Author: Dave Facinoli

Dave Facinoli grew up in Prince George’s County, Md. and attended Friendly High School. After attending Prince’s George Community College and James Madison University, where he covered sports on both college papers, he launched a local newspaper career that included roles as the sports editor of the Alexandria Gazette, the Arlington Sun Gazette and GazetteLeader, and other local papers.

Sports

Langley golfers win eighth straight region championship

By Dave Facinoli
Langley High School 2024 6D North Region champions (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

Few argued that Sophie Cao was the outright individual star of this week’s 6D North Region golf tournament.

The Langley Saxons’ sophomore not only shot a second-round, 4-under-par 68 to rally and win the individual championship with a two-day, 36-hole score of 72-68-140.

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Sports

Potomac School defensive back reflects on two-touchdown game

By Dave Facinoli
Potomac School's Jake Adamec heads to the end zone on a 45-yard interception return against St. John's Catholic Prep. (photo by Becky Cullinan/Potomac School football)

For a defensive back in football, the biggest dream, goal and thrill is always to return an interception or fumble for a touchdown, no matter at what level of play.

With a couple of heady and opportunistic maneuvers, Potomac School’s Jake Adamec fulfilled both in the span of about three minutes during the first half of the Panthers’ 48-22 defeat of St. John’s Catholic Prep on Sept. 6 in non-conference action.

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Sports

Langley, Madison football teams enjoy 5-0 starts to season

By Dave Facinoli
Madison High School football players huddle against Chantilly (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

For the first time in program history, the Langley Saxons are off to a 5-0 start in high-school football action.

With another strong performance, Langley earned its fifth straight win this fall by defeating the host Lightridge Bolts of Aldie, 38-13, on Sept. 27 in Loudoun County.

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Sports

Potomac School wins third straight football game by defeating visiting Saints

By Dave Facinoli
Potomac School head football coach Dan Wolff talks to the team after it defeated St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (staff photo by Dave Facinoli)

After an opening-game loss, the Potomac School Panthers (3-1) have found a winning formula and bounced back strong to win three straight football games.

The private-school team’s latest victory was 20-14 in McLean over the visiting St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Saints of Alexandria on Sept. 28 in non-conference play.

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Sports

Langley HS ends golf district title streak with second place finish

By Dave Facinoli
The Langley High School golf team finished second in the Liberty District tournament (courtesy of Langley golf team)

They rallied and came close with a second-round surge, but the nine-year run as Liberty District golf champions came to an end this season for the Langley Saxons.

Langley also had won 14 of the last 15 of the district’s high-school crowns.

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News

Northern Va. Swimming League Opens Saturday; Others Already Have Started

By Dave Facinoli
Close-up of Gazette Leader newspaper mastheads with a bold 'FROM THE ARCHIVES' banner overlaying the pages.

From Arlington to McLean to Great Falls and into Oakton and Vienna, the many teams in the GazetteLeader’s coverage areas are set to go for the beginning of the 2024 summertime Northern Virginia Swimming league season, which opens Saturday morning, June 15.

Starters’ horns will sound at 9 a.m. to begin the first races for the 17-division league’s 102 teams, which have a short five-week regular season followed by two more weekends of postseason competitions.

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