all competed at a high level against tough competition! On the girls side, it was Victoria's new PR of :40 (her fastest pace yet!), while Maeve earned a new PR of 34.6 with Ana close behind in 35.4!

This Week in Sports - Week #31

4/10/2025

Dave Levy, Athletic Director

You might recall the howling winds and bitter cold on December 4th. Most folks arrived at school in heavy coats, gloves, scarves and hats - and shivered when it was time to go outside to get to their next class. Only four degrees, it was not a day that the average athlete was outside training...despite the weather, the lobby of the field house was buzzing with bundled up Tandem runners - and then off they went in large groups into the dreary, cold Charlottesville darkness. Cross Country ended in early November - but our athletes are so committed to their craft that they kept showing up. Our distance runners logged heavy mileage, while the sprinters worked on technique and power. By the time the first official practice came around, our athletes were in midseason form - they have been locked in to their training - and it paid off at Woodberry on Friday afternoon!

The 25-26 Tandem Track and Field team has excellent leadership - seniors who have been on the team for many years and lots of athletes that are brand new to the sport. Ana is one of many athletes taking on Track and Field for the first time. For the past month, she has been learning throwing technique, working on her strength and speed while also perfecting her release. With confidence, she stepped into the Woodberry throwing circle, took a deep breath, and pulled the discus behind her. Rearing back, she let the discus fly - high and far into the distance. Ana's throw traveled 37'7" - a new personal record for her and also a Tandem School Record! Congratulations, Ana - way to hit the ground running!

It was quite a day for the Badger throwers! Toby increased his Shot Put PR by over three feet - his new mark of 25'11.5" is a tribute to his work ethic! Levie (25'8"), Henry (25'1.25"), Ian (23'7.75") and Alex (21'3.5") all established new PR's as well!

This Week in Sports - Week #30

3/28/2025

Dave Levy, Athletic Director

The Badgers head into Spring Break with a successful start to the season - Varsity Soccer had big wins on the road and at home, Middle School Soccer is 1-1-1, Lacrosse is off to an impressive 3-1 record and Ultimate and Track and Field are both competing today, with Ultimate playing at Darden Towe Park and the Track and Field team at nearby Woodberry Forest School.

This Week in Sports - Week #29

3/21/2025

Dave Levy, Athletic Director

Spring Sports are off to an awesome start! Lacrosse is now 3-0, with big wins this week over CHS and AHS! Girls Varsity Soccer won a 1-0 thriller against Quantico, and MS Soccer is also undefeated at 1-0-1.

Girls Varsity Soccer Wins on the Road!

Tessa has spent the last seven months working on her Senior Project. As a youth soccer coach, she has done extensive research on the beautiful game - focusing on the best way to give feedback, the most effective drills and the best in-game strategies. She spent much of the fall and winter coaching a U15 soccer team. When the season began, I asked her if "Tessa Time" would be making a return for the spring. For those unfamiliar, "Tessa Time" occurs when Tessa gets into a zone - and dominates the game. For example, 15 consecutive service aces in volleyball or 5 consecutive baskets in basketball (both of which actually happened).

The Badgers led 2-1 at halftime in a hard-fought, competitive game on the road - far away at King Abdullah Academy. Seeking a change in momentum, Coach Nemanja inserted Kaylee, Madeline and Bella into the lineup. They chased King Abdullah's striker, forcing her into the middle of the field, where Lili came way out of her position in the goal and kicked the ball back to midfield! Elisabeth made a smooth pass off one touch to Golden, who alertly played the ball ahead to Tessa. With nothing but green grass in front of her, Tessa got into the box, was one on one with the goalie, and fired a laser into the corner of the net!

This Week in Sports - Week #28

3/15/2025

Dave Levy, Athletic Director

Congratulations to varsity boys basketball player Sean T, a junior, who was named to VISAA's All-State First Team this week. Way to go, Sean! Sean's honor was announced during the varsity team's evening banquet held on Wednesday night. At the banquet, the coaches, players and player families celebrated season highlights and outcomes, and each player received an award from the coaches (ranging from Rookie of the Year to Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year, and so many more). It was a great finale to a phenomenal season for this team! Check out some photos.

Spring season is officially underway, as games began this week on our fields and on the road. The varsity girls soccer team led off with an away matchup on Wednesday, followed by Middle School girls at home last night. Three teams (varsity LAX, varsity girls soccer and Ultimate Frisbee) are on the road playing today. Go, Badgers!!

Defensive-Minded Badgers Win Their Home Opener!

With two weeks of skill building and conditioning behind them, the Middle School Girls Badgers took the field for the first time this afternoon. Cypress, Aggie, Clara, Emma, Zaina, Sunrise and Emma all made their Tandem Soccer debut! Our sixth grade proved to be critical to Tandem's success! Nearly half the student body was outside on the front fields to witness the action. The Tandem students and an enthusiastic crowd on the hill were treated to a tight battle, with little margin for error.

About halfway through the first half, Bryn alertly cut off her opponent, clearing the ball ahead to Sam in the midfield. With a quick pass to Hadley, the ball began its path up the pitch, heading towards the box. Positioned on the right side of the field, Annie picked up where she left off during basketball season - she made her way towards the goal. Despite multiple defenders in the box, and a talented goalie, Annie dribbled away from the opponent, created some space, and fired a shot past the outstretched arms of Waldorf's goalie. With 14:00 to go in the opening period, Tandem took a 1-0 lead.