Sportswire Spotlight - A podcast from Henrico County Public Schools

On the latest Sportswire Spotlight, Godwin High School senior Riley Guyer and teacher Rebecca Martino chat about Riley’s accolades as a cheerleader, dancer and leader within the Eagles community. Guyer reflects on growing up around her school from a young age, while Martino discusses Guyer’s contributions to Godwin as SCA president and much more. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Welcome to Episode 2, Season 3, of the Sportswire Spotlight, featuring a father-son duo from Hermitage High School — Dr. Michael Jackson, principal, and Michael Jackson Jr. (MJ), a senior student-athlete for the Panthers.Dr. Jackson and MJ discuss their football careers across different eras at Hermitage High School, and MJ reflects on his four years at Hermitage with his dad as principal — and vice versa!Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH7WDDQYyU0Listen to an audio version of the Sportswire Spotlight on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and follow Sportswire on Instagram @sportswire_henrico!

Welcome to Season 3 of the Sportswire Spotlight podcast from Henrico County Public Schools! In our first episode of the 2025-26 school year, hosts Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner talk to senior Laila Egerton and coach Ashley Banks from Varina High School’s new girls flag football team: the Varina Snap Queens.Laila and her coach describe how this team — the first girls flag football team at HCPS — came together and the potential of flag football in the region, along with the support the team has received and Laila’s various passions in track, boxing, aviation and JROTC. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ2Gaui3IMo

Sprint to our final Sportswire Spotlight episode of the year, featuring Ethan Mullinix and Jack McDonald from Deep Run track and field!Ethan and Jack discuss the intricacies and energy of the 4x400 relay, setting school records against each other and their plans after graduating as part of the #HCPSClassof25 this week.Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g23NwldL8K8

On Season 2, Episode 11 of the Sportswire Spotlight, senior Christian Bolar joins the show to chat about his many pursuits at Highland Springs High School and his lifelong passion for music.Christian has played football, baseball, basketball and run track at Highland Springs, but he’s also recorded three gospel albums and has been featured as a soloist with the East End Singers at major Henrico Schools events such as Graduation and Convocation. The Old Dominion-bound Springer discusses what it was like hearing his music on the radio for the first time, the similarities between performing on stage and on the field, and how he balanced music, sports and academics en route to his upcoming graduation as part of the Highland Springs Class of 2025.Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KzL_NtG0SrE?si=bjacrrKskOX6pcXM

Welcome back to the Sportswire Spotlight from Henrico County Public Schools! On the latest episode, Will and Dylan return to Mills Godwin High School to talk baseball with senior standout Luke Smyers and coach Josh Gentry.The University of Alabama baseball recruit shares his perspective on being the center of attention of pro scouts as a pitcher and the elation of some massive walk-off hits he’s had over the past year, while Coach Gentry discusses the Eagles rebounding from last year’s state title loss and the impact Luke has had on the program.You can also listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

On Season 2, Episode 9 of the Sportswire Spotlight, members of the Douglas S. Freeman High School swim and dive team reflect on their triumph at the Class 5 championships, where both the boys and girls claimed state team titles!In the first segment, coach Steven Gromling is joined by seniors Allison Bischoff and Nathan Szobota — who are both committed to swim at UVA — to reflect on each of their journeys to swimming stardom and how both the boys and girls teams reached their apex.Then, senior diver and three-sport athlete Blaine Nelson and Joe O’Connor, a Freeman grad and assistant coach at DiveRVA, talk about diving becoming a critical part of the championship formula for the Mavericks boys over the past two years, as well as exactly what it takes to become successful in their craft.Watch the video version at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0Rn8Ah-Yg4tlIecW0XtBCDF3xk_YM8q9

