POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. - The Mount Vernon varsity track and field team was in action over the weekend, competing in the GHSA Class-A Private State Championship at McEachern High School. Kennedy Reynolds, seeded fifth in the 300-meter hurdles, secured her first GHSA State Championship in her first appearance. She also became the fourth 300-meter hurdler to win a State Championship in school history and is the second to do so as a freshman. The Mustang varsity girls 4x100 meter relay team of Mia "MJ" James, Leah Collins, Savannah Robinson-Holmes and Reynolds finished in the top four at the State Championships. The foursome also took down a long standing school record going back to 2012, a team included four-time collegiate All-American Nnenya Hailey. The boys 4x100 meter relay team of Benjamin Spitz, Nagari Tophia, Liam O'Toole and Christopher Kartsonas was also on display, finishing in the Top 5. Nagari Tophia placed in the Top 5 in the boys 400-meter run as well. Tophia set a new school record in the event and was Mount Vernon's first 400-meter state finalist since 2012. Collin Maher, who finished in the Top 8 in the Boys 800-meter, became the second runner to break the two-minute barrier in school history. Congrats to all of the Mustangs on a terrific 2022 season! Established in 1972, The Mount Vernon School, serves over 1,200 students in preschool through grade 12 on our 40 acre Atlanta campus. As a leading visionary independent school, Mount Vernon’s brand of innovation and entrepreneurship has emerged over the last decade, impacting schools in the US and across the globe through Mount Vernon Ventures, a research, strategy, and consulting division of the School. In addition, in 2021 the School launched a global online program for grade 9-12 to meet the needs of today’s flexible family. Through established partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and civic environments, our mission is to design a better world...together. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs....

ATLANTA - The Mount Vernon Athletic Department hosted the third annual MVEES Awards on Monday night, May 9, at the Upper Campus Gym. The night recognized all athletic performances and achievements from the 2021-22 academic year. Below is a recap of Mount Vernon's athletic season as well as award winners from the night. Softball - Finished #5 in state and made the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. Football - Sweet-16 appearance Girls Cross Country - Finished #8 in state as a team (highest rank in school history). Volleyball - Finished region regular season undefeated (first time in school history). Competition Cheer - Competed at Sectional Tournament for first time in four years. Flag Football - Made state in its inaugural season and finished second in area. Boys Basketball - First Sweet-16 appearance in four years. Wrestling - 2nd in Area Duals. Boys Soccer - Made state playoffs for the first time in program history. Girls Soccer - Advanced to the Sweet-16. Lacrosse - Most wins (6) in school history. Boys Track & Field - 2nd in Region (most points in school history). Girls Track & Field - 3rd in Region (highest finish in school history). Boys Tennis - Qualified for State. Girls Tennis - Advanced to the Elite Eight (first time in school history). AWARD WINNERS: Female Rising Star Award - This award goes to a freshman or sophomore who stood out on their teams despite being new to varsity competition. Nominees: Mia (MJ) James, Scarlett McCarthy, Daniela O’Leary, Kennedy Reynolds Winner: Kennedy Reynolds Male Rising Star Award - This award goes to a freshman or sophomore who stood out on their teams despite being new to varsity competition. Nominees: Jonathan Gallinaro, Michael Pozzobon, Davis Reiger, Dennis “Trey’ Scott Winner: Jonathan Gallinaro Late Game Heroics - This award goes to the team that came in clutch in the final seconds of the game and led their team to victory. Nominees: Football vs Mount Paran, Boys Basketball vs Christian Heritage, Wrestling (Walker Warshaw), Lacrosse vs Pinecrest Winner: Walker Warshaw for Wrestling Breakout Year - This award goes to a team who improved tremendously from the previous season and took a giant step towards success in the future. Nominees: Cross Country, Flag Football, E-Sports, Boys Soccer Co-winners: Flag Football and Boys Soccer Best Team Season Performance - This award goes to the team that exceeds expectations and performed exceptionally throughout the year. Nominees: Girls Tennis, Softball, Boys Basketball, Football Winner: Softball Best Comeback Performance - This award goes to the most spectacular comeback…. Nominees: Softball vs. Mount Paran, Boys Soccer vs. Holy Innocents, Football vs. Mount Paran, Boys Basketball vs. Christian Heritage Winner: Softball Best Play - Individual - This award goes to an individual who caught the eyes of everyone on one particular play during the season. Nominees: Kinsley Baker, Quin Goodson, Sofia Tur, Grace Westmoreland Winner: Kinsley Baker Best Play - Team - This award goes to a team who caught the eyes of everyone on one particular play during the season. Nominees: Lacrosse vs. Pinecrest, Girls Soccer vs. Hebron Christian, Girls Tennis vs. FPD, Baseball vs. Holy Innocents Winner: Girls Tennis Ron Hill Mustang Award - Coach Ron Hill was a beloved faculty member and coach that exemplified hard work, courage, and selflessness. Pillars of Mount Vernon athletics at its core. Every year at the MVEES, we honor Coach Hill by selecting one member of each sport to exemplify his legacy. Recipients: Wrestling - Tyler Long Softball - Lauren Dove Lacrosse - Michael Lotz Boys XC - James Knight Girls XC - Samantha McCarthy Boys Tennis - Cooper Patnode Girls Tennis - Ashley Burke Esports - Jake Lager Girls Track - Kennedy Reynolds Boys Track - Liam O’Toole Boys Swimming - Liam Adams Girls Swimming - Kate McGee Girls Golf - Avery Grace Messner Boys Golf - Luke Van Putten Girls Soccer - Caroline Curry Boys Soccer - Benjamin Spitz Baseball - Will Allison Volleyball - Sydney Carroll Boys Basketball - Daniel O’Keefe Cheerleading - Allison Jones Girls Basketball - Annabelle McCarthy Football - George Pope Flag Football - Grace Westmoreland Courage Award - This award goes to the player that persevered through adversity and stopped at nothing to make their team’s season successful. Nominees: Charlie Duerr, Clara Greyson, Karoline Lundstrom, JC Moser Winner: Karoline Lundstrom Best Game - This award goes to the team that went above and beyond in their performance in one particular game during the season. Nominees: Boys Basketball vs HIES, Baseball vs HIES, Softball vs Mount Paran, Lacrosse vs HIES Winner: Boys Basketball Under Armour Women of Will Award Winner: Jane Holliday Best Female Athlete - This award goes to the female athlete who performed at the highest level throughout at least two seasons. Nominees: Ella Ruth Campbell, Mia (MJ) James, Savanna Messner, J’Bionna Robinson Winner: Savanna Messner Best Male Athlete - This award goes to the male athlete who performed at the highest level throughout at least two seasons. Nominees: Liam O’Toole, Will Palmer, James Shanks, Austin Taylor Winner: Will Palmer Most Outstanding Female Senior Athlete - This award goes to a female athlete who excelled in a particular sport in their senior season. Nominees: Allison Jones, Landry Kruep, Samantha McCarthy, Savanna Messner Winner: Savanna Messner Most Outstanding Male Senior Athlete - This award goes to a male athlete who excelled in a particular sport in their senior season. Nominees: Syncere Harris, Will Palmer, Cooper Patnode, Austin Taylor Winner: Syncere Harris Established in 1972, The Mount Vernon School, serves over 1,200 students in preschool through grade 12 on our 40 acre Atlanta campus. As a leading visionary independent school, Mount Vernon’s brand of innovation and entrepreneurship has emerged over the last decade, impacting schools in the US and across the globe through Mount Vernon Ventures, a research, strategy, and consulting division of the School. In addition, in 2021 the School launched a global online program for grade 9-12 to meet the needs of today’s flexible family. Through established partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and civic environments, our mission is to design a better world...together. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs....

