The Blue Devil Report from Fork Union Military Academy's Athletic Department is your source for weekly updates on the Fork Union Blue Devils. Here's the latest from @FUMAathletics.
Want to view past issues of the Blue Devil Report? Find them all on our website.
Contents:
- Senior Daouda Niang Signs with the University of Maryland
- FUMA Athletics Recap
- Feature Stories: Track & Field
- Fork Union Set to Host Summer Camps
- Fork Union Military Academy Welcomes Mike Tyrrell to PG Lacrosse Coaching Staff
Senior Daouda Niang Signs with the University of Maryland
FORK UNION, VA – Fork Union Military Academy is thrilled to announce that senior Daouda Niang has signed a Letter of Intent to compete in track and field for the University of Maryland in a ceremony that was held on Tuesday morning at the Estes Athletic Center.
"First, I would like to thank God," said Niang. "He has made everything possible. Thanks to everyone who supported me along the way. There were difficulties throughout my career, but I am grateful for this opportunity. I would not be where I am today without my family, coaches, and teammates."
Enrolling at the Academy in the ninth grade, Niang, son of Maimounda Gueye of Bethesda, Maryland, has become a discus standout. This impressive senior year will see him join the Terps' track and field program this fall. Niang dominated the discus throw at the 2024 Virginia Prep League Championships and secured a strong runner-up finish at the 2024 VISAA State Championships.
"Daouda Niang is one of the finest young men at Fork Union Military Academy," said head coach Winston Brown. "He is truly exceptional. This is a momentous day for our program, especially when a cadet progresses organically through our system and reaches such a prestigious level. Niang came out in 2022 throwing the discus 95 feet. In 2023, he improved to a remarkable 122 feet, 9 inches. This year, he soared to an outstanding 160 feet, 10 inches! I am incredibly proud of Daouda's dedication. He set a goal and relentlessly pursued it."
Congratulations, Niang!
Scores from the past:
Saturday, May 18
- Track & Field at VISAA State Championships | 4th Overall
Fork Union Finishes Strong with Fourth Place Showing at the VISAA State Championships
Saturday, May 18, 2024
RICHMOND, VA – The Fork Union Military Academy outdoor track and field team capped off a remarkable season with a hard-fought fourth-place finish at the 2024 VISAA State Championships held at Sports Backers Stadium.
Senior standout Harry Momolu led the charge, once again dominating the hurdle events. He repeated as champion in both the 110-meter hurdles (14.70) and 300-meter hurdles (39.93). Momolu also anchored the 4x400 relay team to a bronze medal finish (3:30.45), earning him well-deserved Most Valuable Runner honors. These victories added two more gold medals to his impressive collection, bringing his career total to an astonishing 10 postseason titles in just two years.
"We continued our tradition of outstanding performances at the State meet with a very competitive fourth-place finish," said head coach Winston Brown. "The past two weeks have been phenomenal. We saw nine season bests this week along, and several underclassmen highlighted their potential for next year."
The future of Fork Union's track program looks bright with the emergence of several talented underclassmen. Eighth-grader Kaydan Whiteside defied expectations, placing fifth in the highly competitive 400-meter dash (51.28). Freshman Alex Jackson also impressed, shaving off two seconds to secure a fifth-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles (42.98). Freshman David Eaton further solidified his potential with two scoring performances and season-best times in the distance events.
Coach Brown highlighted the consistent improvement shown by several upperclassmen. Meyki Shepard and Shaun Matthews displayed impressive growth throughout the season, setting themselves up for even greater success next year. Distance runner Jadyn Pieron exemplified his dedication with a significant 20-second drop in his 3200-meter run.
The leadership and dedication of seniors like Daouda Niang were instrumental in the team's success. Niang narrowly missed the gold medal in the discus with a throw of 155-feet to finish second. In the State meet a year ago, Niang finished the season with a personal best of 122-feet, nine inches, and improved to 160-feet, 10 inches his senior campaign.
