William Copeland, Class of 2004

Swimming

While at RCHS, William Copeland swam and played soccer through 10th grade. He won the 50 yard freestyle and placed second in the 100 yard freestyle at the high school state championship meet in 2003. After a good junior year, William broke out his senior season in 2004, winning and setting state records at the Virginia High School State Championship in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle, and leading RCHS to team victories and state records in the 200 yard freestyle relay and 400 yard freestyle relay. After his senior year of high school, he went on to swim at the University of California Berkeley. He improved year over year, placing 4th and 5th in the 100 yard and 50 yard freestyles at the NCAA Championship meet his senior season in 2008, and leading the Golden Bears to a 4th place team finish in addition to winning MVP honors for his team that season. Six months after turning pro, William won the 100 yard freestyle and placed second in the 50 yard freestyle at short course Nationals Championships in Atlanta. William continued to swim professionally for a number of years, being named to the US National Team several times. He represented the United States at the World University Games in 2009 in Belgrad, Serbia. He was named team captain for that meet, and broke the meet record in the 100 meter freestyle, leading the USA to a gold medal in the 400 meter freestyle relay. He also represented the US in 2011 at the Pan American games in Guadalajara, Mexico where he won 3 medals. After a 2 year break from the sport, he moved to Sydney, Australia to train for the 2016 Olympic Trials, where he placed 9th in the 50 meter freestyle, and 7th in the 100 meter freestyle, missing the Olympic team by one spot. He now lives in San Francisco and owns and runs a learn-to-swim school and swim team in nearby Marin County.

John Crews, Class of 2003

Cross Country and Track

While at RCHS, John Crews was the 2002 Cross Country State Champion and two-time Indoor Track 1000m State Champion (2001 and 2002). He set the AA record for 1000m (since broken) and led the Cross Country team to runner-up finishes at the 2001 and 2002 State Championships. He also finished 13th at the 2003 Junior National Cross Country Championships and ran 9:02 for 3200m. John ran Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track at Division I North Carolina State University, where he was the 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track 5000m Champion, 6-time All-ACC, and 3-time NCAA All-Region. He qualified for the US Olympic Marathon Trials in 2012 and 2020 and won 7 marathons post collegiately, including Philadelphia, Raleigh, Vermont City.

Marty Early, Class of 1994

Football, Basketball, and Track

While at RCHS, Marty Early was a standout football, basketball, and outdoor track athlete. During his football career he earned first-team All-District recognition his junior and senior year in the Fall of 1992 and 1993. Marty also was recognized as a second team All-Region member in 1993. In basketball, he was a first team All-District performer his 9-12 grade years from 1991-1994. Marty was also an accomplished athlete in indoor and outdoor track earning multiple district and region titles, as well as placing in state competition. After his time at RCHS, Marty played men’s basketball at Lynchburg College where he was part of three ODAC conference championship teams.

Keely Fresh, Class of 2015

Basketball and Lacrosse

While at RCHS, Keely Fresh led the RCHS girls’ basketball team to its first winning season in school history in 2014-15, when the Wildcats went 15-10. Fresh was named conference player of the year and to the all-state first team, finishing her RCHS career as the school’s all-time leader in career scoring with 1,451 points and 3-pointers with 161. Keely also played girls lacrosse at RCHS, becoming 1st Team All-American in 2015. She helped lead the Wildcats to an overall winning record, with 32 wins from 2012-15. Keely signed with St. Bonaventure University in New York. During her freshman year, she helped the Bonnies make the NCAA tournament and pull off an upset of Oklahoma State before falling to Oregon State.

Amanda (Strickler) Green, Class of 2002

Lacrosse

While at RCHS, Amanda Green was a captain on the girls’ lacrosse team from 2000-2002. She led the team to two State Runner-up finishes in 2001 and 2002. Amanda was the team Offensive MVP in 2001 and 2002, while also earning Jefferson District Player of the Year in 2002. She was also recognized by US Lacrosse her Junior and Senior year with Honorable Mention All-American honors in 2001 and earning 1st Team All American in 2002. Amanda continued her athletic career playing women’s lacrosse at Washington and Lee winning ODAC conference championships in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. She was recognized as a Captain her Senior year in 2006 and also earned ODAC Player of the Year honors in 2006.

