Falcons Nest - April 14th

For even the seniors on the team, facing the Lions of Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill has always led to a loss. Still undefeated on the season, the Falcons hoped this year would be different as they traveled to face their conference rivals just one day after returning from spring break.

 

O’Neal controlled the ball early and saw a few shots miss the target. In the 18^th minute, Charli Bunder took a pristine corner kick that Peyton Smitherman kneed into the back of the net to grab a lead that would never fade. Jaleesa Eichel scored later in the first half on a cross from fellow freshman Hadassah Niswender, and Bunder scored on her own ten minutes after halftime to secure the victory.  

 

The win not only continues the team’s undefeated streak and bolsters their rankings in the top-5 of the state, but also clearly demonstrates overall improvement and forward progress as a team to finally defeat a once-intimidating rival. Next week O’Neal will host Salem Baptist on Tuesday and travel to Grace of Sanford on Thursday.  

 

Falcons Post Top 10 Finish in Palmetto High School Championship

 

The Boys' Golf Team traveled to Pawley’s Island, SC to take on 47 teams from across the country in the Palmetto High School Championship over Spring Break.  In a strong field, the Falcons jumped out to a day one lead with stellar rounds by Nick Joyce (2 under par, 68) and Jack Halloran (1 under par, 69).  Day two saw the Falcons stay in contention led by Jack Halloran and Pete Myers, both posting rounds of 3 over par 75.  In the final round, the rain and wind set in, but the team hung tough and finished a solid 10^th out of 48 teams.  Andrew Hobbs led all golfers on the final day with a great round of 1 under par 71.  Max Martin had a very solid tournament to help propel the Falcons into the Top 10 posting 3 over par 73 at Caledonia and 2 over par 74 at True Blue.

 

The boys were right back at it this week taking on Westchester Country Day at High Point Country Club.  The Falcons won in dominating fashion.  Pete Myers was the medalist posting an even par round of 72 assisted by Jack Halloran (76) and Andrew Hobbs (77).

 

After a road trip to Forsythe Country Day School, The O’Neal Track and Field girls team earned a 2^nd place finish while the boys brought home the top podium spot for the day.  The meet consisted of competition against Carolina Friends, Trinity School of Durham, Davidson Day School, Forsyth Country Day, and Burlington Christian Academy.  The Falcons were tested mentally and physically yesterday as the entire meet, from the start of the first field event to the completion of the last run event, was completed in just under two and a half hours.  In addition to the stellar team performances, the team had quite a few breakthrough newcomer performances consisting of the newly formed Hurdlers who include Fiona Surber (100m Hurdles), Honor Hicks, (300m Hurdles), Lauren Hobbs (300m Hurdles), Andrew Davis (High Jump), and Janna Caviness (200m).  The team’s ability to continue to grow to compete at the state level is occurring rapidly.

 

Top male performances: Brennan Hodges (2^nd place 200m), Ashton Coon and Andrew Davis (2^nd and 3^rd place, 400m), Honor Hicks (2^nd place, 300 Hurdles), Gavin Rabon (1^st place, Shot Put), 1^st place, 4 x 200m relay (B. Hodges, A. Coon, H. Neville, K. McKeithen), 1^st place 4 x 400m relay (B. Hodges, A. Davis, H. Neville, A. Coon), and finally 1^st place 4 x 800m relay (G. Adams, O. Little, C. Kuzma, C. Manning).

 

Top female performances: Mary Grace Huntley (3^rd place 200m and 1^st place high jump), Grace Simpson and Ava Taylor Walker (2^nd and 3^rd Place, 3200), Riley Lefler (2^nd place, Shot put and 3rd place Discus), Tamiya Judd (2^nd place High Jump), 1^st place, 4 x 200m relay (M. Huntley, F. Surber, K. Moore, T. Judd), and finally 4 x 800m relay (AT. Walker, J., Caviness, G. Simpson, L. Hobbs).  

 

The Track and Field Team will head to Durham next Thursday for continued Tri-TAC Conference competition.   

 

After a 10-day Spring Break, our boys' tennis team returned refreshed physically but failed to bring back their "A" tennis game. It was the most beautiful day of the year and for the first time we played with NO WIND!  It seems our team plays better in the wind 😊 The Falcons return to the courts on Wednesday next week as they host Ravenscroft.

 

O'Neal started the week with a trip to Durham to face the Trinity of Durham-Chapel Hill Lions. The Lions proved to be a scrappy bunch, but timely hitting and stellar pitching carried the Falcons to a 4-3 win. Jacob Bates pitched 6.1 innings, holding the Lions to one earned run on three hits. Aaron Pavlovich led the way offensively with two hits. Ryley Norton had two RBI's on a first-inning double that set the tone for the game. 

 

O'Neal carried a five-game winning streak into a rematch against VCA on Thursday. June Thomas started on the mound and pitched four innings of gritty baseball. June struck out six while giving up four hits. Jake Shepherd came on in relief in the fifth and struck out five Knights. The stellar pitching performance from Thomas and Shepherd carried the Falcons. Offensively, the Falcons scattered four timely hits in route to scoring six runs. Jacob Bates and Ryley Norton both had two RBI's on the day.

 

The Falcons play again next Tuesday at home against Salem Baptist.

The Falcons returned to the course after spring break hosting Sandhills Classical and Trinity School of Durham Tuesday afternoon. The low round with just one bogey came from Dylan Wolfe who shot a 34. Joining Wolfe on the winning O’Neal White team were Keens Cameron (40), Alex Golf (43), Timmy Hu (43), and Henry Hillyard (53). The O’Neal Navy team came in second with Natalie Henderson recording their team-low round of 41.

 

The Falcons return to the course next Tuesday, April 18^th for a home match versus Saint John Paul II and Thales Academy at Longleaf Country Club.