While the team will undoubtedly miss the graduating seniors, Coach Brown expressed confidence in the returning talent and the potential of the underclassmen. "We will certainly miss Harry Momolu and his remarkable contributions," Brown said. "He has been much more than just numbers on the board."
Fork Union collected 55 points to place the squad fourth overall, placing ahead of fifth-place finisher Collegiate and Norfolk Academy, who finished sixth. Woodberry Forest was named champion with 129.50 points, while St. Christopher's (115) and John Paul the Great (71) stood second and third on the podium, respectively.
The Academy congratulates the outdoor track and field program on a fantastic season!
Join Us for an Unforgettable Summer at Fork Union Military Academy!
Looking for an exciting and enriching summer experience for your child? Look no further than Fork Union Military Academy's renowned summer camps! Whether your child is interested in sports, bonding experiences, or improving their skills, we have something for everyone.
Football, Strength & Speed Camp:
- When: June 14-17, 2024
- For: Day and overnight boys from ages 7 to 17
Get ready to dominate the gridiron with our Football, Strength & Speed Camp. Led by experienced coaches, this camp focuses on enhancing players' football skills, strength, and agility, giving them a competitive edge for the upcoming season.
Father-Son Weekend:
- When: June 21-23, 2024
- For boys of all ages and their fathers (or other adult male family member).
- Overnight Camp
Kick off the summer with our special Father-Son Weekend, where fathers and sons can bond through a variety of fun activities. From outdoor adventures to team challenges, this weekend promises memories that will last a lifetime.
Fork Union Basketball School - in its 39th Year:
- When: July 15-19, 2024
- Day and overnight options for boys and girls (girls must be day campers) from ages 5 to 18
Calling all basketball enthusiasts! Our Basketball School, now in its 39th year, offers top-notch coaching and skill development for boys and girls of all levels. Join us on the court to sharpen your skills and take your game to the next level. This camp offers overnight and day opportunities.
Visit our website here to learn more and secure your spot today. Don't miss out on the opportunity for your child to have a summer they'll never forget at Fork Union Military Academy!
Fork Union Military Academy Welcomes Mike Tyrrell to PG Lacrosse Coaching Staff
We are excited to announce the addition of Mike Tyrrell to Fork Union Military Academy's postgraduate lacrosse program as an assistant coach for the 2024 season. Tyrrell also serves as a Resource Instructor at the Academy.
Tyrrell brings a wealth of experience to Fork Union, having previously served as the head coach of the men's lacrosse program at the University of Saint Mary for the past two seasons. During his tenure at Saint Mary, he developed a winning program, coaching six all-conference players and leading the Aspires to two consecutive KCAC Team of Character awards.
Prior to Saint Mary, Tyrrell's coaching experience spans various successful programs. He served as the head coach of the women's lacrosse program at the University of Charleston (Division II) in 2022, and as an assistant coach for Mercer University's women's program (2019-2022), where the Bears captured two Southern Conference Championships. Additionally, he held assistant coaching positions at the University of Alabama-Huntsville (men's and women's) and the University of Tampa (men's and women's). At Huntsville, he helped guide the program to boast the highest-scoring offense in NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse. Prior to that, he played a key role in the University of Tampa's second-ever NCAA tournament appearance and coached a top-ten national defense that allowed only 8.26 goals per game on average.
Tyrrell's experience extends beyond coaching. He was a standout player at the University of Tampa, where he captained the team in 2013 and demonstrated his versatility playing both short-stick defense and attack.
We are confident that Tyrrell's coaching experience, leadership skills, and lacrosse knowledge will be valuable assets to our PG lacrosse program and the Fork Union Military Academy community!
Are you interested in playing college lacrosse?
Check out Fork Union's Postgraduate Lacrosse program! Elevate your game and academicsvwithout losing a minute of college eligibility!