On Season 2, Episode 8, of the Sportswire Spotlight, we meet with several members of the Hermitage girls track team and their coach, Tenise Patrick. Freshman state champion Massandje Comara discusses her quick rise to record breaking numbers in the 500 meters, and freshman Taryn Patrick talks about competing at the highest levels with her mom as coach. Then, shot putter Brenley Doran and relay sprinters Samia Johnson and Asah Delaney chat about the culture of track at Hermitage and the importance of coaching in events like shot put and relays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlmQNaSYpkE&list=PL0Rn8Ah-Yg4tlIecW0XtBCDF3xk_YM8q9&index=19https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Season 2, Episode 7 of the Sportswire Spotlight, sophomore star Brian "JR" Mitchell of the Varina boys basketball team is joined by teacher and “Team Mom” Ashley Johnson to discuss all things Blue Devils hoops. JR looks back on his hot start to the season and his ambitions for the Blue Devils this season, while Johnson describes her passion for her students’ success and how she tries to keep them on track on the court and at school.You can also listen to the Sportswire Spotlight on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Season 2, Episode 6 of the Sportswire Spotlight, sophomore Riley Garnett and coach Sharon Kelly from the Douglas S. Freeman High School gymnastics team take the mics to chat about the ins and outs of their successful program.Riley, who was a first-team All-Metro selection by the Times-Dispatch as a freshman, describes the joy and happiness that’s necessary for her Mavericks to perform and her aspirations while still early into her high school career. Coach Kelly looks back on multiple decades as a coach at Freeman, where she has led the team since 1995, and what has made Riley an instant success in her program.You can also listen to the Sportswire Spotlight on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Season 2, Episode 5 of the Sportswire Spotlight, Henrico High School girls basketball standouts Shayla Wyatt and Sanaa Moore relive a memorable night for themselves and the Warriors program, as they both surpassed 1,000 career points on the same night.The seniors look back on their time as teammates and what it was like sharing that moment with each other, their team and their families.You can also listen to the Sportswire Spotlight on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Season 2, Episode 4 of the Sportswire Spotlight, juniors Ky Evans and Mikayla Mines delve into their experiences as female wrestlers at Henrico High School.They explain how they got into the sport and how quickly their skills have developed as the popularity of girls wrestling is now at an all time high.You can also listen to the Sportswire Spotlight on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Season 2, Episode 3 of the Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner chat with J.R. Tucker basketball and football standout Dennel Douglas and coach Adam Desgain, who have led the boys basketball team to a strong 3-0 start in the winter season.Dennel discusses how his time at Tucker as helped him improve as a student and as a dual-sport athlete, and Coach Desgain describes Dennel's growth over the past year and how Dennel and his brother have set a winning foundation for the Tigers.You can read a Zach Joachim's feature story on Dennel at Richmond.com: https://richmond.com/sports/high-school/football/jr-tucker-high-school-football-dennel-douglas-tigers-brice-fritts-captain-adversity/article_b5571394-8647-11ef-a35b-33636d0e95ab.htmlYou can listen to the Sportswire Spotlight in audio form on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Season 2, Episode 2 of the Sportswire Spotlight, Will and Dylan talk to senior captain Ally Von Herbulis and coach Jennifer Miller of the Glen Allen field hockey team about their stellar season and Ally's helping hand on the field and within the school community, as well as some Halloween takes and traditions. You can register for the JB Sunset 5K, which supports the Julia Budzinski Memorial Scholarship Fund, at https://henricogives.org/julia/. https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

Welcome to Season 2 of the Sportswire Spotlight from Henrico County Public Schools!Hosts Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner are joined by senior Zach Bond and coach Sam Rock from the J.R. Tucker boys volleyball team, which is enjoying arguably its best season in program history. Zach and his coach break down what makes this year's team stand out from those in the past and what it will take for the Tigers to keep up this momentum into the future.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Episode 13 of the Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner sit down with Highland Springs High School pole vaulter Kendric Curry and track and field coach Larry Williams. Curry digs into his passions for pole vaulting and piloting, and he describes the similarities between taking flight during a track meet and in a plane. Williams adds perspective on what Curry brings to the Springers’ track team and what it’s been like taking over the program from his close friend, Lamont Folsom.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Episode 12 of the Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner sit down with senior Mariah Jameson and coach Annette Sirica from the J.R. Tucker High School track and field program. Jameson, the reigning Class 5 state champion in the 200 meters, talks about what led to her commitment to Temple and how her studies and experience with mindfulness come into play for herself and other student athletes. Jameson and Sirica also shed light on the work track athletes put in behind the scenes and look ahead to the final stretch of their spring season.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Episode 11 of the Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner chat with senior Hailey Butler and assistant athletic director Rick Catalano about Butler's path to 500 career strikeouts as a standout pitcher for the Blue Devils softball team. Butler also goes into detail about becoming one of Henrico County Public Schools' Teacher Scholars for the Class of 2024, and her excitement for her future in softball and education.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlighthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubCEryfT04U