ATLANTA - The Mount Vernon varsity girls and boys track and field teams were in action last week, competing in the GHSA Class-A Private Area-3 Championship at Atlanta International School. The varsity girls team took third place while the varsity boys took second place and were awarded the Area-3 Region Runner-Up trophy. The finish marks the highest finish for the varsity girls team in program history and for the varsity boys, it is the most points scored in an Area Championship in history for the Mustangs. Twenty-seven Mustangs advanced to the Sectional round, the most in Mount Vernon's program history as well. Below are the top results from last week's meet: Area-3 Region Champions: -Christopher Kartsonas-110 meter Hurdles/300 meter Hurdles -Nagari Tophia-Boys 400 meter -Benjamin Spitz, Nagari Tophia, Christopher Kartsonas, Liam O’toole-Boys 4x100 meter relay -Quin Goodson-Boys Shot Put Sectional Qualifiers (All) Girls: 11 total -Savannah Robinson-Holmes-4x200, 4x100, 100 meter, 200 meter -Mia James-4x100, 4x400 -Leah Collins-4x200, 100 meter -Kennedy Reynolds-4x1, 4x4, 400 meter, 300 meter hurdles Audrey Thompson-800 meter, 4x400 (alt) -Sumirra Dirir-4x400 -J’Bionna Robinson-4x200 -Emi Lutz-4x200 Meredith Dunlap-400 meter, 4x400 -Lauren Dove-Shot Put and Discus -Claire Smith-Shot Put and Discus Boys: 16 total -Benjamin Spitz-4x200, 100 meter, 4x100 -Sam Hodges-4x200 -James Knight-4x200, 4x800 -Aidan Ray-4x200, 110 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles, long jump -Christopher Kartsonas-110 meter hurdles, 300 meter hurdles, 4x100, 4x400 -Nagari Tophia-400 meter, 200 meter, 4x100, 4x400 -Collin Maher-400 meter, 800 meter, 4x400 -Liam O'Toole-400 meter, 200 meter, 4x100, 4x400 -Ben Edwards-4x800 -Tyler Van Name-4x800 -Curran Jolly-4x800 -Quin Goodson-Shot Put and Discus -Michael Hardie-Shot Put -Max Moore- Discus -Justin Early-Long Jump -Eli Weiser-Pole Vault The Mustangs are back in action on Saturday, May 7, competing in the GHSA Sectional Round at Trinity Christian. Events will start at 10 a.m. in Sharpsburg, Ga. Established in 1972, The Mount Vernon School, serves over 1,200 students in preschool through grade 12 on our 40 acre Atlanta campus. As a leading visionary independent school, Mount Vernon’s brand of innovation and entrepreneurship has emerged over the last decade, impacting schools in the US and across the globe through Mount Vernon Ventures, a research, strategy, and consulting division of the School. In addition, in 2021 the School launched a global online program for grade 9-12 to meet the needs of today’s flexible family. Through established partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and civic environments, our mission is to design a better world...together. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs....

ATLANTA – The Mount Vernon Athletic Department and Athletic Director Brad Dehem are pleased to announce the hiring of Russell Aguirre as head varsity volleyball coach. “We are excited about bringing Russell on campus to lead our volleyball program,” Dehem said. “He brings a great background to our program with a wealth of knowledge in all areas of the sport.” Aguirre comes to Mount Vernon via Hebron Christian Academy where he served as a varsity assistant, junior varsity head coach and middle school coordinator since 2018. “I am extremely excited to join the Mount Vernon family,” Aguirre said. “My vision is to create one of the best volleyball programs in the state that glorifies God.” Added Aguirre: “I am a firm believer that we are to do everything with excellence. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work.” During his tenure with the Lions, the teams he assisted won one state championship (2019), finished as the state runners-up (2020), and advanced to three final fours (2018, ’19, ’20) and one elite eight (2021). His main duties at Hebron Christian were maintaining strong relationships with players both on and off the court and developing training schedules for each player and team. Prior to his stint at Hebron Christian, Aguirre was the head volleyball coach at Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Ga. from 2014-18. His squads made the Sweet-16 four times (2014-17), the Elite Eight twice (2015-16), the Final Four once (2016) and appeared in the State Championship match in 2015. Along with his volleyball duties, Aguirre will teach Spanish on the Upper Campus. Aguirre is currently pursuing a master’s in religious education from Liberty University. He graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2012. Established in 1972, The Mount Vernon School, serves over 1,200 students in preschool through grade 12 on our 40 acre Atlanta campus. As a leading visionary independent school, Mount Vernon’s brand of innovation and entrepreneurship has emerged over the last decade, impacting schools in the US and across the globe through Mount Vernon Ventures, a research, strategy, and consulting division of the School. In addition, in 2021 the School launched a global online program for grade 9-12 to meet the needs of today’s flexible family. Through established partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and civic environments, our mission is to design a better world...together. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs....