Marcus Mayo, Class of 2007

Football and Basketball

While at RCHS, Marcus Mayo led the Wildcat football team his senior year to the 2006 VHSL Group AA state championship game where they finished as the runner-up. In that playoff run he completed 46 passes for 772 yards and 7 touchdowns in four playoff games. Marcus was recognized his senior year by the Associated Press earning a spot on Second Team All Group AA team. Marcus also played boys’ basketball while at RCHS, and was recognized as a three-time Valley District first team player, earning player of the year honors his senior year in 2007. He earned first team all group AA state honors, and Marcus was named the 2007 Timesland (Roanoke Times) player of the year in both football and basketball. After leaving RCHS, Marcus played both football and basketball at Ferrum College. While at Ferrum he was named USA South All Conference first team for both basketball and football. In 2010 is was named USA South offensive player of the year.

Andrew Rowsey, Class of 2013

Basketball, Football, and Baseball

While at RCHS, Andrew Rowsey played basketball, football, and baseball. Andrew led the Wildcats boys’ basketball team to the Group AA state semi-finals his junior year in 2012. He was a four-time first-team all-district, four-time first team all-region, and three-time first team all-state player. He was named the Timesland (Roanoke Times) player of year following his junior and senior seasons in 2012 and 2013. Andrew finished his career at RCHS as the schools’ all-time leading scorer with 2,637 points. He also holds the single game scoring record at RCHS with 60 points. Andrew finished as the second highest scorer in Virginia high school history (since broken). Andrew was also recognized as the state player of the year his senior season in 2013. After leaving RCHS, Andrew continued his athletic career at UNC Asheville playing on the men’s basketball team. He was named to the first-team All-Big South team his freshman year, while earning Big South Conference Player of the Year. He was named second-team All-Big South his sophomore season. Andrew transferred to Marquette for his junior and senior seasons earning the Big East Conference Sixth Man of the Year. Over his four years of playing college basketball Andrew scored over 2,000 points. Andrew has played professional basketball overseas and currently plays in the NBA G-League.

Jennifer (Vest) Showalter, Class of 1994

Basketball and Track

While at RCHS, Jennifer Showalter was a standout track athlete. She was the Blue Ridge District champion in the 300 meter hurdles and 200-meter dash. Jennifer still holds the record in the Blue Ridge District for the 300 meter hurdles. She was the Region 3 champion in the 300 meter hurdles and 200-meter dash. Jennifer placed second in the state in the 300 meter hurdles and placed fifth in the 100-meter hurdles. She was the 1994 State Champion in the 55 meter hurdles. Jennifer still holds the school records at RCHS in the 100-meter hurdles, 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 55-meter dash, 55-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles, the long jump, and triple jump. After graduating from RCHS, Jennifer went on to run track and field at Appalachian State University. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 1999. Jennifer is the current Head Track and Field Coach at RCHS for the past 16 years.

Jimmy Dale, Contributor

The RCHS Athletic Department would like to show thanks and sincere gratitude for the dedication and service to our softball team that Mr. Jimmy Dale has provided over the years. Mr. Dale has been a contributor to Rockbridge County softball athletes for many years allowing teams and players access to his hitting and pitching facilities that he built to support local softball. Once RCHS opened in the 1992-1993 school year, Mr. Dale has been a provider of his time and resources working on our softball fields and encouraging and mentoring countless RCHS athletes.

Jerry Roane, Contributor

The RCHS Athletic Department would like to show thanks and sincere gratitude for the dedication and service to our softball team that Mr. Jerry Roane provided over the years. Mr. Roane was a contributor to Rockbridge County athletics starting softball teams even before our local schools provided softball teams. Once RCHS opened in the 1992-1993 school year, Mr. Roane became a big provider of his time and resources working on our softball fields and encouraging and mentoring countless RCHS athletes.