This year has been a very special year for sports at Charlottesville High School, showcasing the incredible talents and dedication of our student athletes. I’m beyond excited to highlight the accomplishments of seven amazing individuals who have excelled in their athletics and academics and will be continuing their athletic careers in college. These seven student-athletes have shown the community that with some perseverance and determination, you can accomplish greatness. 

The first standout student is Andrew Cullinan, a versatile player for the Black Knights Varsity baseball team. Throughout his four years on varsity baseball, Cullinan has shown his tremendous skills as a first baseman, right-handed pitcher, and third baseman. However, nothing has come easy for Cullinan, who faced multiple injuries and setbacks in his freshman and sophomore years. These setbacks forced him to question if he wanted to keep on pushing. It wasn’t until his junior year where he began to rediscover his potential, leading him to regain his confidence and determination. “During my junior year, I really started to see my potential and really got back on my horse,” he explained. Cullinan isn’t an average-sized guy standing at six feet and four inches, which he recognizes is a huge strength of his. Looking forward, Cullinan has a clear view for his future. He will be attending Delaware Valley College primarily because of its specialized degree program in turf management and hopes to contribute to the baseball team right from the jump. 

The baseball team’s talent doesn’t stop with Cullinan, however. Another CHS baseball player, Mason Divers, has chosen to continue both his athletic and academic careers at West Virginia Tech University.  For Divers, he was drawn to the school for its strong engineering program and the personal connection he shares with his travel ball coach, Thomas Weaver, who is a WVTU alumni. Divers encourages athletes to not overlook smaller schools, as they often have many competitive opportunities that can lead to success. “I’m going to an NAIA school, which is just as good, competitively as some D1 programs. Don’t count out small schools.” 

As a left-handed pitcher, Divers brings a different outlook to the game along with his amazing ball knowledge and his ability to connect with his teammates. Divers has also been known as  “Coach Mason” for as long as he could remember; he is often told once it’s time for him to hang the glove up, he should become a coach. “I wouldn’t be opposed to coaching,” he says. 

It is clear that Mason has a strong desire to give back to the sport that gave many memories and opportunities to him. 

Moving on from baseball, one of CHS’s volleyball players is heading to college for both athletics and academics as well. Elsa Miller is committed to Williams College, a school that has been her dream school for two years. She was drawn to Williams for its incredible academic, alumni network and its philosophies it promotes. Her advice for young recruits is to be consistent in reaching out to coaches and to share video footage of their performances. Despite not initially seeing herself as a college athlete, Miller’s dedication to the sport led her to this opportunity. She believes that being a student athlete requires balance between athletics and academics, making her a well rounded individual. 

Nathaniel Orban will continue his running career at Roanoke College, where he felt he could reach his full potential as an athlete. He emphasizes the importance of staying on track and being confident in your abilities. Orban initially didn’t consider Roanoke during his college search but was impressed by the coach and the team culture. Outside of athletics Orban is known for his sense of  humor and kindness. He hopes his friends would describe him as someone who is always ready to lend a helping hand. He values the friendships that he has built through running and recognizes that they have played a part in his success. Orban’s journey shows that while talent is important, the relationships and support from teammates and coaches make all the difference in an athlete’s career.

 Thimson Duolo is committed to Virginia Military Institute, where he hopes to continue his soccer journey. Although he was initially uncertain about playing at the collegiate level, he followed his coaches advice and reached out to multiple schools . His hard work paid off, as he would soon get a full scholarship to attend VMI. “The recruitment process is different for everyone so you have to be patient and reach out to as many coaches as possible,” explains Duolo.

Carolina Chao’s decision to attend Johns Hopkins University was based on her desire to find a perfect balance between academics and athletics, along with a supportive community that fits her values. For the past four years Chao has focused on being very consistent and reaching out to coaches monthly to show that she is committed and wants to not only play at the collegiate level but become a national champion. Chao noticed that the athletes at John Hopkins had the same type of drive as her and wanted to not only excel in the classroom but also on the field. To them losing is never an option. A lot of people describe Chao as intelligent, hard working, focused and crafty. Chao’s biggest role models are her grandparents who grew up in Cuba, but were forced to leave and start from scratch in America where they worked really hard to build a life for her family. 

Sophie Chen’s commitment to Amherst College was a very pivotal moment for her in her athletic career, especially since she had planned on just being a student at the next level and not playing soccer anymore. Chen attended many ID camps and talked to      multiple coaches in person but really wasn’t satisfied with where she was at. However, Chen finally found her fit at Amherst. Chen explains that at the end of the day the recruiting process, “comes down to good timing and a F*** ton of luck.”

These seven athletes have not only excelled in their sports but have also shown an insane amount of dedication to their education. As they transition into each of their next chapters, Charlottesville High school is proud to have been a part of their journey. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors!