Falcons Nest - February 27th
A weekly recap of O'Neal Athletics
MS Girls Soccer
The first week of practice for Middle School girls soccer was a fantastic start to our season! We focused on the fundamentals, spending time working on passing and trapping techniques to help build a strong foundation for every player on the field. The girls also began learning field positioning, developing an understanding of how to move and organize themselves during play. Defensively, we covered both 1 on 1 situations and team defense concepts. Perhaps most exciting was seeing how enthusiastically the girls embraced our two team goals — providing consistent effort and being supportive of one another. From the very first session, they showed up ready to work hard and cheer each other on, setting a wonderful tone for the weeks ahead. Our first game of the season is coming up fast, as we will travel to Village Christian on Tuesday.
The first week of practice for Middle School girls soccer was a fantastic start to our season! We focused on the fundamentals, spending time working on passing and trapping techniques to help build a strong foundation for every player on the field. The girls also began learning field positioning, developing an understanding of how to move and organize themselves during play. Defensively, we covered both 1 on 1 situations and team defense concepts. Perhaps most exciting was seeing how enthusiastically the girls embraced our two team goals — providing consistent effort and being supportive of one another. From the very first session, they showed up ready to work hard and cheer each other on, setting a wonderful tone for the weeks ahead. Our first game of the season is coming up fast, as we will travel to Village Christian on Tuesday.
Varsity Girls Soccer
The O’Neal Varsity Girls Soccer team opened the season with a clear focus on who they want to be and how they want to compete. In a preseason planning session, Coach Kyle Kegl challenged the Falcons to define their team identity, commit to meaningful goals, and take ownership of the habits that shape strong programs. The emphasis was on intensity from the first whistle, accountability in every rep, and leadership as a daily behavior, not just a title. With a shared commitment to unity, effort, and purpose, the Falcons step into the season ready to represent their program with pride every time they take the field.
The O’Neal Varsity Girls Soccer team opened the season with a clear focus on who they want to be and how they want to compete. In a preseason planning session, Coach Kyle Kegl challenged the Falcons to define their team identity, commit to meaningful goals, and take ownership of the habits that shape strong programs. The emphasis was on intensity from the first whistle, accountability in every rep, and leadership as a daily behavior, not just a title. With a shared commitment to unity, effort, and purpose, the Falcons step into the season ready to represent their program with pride every time they take the field.
Varsity Boys Tennis
The varsity boys tennis team is ready to serve up a promising spring season after an energetic start to tryouts and practices. Following three competitive days of evaluations, the team finalized a talented roster of 10 players.
Since tryouts, the squad has focused on conditioning, sharpening tennis fundamentals, and refining its dynamic warm-up routine as players work their way back into competitive form. Early practices have featured a series of hard-fought challenge matches in both singles and doubles, giving athletes the opportunity to compete for position while pushing one another to improve.
Leadership will be anchored by senior co-captains Ethan Kim and Nathan Riefenstahl, who were selected to guide the group this season. Both captains bring experience, steady play, and a strong work ethic to a roster that blends veteran presence with developing talent.
With almost two solid weeks of practice under their belts, the team will now turn its attention to its first home match next Tuesday against Grace Christian. The players and coaches alike are optimistic that the hard work invested early will translate into success as the spring season unfolds.
The varsity boys tennis team is ready to serve up a promising spring season after an energetic start to tryouts and practices. Following three competitive days of evaluations, the team finalized a talented roster of 10 players.
Since tryouts, the squad has focused on conditioning, sharpening tennis fundamentals, and refining its dynamic warm-up routine as players work their way back into competitive form. Early practices have featured a series of hard-fought challenge matches in both singles and doubles, giving athletes the opportunity to compete for position while pushing one another to improve.
Leadership will be anchored by senior co-captains Ethan Kim and Nathan Riefenstahl, who were selected to guide the group this season. Both captains bring experience, steady play, and a strong work ethic to a roster that blends veteran presence with developing talent.
With almost two solid weeks of practice under their belts, the team will now turn its attention to its first home match next Tuesday against Grace Christian. The players and coaches alike are optimistic that the hard work invested early will translate into success as the spring season unfolds.
MS Co-Ed and Boys Varsity Golf
Both Middle School Co-Ed and Varsity Golf are off to a strong start despite a week of less-than-ideal weather. Indoor practices proved productive, with athletes focusing on movement patterns, athletic development, and foundational skills. Coaches have already seen tremendous growth in a short period of time and are excited about the progress being made.
This season also marks an exciting step forward for O’Neal Golf, as the program launches a new partnership with three local courses and welcomes an outstanding coaching staff. With Doug Wherry, Jack Nance, and Chance Osborne leading the way, the future of O’Neal Golf is bright as the teams continue to build momentum in a region known for excellence in the sport.
Both Middle School Co-Ed and Varsity Golf are off to a strong start despite a week of less-than-ideal weather. Indoor practices proved productive, with athletes focusing on movement patterns, athletic development, and foundational skills. Coaches have already seen tremendous growth in a short period of time and are excited about the progress being made.
This season also marks an exciting step forward for O’Neal Golf, as the program launches a new partnership with three local courses and welcomes an outstanding coaching staff. With Doug Wherry, Jack Nance, and Chance Osborne leading the way, the future of O’Neal Golf is bright as the teams continue to build momentum in a region known for excellence in the sport.
Falcons Athletics Next Week: 3/2/26 - 3/6/26
DAY | DATE | OPPONENT | SPORT | H/A | EVENT TIME |
MON | 3/2/2026 | Burlington Christian Academy | BGOLF | HOME | 1:00 PM |
TUE | 3/3/2026 | Burlington Christian Academy | MSGOLF | HOME | 3:20 PM |
TUE | 3/3/2026 | Grace Christian Raleigh | BTN | HOME | 3:30 PM |
TUE | 3/3/2026 | Village Christian Academy | MSBASE | AWAY | 4:00 PM |
TUE | 3/3/2026 | Village Christian Academy | GSOC | AWAY | 5:30 PM |
TUE | 3/3/2026 | Village Christian Academy | BASE | AWAY | 6:00 PM |
THU | 3/5/2026 | Northwood Temple | MSBASE | HOME | 3:00PM |
THU | 3/5/2026 | Northwood Temple | MSGSOC | HOME | 3:00PM |
FRI | 3/6/2026 | Northwood Temple | BASE | HOME | 3:30PM |
FRI | 3/6/2026 | Northwood Temple | GSOC | HOME | 3:30PM |
FRI | 3/6/2026 | Village Christian Academy | MSGSOC | AWAY | 4:00PM |
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