The Virginia High School League recently announced its first and second All-State team picks in each division of each sport, and several athletes at Bedford were recognized as one of the best players in the state of Virginia. Every athlete listed was a major reason each of the teams at Bedford had a great season.
In Staunton River, a girls softball player was named to the second team of the 3A All-State. Ally Davison was a senior outfielder for the Golden Eagles that year, whose contributions both on the field and plate were a major reason the women’s softball team posted an 18-5 record that put them close to the regional championship game, but more importantly, the state peaked tournament. Davison was the only athlete to receive state-level awards for the Golden Eagles this year. From early games like the home game against the Liberty Minutemen, where she started a string of goals, it was clear this was going to be a strong season for the senior. The stats only started accumulating from then on. She has helped contribute to a strong offensive team that has over 170 runs this year. Despite the offensive dominance, the defense wasn’t half as bad either, they hardly let balls get past them in the outfield. The defense only allowed seventy-two runs total for the season, which isn’t bad considering the state’s second-ranked team allowed ninety-nine, for example. Earning an All-State title in her senior year of high school must be a major achievement in her life, but for now she’ll continue to develop her talents in life, where she’s likely to be just as dominant.
Izzy Wedemeyer is a name that anyone who plays the Cavaliers has come to fear. The junior midfielder is a dominant ball handler and has an impeccable IQ on offense. If anyone has ever attended a women’s soccer game in Jefferson Forest, chances are you’ve yelled Wedemeyer’s name over the speakers at least once. She headlined a large number of athletes that made up the Jefferson Forest All District team, was named Seminole Player of the Year and is now capping her amazing season with a 2nd team All State selection. Their dominance and leadership are a big reason the Cavaliers were among the top teams in the state, overtaking most of their competition that year. If it weren’t for Western Albemarle, whose girls team ranks in the top 100 nationally, the Cavs could easily have secured a potential state championship title. The offensive scored 69 goals that year, Wedemeyer being one of the main reasons for that. Despite the successes this year, Wedemeyer will be back at Jefferson Forest next year with a goal of playing an even more dominant season. All signs point to Wedemeyer also signing up to play football for Liberty University next year. So it will be important to watch what she decides about her future.
Jefferson Forest not only found success in women’s football but also in men’s football. Three athletes made the first all-state team this year. Senior Chris Wiley, junior Haisten Linn and junior goaltender Tyler Beck were all recognized as the top athletes at their respective positions in the state of Virginia. All three led a team that enjoyed great success in 2023. Under her leadership and with stellar coaching, the Cavaliers conceded just four goals all of the regular season and put on a strong run in the postseason that saw the Red-Blacks claim the regional championship trophy. Had it not been for a slow offensive start against Jamestown, they could have conceivably won the state title in the next game. Not getting past a national championship with a quality squad like the one they have is always difficult, but the fact that two of the three are returning for 2024 means in all likelihood they’ll be able to compete again next year to return the favour.
Each athlete selected for all states is the best that Virginia has to offer in their respective sport. All their hard work has been recognized and rewarded. It will be exciting to see where the graduates go and how much achievement each returning athlete will have in 2024.
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