Bishop Ireton High School | Archive | November, 2009

Ireton Expands Concussion Treatment Program

Posted on 28 November 2009 by .

Concussions and sports are in the news as Congress sets to take up hearings on the issue and professional football’s response to concussions.  Bishop Ireton’s sports medicine has been active with this issue and moved recently to expand its concussion monitoring program. 

In addition to the supervision of Ireton’s sport medicine department, the School began utilizing a sophisticated, research-based program called ImPACT in 2007, and has tracked concussion injuries with football players for the past three seasons.  Beginning this fall, athletic department physician, Dr. Kathleen McHale, and athletic trainer, Matt Horton, have expanded the ImPACT program to include all sports where physical contact or the potential for concussion makes tracking each athlete reasonable.

ImPACT was designed by a team of doctors at the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 and they established the ImPACT program in 2002.  ImPACT is a computer test designed to help clinicians evaluate the recovery of athletes following a concussion.  Basically, the program allows programs to administer a computer test to each athlete to establish a baseline of the cognitive status of the subject prior to a concussion injury. In the event of a possible concussion, follow-up ImPACT tests can offer cognitive results to compare with earlier baseline data. 

While developers point out that CT scans and MRIs can detect the fractures and hematomes, they are not effective in identifying the functional damage resulting from the concussion.  Before ImPACT, athletic trainers and physicians had to rely on more subjective observation and self reporting in making determinations about an athlete’s concussion and fitness for participation.  With the addition of this tool to the Cardinals’ sports medicine program, a computer-based evaluation has added critical information to the process of injury management. 

Currently 28 NFL teams, 18 MLB teams, MLS, US Lacrosse, US Hockey, and over 300 colleges use the ImPACT program in addition to more than 1,000 high schools across America.  “We are starting the winter season by testing our hockey and basketball players as well as all our wrestlers,” said Horton of the expanded program. “We will continue the expanded baseline testing in the spring as well.” 

Aided by the IT department at Ireton, dozens of athletes are tested in computer labs to establish baseline profiles for possible future use. The program also allows for baseline and follow-up test results to be anonymously forwarded to Pittsburgh for on-going concussion research by the test’s developers or for more expert advice. 

At Bishop Ireton the five-step approach to using the program includes working with the athletes, coaches, and sports medicine department to properly educate them on concussion management. From there the preseason baseline testing is accomplished.  In the case of a possible injury, the sideline evaluation is conducted to determine if an athlete needs to be removed from participation. Step 4 is the post-concussion testing with the ImPACT program and finally, the return-to-play decision by clinicians that are aided by the test results that are medically-based.

More information on the program is available at www.iimpacttest.com or by contacting Mr. Horton in the sports medicine office, (703) 212-5171.

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Ireton’s Connaughton Third Team WCAC Volleyball

Posted on 25 November 2009 by .

 A cast of Ireton seniors finished their high school careers with conference honors when the WCAC released its all conference selections in Washington recently. Courtney Connaughton, selected by the conference’s coaches to the league’s third team, was joined by D’Elia Chandler, Katherine Boyd and Lauren Monroe, who were honorable mention honorees for Coach Kathy Gutmann’s graduating class of seniors. 

Connaughton played “opposite” the setters on most Ireton formations and patrolled the net aggressively. She remembers the senior night game as a highlight of her final season, which included a dramatic play back from a fifth seed in the Fredericksburg Christian tournament to win the championship earlier in the campaign.  “The crowd was big and behind us. We had worked hard all summer and that was the final night at home. Losing three straight at St Johns, we knew it was going to be a battle and winning 3-2 was very exciting and satisfying for the whole team, but particularly for us as seniors.” explained the four-year player. 

The senior from Prince William County is looking to Mississippi State, Texas Tech, or Drexel as possible next stops in her educational journey to college. She hasn’t ruled out a walk-on possibility in college.

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Katrina Guillou, Nick Galdos Tabbed all WCAC

Posted on 25 November 2009 by .

 The Cardinals’ speedy sophomore Katrina Guillou was a first-team, all WCAC selection as a forward for the 2009 campaign, while the boys’ team saw junior Nick Galdos named to the third-team, all-conference squad, the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference announced recently in Washington.

Guillou, the Cardinals leading scorer with 10 goals on the season, was an easy choice for the honor.  Her blazing speed and exceptional ball skills made her a tough opponent to mark with a single defender throughout the season.  “She a very special player, gifted with speed and great skills, a lot of fun to watch, that is for sure!” commented Ireton Athletic Director Bill Simmons.  “I know her coach was thrilled to see her recognized as a first team performer, that was our evaluation as well.”