On Episode 10 of the Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner sit down with Mills Godwin High School three-sport standout Hank Piersol and baseball coach Josh Gentry as the spring sports season gets underway. Piersol reflects on his growth as a baseball player and three-sport athlete, and how his family, team and Godwin community helped him push through a house fire during his junior season, while Gentry diagnoses how Godwin baseball has become such a consistent force in a region filled with top talent and rivals.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On Episode 9 of the Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner chat with Henrico High School senior hoops standout McKenzie Wiggins and girls basketball coach Lawrence Bray after the Warriors’ season came to an end with another strong playoff run. Wiggins describes her passion for hoops as well as the drumline, which she shares with her brother, and Bray praises the leadership qualities and efforts off the court by Wiggins and other Warriors athletes. https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sp...

On a special episode of the Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner sit down with Dr. Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent, and her daughter, Glen Allen freshman Catie Cashwell. Both Cashwells have become Chiefs fans this season via the pop culture superstorm introduced by the celebrity relationship of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, and they discuss their fandom and what it's been like to watch the Chiefs' roller coaster season to Super Bowl 58. Dylan then quizzes the guests with NFL facts, while challenging Will with some Swiftie trivia.https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On the seventh episode of Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner dive into the world of cheerleading with Mills Godwin senior captain Chloe Hubbard and coach Melissa Ellyson.Chloe breaks down the differences between competition and sideline cheer, while coach Ellyson explains what goes into mastering a region championship-winning performance. Chloe also schools Dylan in a test of cheerleading jargon. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfnrnw_77Ws&list=PL0Rn8Ah-Yg4tlIecW0XtBCDF3xk_YM8q9&index=7 Online: https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On the sixth episode of Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner sit down with Douglas Freeman football standout Shep Pounders and coach George Bland. Pounders describes his role as the Mavericks' Swiss Army knife on the field, as well as his philanthropic and charitable missions off the field, while Bland reflects on one of the biggest postseason wins in school history. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdfPR0unSo0&t=4s Online: https://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On the fifth episode of Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner sit down with Glen Allen cross county standout Elly Velasquez, a reigning state champion, and head coach Jenn Strojny, who has led the Jaguars to several state titles in her 10-year tenure as XC and track coach. Velasquez reveals the mental and physical burdens she had to overcome to become a champion, and Strojny explains her role in fostering one of the top running programs in the region. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgSKnIAA4Xohttps://www.henricoschools.us/page/sportswire-spotlight

On the fourth episode of Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner talk with Varina High School girls volleyball coach Vicky Ferris and student-athlete Ayonna Harding, a co-captain for the squad. Ferris, who is the school's culinary arts instructor, is also joined by Linwood Johnson, Varina's quarterback who is also a student in her cooking class.

On the third episode of Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner talk with Hermitage High School student-athlete Casey Stapleton, who plays volleyball and softball along with her involvement in JROTC and passion for art. She's joined by Master Gunnery Sergeant Karl Bartley. Stapleton discusses how she balances her athletic life with her other pursuits, and Bartley shares how the discipline and rigor of the JROTC program boost Stapleton's leadership and performance on the court and field. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0tXtla_y20

On the second episode of Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner talk with coach Loren Johnson and quarterback Khristian Martin of Highland Springs High School football. Johnson reflects on 15+ years of dominance leading the Springers, while Martin, who recently committed to the University of Maryland, shares what the college recruiting process is really like. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MEXBMhdg84

On the pilot episode of Sportswire Spotlight, Will Kaderli and Dylan Garner chat with Deep Run High School sophomore Malini Dutta, who is the first girl to start on the Wildcats' JV football team, and varsity coach Joe Mullinax. We discuss what got Malini into football, what it means for Deep Run's program and her future in the sport. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofdxDRSp7XU