Five girls from the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula have earned recognition for their athletic accomplishments at St. Margaret’s School. They were among the student-athletes who received awards at the school’s fall sports banquet earlier today.

Senior Martha Joslyn of Tappahannock received the coach’s award for her leadership and positive attitude on the SMS fall crew team. Junior Anna Beth Lawler of Sandy Point was voted the most outstanding defender on the varsity field hockey team. Juniors Ryan Martin and Meghan Cooke, both of Tappahannock, were voted the best defensive player and most improved player, respectively, on the varsity volleyball team. Freshman Rebecca Parker of Walkerton received the most improved player award from the junior varsity volleyball team.

Three students won places on League of Independent Schools’ sports teams. Sophomore Frankie Berscak of Kitty Hawk, NC and junior Crystal Thomas of Severn, MD won places on the all-L.I.S. field hockey team and junior Caroline Casey of Richmond received a spot on the all-L.I.S. cross country team. The students were selected for the honor by a committee of coaches at other L.I.S. schools.

The cross-country team selected Casey as its most valuable runner and senior Michka Sharpe of Kingston, Jamaica was voted most improved. Sophomore Meghan Sisk of Richmond was honored by coaches Frank and Milly Rixey for her positive attitude with a coach’s award. A four-year member of the team, Ellie Schneidman of Alexandria was recognized with a senior award.

Berscak was also voted most valuable player on the field hockey team. Kristen Clayton-White of Washington, DC received an MVP award as well, in addition to a senior award in recognition of her three years of dedicated play.

Varsity volleyball team award winners were seniors Danielle Farara of the British Virgin Islands, voted most valuable player, and Leandra Osei of Silver Spring, MD, voted best offensive player. The team’s most outstanding player was Laura Kelley of Baton Rouge, LA, who also received a senior award for her four years of dedication.

The junior varsity volleyball team voted freshman Jenna Pinder of Nassau, Bahamas its most valuable player.

The crew team voted senior Hannah Kessler of Bethesda, MD most valuable rower and junior Quinn Kolbe of Orefield, PA most improved.

The banquet marked the end of the fall athletic season. Swimming and basketball, and track teams have begun practicing in preparation for winter sports events. Varsity swimming, coached by Kay Brooks Carlton, splashes into action on Friday, November 30 against Fredericksburg Academy. Varsity basketball, coached by Laura Dusablon, and JV basketball, coached by Larry Foulk have their first home tip-off against King & Queen on Wednesday, December 5.