Best of Blair sports

Best girls' team: varsity girls' soccer

After completing an overall 14-2 season this fall, the varsity girls' soccer team is arguably the best team Blair has seen in a long time. Enforced by a strong core of naturally outstanding soccer players, the girls dominated over teams throughout the county during their regular season and were just shy of making it to the state level during playoffs. The team unfortunately lost in the regional semifinals to Quince Orchard 1-0, but coach Robert Gibb is confident that next year's crop of players have the hunger to take the team to the state level. Seniors Annie Worden, Anna Rassman and Molly Brune led the almost undefeated team while juniors Imani Pierre, Jenna Williams, Lauren Kestner and Darcy Pelz-Butler solidified Blair's defense as they worked together as a unit and allowed for Blair's offense to take control of the game. Sophomore Sofia Read led the team with 17 goals and tied the season record for goals in a season. Gibb, though upset about the loss of strong seniors, is looking forward to another successful season in the fall.

Best male athlete: Andrew McGeehee
Senior Andrew McGeehee, co-captain of Blair's swimming team this year, was nationally recognized after beating the All-American qualifying time in 100-meter breaststroke at the Montgomery County Swimming Championship. His quick breaststroke, plus his sheer skill and athleticism in other events, have shown that McGeehee is a force to be reckoned in the water. McGeehee, who is the first Blazer swimmer to ever receive this honor, is one of the best swimmers in the nation, and the best at Blair. McGeehee's record-breaking times and point-scoring swims helped boys' swimming through their undefeated regular season this winter. McGeehee scored first in the two events he swam at counties, helping Blair to score seventh overall. McGeehee's skill comes from years of practice, as he began swimming at age eight. McGeehee joined the Blair team his freshman year and has steadily improved throughout his high school career.

Best moment: Blair football beats Damascus in overtime
The Blair varsity football team pleased legions of fans this year when they sprung back after a 0-10 season in fall 2008 to finish this year's season 5-5. Amongst many hard-fought games, one stands out in the minds of players and fans. On Halloween night, the varsity football team secured a close victory over the defending 3A state champion Damascus in overtime. After losing to Damascus in blowout games for the past two years, the Blazers were ready for a taste of victory. Blair began the game strong, keeping but the lead went back and forth throughout the game as each team exchanged blows. Unfortunately, Damascus soon found their way through Blair's defense and had tied it up toward the end of the fourth quarter. Blair scored again but did not make the extra point, putting the Blazers ahead a mere six points close to the finish of the game. With two minutes left, a Damascus player ran the ball down the field and scored, but senior corner back Chernor Jah blocked their kicker's extra point attempt and sent the game into overtime. Senior quarterback Victor Wang scored the winning touchdown on a quarterback bootleg keeper, and senior co-captain linebacker Andy Holmes secured the victory with the game winning sack. With a rush of adrenaline and amazing defense, Blair was able to overcome Damascus during the overtime, winning the game 28-26 and sending coaches, fans and players into hysterics over one of the biggest upsets of the year. Later, when the Blazers faced Seneca Valley's football team, they received a standing ovation for their Halloween night game play.

Best female athlete: Annie Worden
Senior midfielder Annie Worden is Coach Robert Gibb's "midfield general" on the girls' varsity soccer team. A starter since her freshman year, Worden has been leading the team to victory throughout her time at Blair. She has set the record for most goals overall for four years at Blair and has been named the team's most valuable player (MVP) every year. She was named an All-Division player her freshman and sophomore years while setting the record for consecutive goals in the 2005 season with 15 goals and three assists. Worden was an All-Gazette player her junior year and beat her own 2005 record for goals in the 2007 season with 17 goals and 11 assists. This year, Worden along with her fellow dynamite seniors led Blair's girls' varsity soccer team to one of their best seasons in history and Worden was named an All State first team and All Gazette player. She helped the girls' team win many games in their 10-1 regular season, and scored the game winning point during their playoff game against Churchill during overtime. There is no question that Worden can handle the ball, but her ability to direct the tempo of the game for the rest of the players on the field is commendable. Worden was recruited by Fordham University and will play soccer there next year in the Atlantic 10 conference.

Best boys' team: boys' swimming
Led by All-American swimmer senior and co-captain Andrew McGeehee and junior co-captains Nate Hukill and Jeffrey Lin, the boys' swimming team dominated this winter season. They finished the regular season undefeated, with a record of 5-0, and placed second at the divisional competition and fifth at the countywide competition. The Blazer team is deep with talented swimmers and sent several to Metros to compete against swimmers from 54 other schools. Senior Andrew McGeehee placed second at Metros in the 100-meter breastroke and sixth in the 50-meter freestyle. Sophomore Eric Ruggieri was another significant asset to the team, swimming the third fastest time at Metros in the 100-meter breastroke. Junior co-captain Jeffrey Lin placed 14th in 100-meter butterfly and ninth in 200-meter butterfly at Metros. With so many swimmers qualifying for Metros, Blair was able to show off its squad's talent. With a promising and wide core of underclassmen and lots of hard work in the offseason, the boys are ready to continue their success next year.