MACON, Ga. - The Mount Vernon varsity girls team is headed to the Elite 8, marking the first time any Mount Vernon tennis squad has advanced that far in the school's GHSA era. The Mustangs defeated the defending Class-A Private State Champion and no. 1 seeded Lady Vikings 3-2 on Tuesday afternoon, April 26, at FPD's South Athletic Complex. Sofia Tur clinched the match for the Mustangs at no. 1 singles winning 6-3/4-6/7-6 (8-6). "The undisputed heroine of the day was Sofia," Head Coach Sheldon Staples said. "She took the first set 6-3 and lost the second set 4-6 thanks in part to the fact that she was suffering physically. The third set was grueling to watch as Sofia was doubled over in pain through the whole set and the subsequent tiebreaker." Added Staples: "Somehow, our gutsy Sofia pulled off the tiebreaker 8-6, clinching the win for the team. It was an unforgettable performance we will be talking about for years." The Mustangs also got a win from no. 2 singles Daniela O'Leary 6-2/6-3. Mount Vernon's no. 2 doubles team of Ashley Burke and Reagan Wissman were triumphant as well, 6-2/6-0. "There literally was never a doubt (with our no. 2 doubles team)," Staples said. "They played great." The Mustangs (16-3) will take on George Walton Academy in the Elite 8 in Monroe, Ga. The Bulldogs defeated the Whitefield Academy Wolfpack 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon to advance. Mount Vernon's Elite 8 match must be completed by May 3 according to the GHSA playoff bracket. "I couldn't be more proud of the girls," Staples said. "Everyone played a role in this victory and we are thankful to be moving on." Stay updated on the Mustangs in the state playoffs on www.mountvernonathletics.com and on Twitter by following @MV_Athletics. For the entire 2022 GHSA Class-A Private Girls Tennis State Tournament bracket https://www.ghsa.net/2021-2022-ghsa-class-a-private-girls-state-tennis-championship-bracket. Established in 1972, The Mount Vernon School, serves over 1,200 students in preschool through grade 12 on our 40 acre Atlanta campus. As a leading visionary independent school, Mount Vernon’s brand of innovation and entrepreneurship has emerged over the last decade, impacting schools in the US and across the globe through Mount Vernon Ventures, a research, strategy, and consulting division of the School. In addition, in 2021 the School launched a global online program for grade 9-12 to meet the needs of today’s flexible family. Through established partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and civic environments, our mission is to design a better world...together. ...

ATLANTA – The Mount Vernon Athletic Department and Athletic Director Brad Dehem are pleased to announce the appointment of Hiroki “Hiro” Kariya to the position of Head Athletic Trainer, effective in May 2022. Kariya comes to Mount Vernon from Emory Sports Medicine where he served as athletic trainer providing athletic training services to Clayton County High Schools. “We are looking forward to having Hiro on our staff as Head Athletic Trainer,” Dehem said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge from many aspects of the arena and will serve our student-athletes, coaches and community well.” Kariya is certified in kinesio taping, dry needling, corrective exercise and performance enhancement, amongst other skills. While Kariya acknowledges it’s impossible to prevent sports injuries, he knows that partnering with coaches is crucial in helping mitigate them. “I have experience in movement screening, ACL prevention program, and Thrower's Ten (overhead sports injury prevention) program,” Kariya said. “Movement screening can identify an athlete's dysfunctional movement and I can come up with an individualized stretching and strengthening program for each athlete which can decrease the chance of injury. I plan to work with each team and Bobby (Hayes), our strength coach, to incorporate them in their weightlifting time or warm-up.” Kariya also says that parents help their student-athletes at home with injury prevention techniques. “The most important thing is to report the injury to us so we can evaluate their children and guide them with the proper treatment protocol,” Kariya said. “The most common mistake that parents make is excessive use of ice and medication. There is multiple research showing that icing and anti-inflammatory medication can delay the healing process during the first 24-48 hours of the injury. Instead, performing a pain-free range of motion exercise or self-myofascial release techniques using a foam roller or massage gun can be very helpful for muscle injuries.” Kariya completed his bachelor’s degree in science in 2009 at the University of Georgia followed by a master’s in 2012 at Georgia State. Established in 1972, The Mount Vernon School, serves over 1,200 students in preschool through grade 12 on our 40 acre Atlanta campus. As a leading visionary independent school, Mount Vernon’s brand of innovation and entrepreneurship has emerged over the last decade, impacting schools in the US and across the globe through Mount Vernon Ventures, a research, strategy, and consulting division of the School. In addition, in 2021 the School launched a global online program for grade 9-12 to meet the needs of today’s flexible family. Through established partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and civic environments, our mission is to design a better world...together. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs....