Falcons Nest - April 12th

James Franklin, Athletic Director
Falcons bounce back from Spring Break!  
Track & Field 
Many of the Track & Field Falcons took flight to various vacation destinations over spring break, we had Falcons continuing to practice in all different cities and countries! For those Track & Field Falcons that did stay at home, they had terrific morning practices all week taking advantage of the beautiful weather. Competing at Durham County Stadium on April 4th, the small team of Falcons battled 20+ MPH winds. That is no easy feat for track runners, but they continued to put their best efforts forward battling the wind with every race. Ashton Coon managed to get a PR in 100m.  The wind taught the runners how to push through inclement weather which will pay off when they race in ideal conditions. However, the field events were not held back during their events. The throwers, Riley Lefler and Javien (Christian) Lyles gained big season PRs in both the discus and shot-put throws. Along with fellow thrower Jacob Bates gaining a PR in Discus and Tamiya Judd jumped over a foot in a half PR in the long jump.  Overall, it was a successful spring break meet and the athletes continue to focus their efforts on training for the upcoming meets.   
 
Varsity Girls Soccer 
O’Neal @ Freedom Christian Academy – Final Score: 6-1, W  
Often, in recaps of soccer matches, the goalkeepers are overlooked as crucial players vital to a team’s success. In their last two games, the O’Neal goalies have been mostly unneeded since the Falcons dominated possession and kept the ball almost entirely in the opponents’ half during both games. However, the opposing keepers for Freedom Christian and Northwood Temple made our offense work for every goal and were the MVPs of those games.   

As O’Neal traveled to Freedom Christian just before spring break, they took a whopping 50 shots, 26 of which were on target. Six of those shots found the back of the net: 2 from Jordin Reed, 2 from Jaleesa Eichel, 1 from Hadassah Niswender, and a first-time goal from Amara Baker. The Falcons cruised to a comfortable victory, but the opposing keeper saved 77% of the shots that were on frame.  
 
O’Neal @ Northwood Temple Academy – Final Score: 9-0, W 
Not far behind was the opposing keeper for Northwood Temple. She constantly stymied the Falcon’s relentless attacks and recorded 24 saves on the night. Her heroics, however, weren’t enough to stop the 9 goals that eased O’Neal to their seventh consecutive win. Charli Bunder had four goals, Eichel recorded a hattrick of her own with three, and Gianna Maheu rounded out the scoring with two goals.  
The Falcons will travel to Village Christian for their last regular season away game on Friday 4/12 and then will begin a string of home matches against Fayetteville Christian on Tuesday 4/16.   
 
Middle School Girls Soccer 
O’Neal @ Berean Baptist – Final Score: 7-0, W 
The Middle School Girls Soccer team continued their undefeated season with a 7-0 victory on Monday against Berean BaptistO’Neal used high pressure to instantly put Berean on their heels, scoring a goal in the first 45 seconds of the game, and they never looked back from thereQuick passing and excellent spacing allowed the Falcons to move the ball effectively, and the girls each played a variety of different positions on the field as they worked to see the game from a variety of perspectivesO’Neal has now faced each team in the league once and is in a great position as they enter the second half of the season.  The underlying theme of being supportive and positive teammates has been embraced by all of the girls and it has elevated the play of everyone. 
 
Boys Varsity Golf 
The Falcon golf team placed 5th in the Azalea High School Championship this week at the Donald Ross-designed Cape Fear CC in Wilmington, NC. The team posted a score of one under par (287) finishing closely behind state powerhouses New Hanover, Pinecrest, Broughton, and Cardinal Gibbons. Nick Joyce and Andrew Hobbs led the team posting scores of -1 (71). Jack Halloran, William Huntley, and Max Martin rounded things out with scores of 72, 73, and 75 respectively. The Falcons continue to improve every time they tee it up and look to be coming into form as they prepare for the Palmetto High School Championship in Pawley’s Island next week, where they will compete against 47 other teams from across the country. 
 
Varsity Boys Tennis  
Following a refreshing Spring Break, the boys tennis team clinched a hard-fought 5-4 triumph against Fayetteville Academy. Noteworthy singles triumphs were achieved by Will Kitchen, Noah Bass, and Owen Williams, while pivotal doubles victories were sealed by the dynamic duos of Kitchen/Bass and Williams/Walters. 

The Falcons eagerly anticipate our next match scheduled for Friday, April 12, hosted by O’Neal facing off against Burlington Christian Academy.
 

Middle School Baseball
 
   
 
  
RUNS 
HITS 
RBIs 
BB 
SO 
W 
O’Neal 
38 
13 
34 
17 
0 
L 
Berean Baptist Academy 
0 
0 
0 
1 
4 
 
The Falcons were relentless against the Berean Baptist Bulldogs. They delivered an outstanding 38 runs to secure another conference win. The entirety of the team came across the plate to score at least one run. Jackson Booth and Charlie Borland led the way, scoring five runs each. Booth and Borland also batted in four runs. Christian Baker led the offensive batting in a total of seven runs. Jackson Graves drove in five runs while Camden Harrell and Charlie Monroe drove in three runs. 
 
On the hill it was lights out for the Parker combo. Parker Maxwell faced three and struck out three. He turned it over to Parker Fusonie, who made his debut as a pitcher. Fusonie faced four hitters and struck out one. This game was another remarkable performance by the Falcons. 
 
Varsity Baseball 

 
  
RUNS 
HITS 
RBIs 
BB 
SO 
W 
O’Neal 
24 
20 
21 
7 
8 
L 
Northwood Temple 
1 
1 
1 
1 
8 
O’Neal Falcons trumped Northwood Temple in a 5-inning hitting display led by Will Slagle and Jacob Bates. Will drove in five runs on five hits with two doubles and three singles going 5 for 5. Jacob Bates also went 5 for 5 with four RBIs, three singles, and a double on the day.  

Ricky Mullis, Jacob Shepherd, and June Thomas collected two hits each with June driving in four runs.  
Joey Wade pitched the first two innings allowing one hit, one run, and striking out three for the Falcons. Jackson Mullis made his first varsity appearance on the mound and pitched three innings striking out five batters and allowing zero hits and runs.  

Ricky Mullis and Camden Harrell led the defense behind the plate securing 9 total chances and catching five flawless innings combined. Ricky Mullis and Boyd Kenny also owned the bases stealing two each in the 5-inning bout.  

The Falcons have four games in the next seven days battling to stay on top of the SAC. 
Events Next Week 4/15 - 4/19:  

All events are subject to change.  
check our website for the most up-to-date information.  
 
DAY 
DATE 
OPPONENT 
SPORT 
H/A 
EVENT TIME 
SAT 
4/13/2024 
VIKINGS Relays 
Track and Field 
AWAY 
8:00 AM 
MON 
4/15/2024 
Northwood Temple 
MSBASE 
HOME 
3:30 PM 
MON 
4/15/2024 
Northwood Temple 
MSGSOC 
HOME 
3:30 PM 
MON 
4/15/2024 
Thales Academy 
BASE 
AWAY 
4:00 PM 
MON 
4/15/2024 
The Burlington School 
BTN 
HOME 
3:30 PM 
TUE 
4/16/2024 
Fayetteville Christian School 
BASE 
HOME 
4:00 PM 
TUE 
4/16/2024 
Fayetteville Christian School 
GSOC 
HOME 
4:00 PM 
TUE 
4/16/2024 
NC HS Invitational - Treyburn 
BGOLF 
AWAY 
8:00 AM 
TUE 
4/16/2024 
St. David's School 
BTN 
AWAY 
4:15 PM 
THU 
4/18/2024 
Faith Christian School 
BTN 
HOME 
3:30 PM 
THU 
4/18/2024 
Fayetteville Christian 
MSBASE 
HOME 
5:00 PM 
THU 
4/18/2024 
Fayetteville Christian 
MSGSOC 
HOME 
5:00 PM 
THU 
4/18/2024 
Freedom Christian Academy 
BASE 
AWAY 
5:30 PM 
THU 
4/18/2024 
Ravenscroft 
Track and Field 
AWAY 
4:00 PM 
THU 
4/18/2024 
St. Mary's Magdalene / BCA 
MSGOLF 
HOME 
3:30 PM 
 
 
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