Junior Nick Galdos returned to soccer after a season playing junior varsity football for the Cardinals. Though he enjoyed the season, Galdos returned to soccer for his junior campaign.  “I enjoy both sports,” commented the dark haired younger brother of senior girls’ defender Jackie Galdos. “I guess I have some decisions ahead, the football coaches told me they still have a spot for me on the team.”  Galdos thought his best performance for the Cardinals was in the senior day game against St Johns. “We had a good feeling about the game, we definitely wanted our seniors to go out well on their last game.  I felt like that was one time where I really played well on the offensive and defensive sides of the field, helping create offense as well as stopping St. Johns.”  He credited hard work in the off season and a good turnout by his teammates as keys to the improvement in the Ireton game. 

The WCAC also recognized midfielders senior Stephanie Kapurch  and sophomore Ciana Puglise,  and defender freshman Emily Gupton from Bishop Ireton.  The Cardinals saw seniors Evan Guidry, Peter Giambone, and junior Daniel O’Keefe selected by the league’s coaches as honorable mentions for their work in Coach Jon Norem’s (Ireton class of 1989) first season at the helm for the Cards.

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Irwin, Tela sign National Letters of Intent

Posted on 24 November 2009 by .

Bishop Ireton High School Athletic Director Bill Simmons announced the signings of two members of the Varsity Girls Lacrosse team to college commitments today, Madeline Irwin and Janet Tela. Joined by Principal Tim Hamer, Athletic Director Bill Simmons, Coaches Steve Tela and Caroline Miller as well as teammates and family members, the seniors signed National Letters of Intent to compete at division I programs starting in the fall of 2010.

Players formally making official collegiate commitments are Madeline Irwin (University of Maryland-Baltimore County) of Annandale, and Janet Tela (University of Connecticut) of Alexandria, Virginia.


Bishop Ireton finished the 2009 season ranked #25 in the nation with a 19-4 overall record, advancing to the finals of the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference and Virginia Independent School state semifinals. Last season’s team also posted an impressive collection of awards and accolades including four All-Americans, five Academic All-Americans, five All-Met selections, six All Area, three first-team All-State, six first-team All-WCAC and three second-team All-WCAC. Bishop Ireton also sent five players to the US Lacrosse Women’s Division National Tournament. The Cardinals return 9 varsity players in 2010, including 7 seniors.   The squad will open the 2010 campaign at home against St. Stephens & St. Agnes on March 17th.

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Ireton Skaters Win Hockey Opener 11-0

Posted on 23 November 2009 by .

The Bishop Ireton Ice Hockey team opened its season on Friday, November 20th, by dominating a combined TC Williams/Washington-Lee squad 11-0 at Tucker Road Ice Rink in Ft. Washington, MD. The BI squad was led by Tom Cyrnak with 4 goals and 1 assist, and Dillon Roach with 2 goals and 2 assists. Also chipping in goals for BI were Nick Tangora, Reid Yager, Dave Souliotis, Tommy Casey and Joe Lavelle, each with 1 goal. William Chastain, James Smith, Souliotis, Yager, N. Tangora, and Lavelle registered assists. Robert Chastain posted his first shutout of the season, stopping 12 shots. Next up for Coach Tony DiCarlo’s  Cardinals is a 5pm, Dec 1st  showdown with St. Mary’s Ryken at Tucker Road Ice Rink, 1770 Tucker Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744.

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Fall Good to Cardinal Crew

Posted on 09 November 2009 by .


The Cardinal Rowers finished up one of the most successful fall seasons on record. The Cardinals rowed against some fast high school and club composite programs. The Womens Varsity 8+ had a strong finish ahead of all of the high school programs at Head of the Occoquan this past weekend while losing to the club composite squads. Furthermore, the Mens Varsity 4+ had a strong finish. Bishop Ireton not only had students on the BI squad but also had rowers training under the most competitive fall club composite teams. Thaddeus Babiec, Patrick Walsh, Garrett Hulfiish and Ally Freeland were among those who competed at the Old Dominion Boat Club and the Occoquan Juniors Club.


Overall, the crew program has been continuing to become more competitive each year while maintaining a positive atmosphere for athletes, allowing anyone to participate. The program has grown to over 70 students, built a competitive coaching staff, and re-organized its fleet of boats to become successful. The coaches have been using a positive philosophy over the past few years and have been implementing the push from the bottom method of coaching. This approach primarily engages the novice and freshmen to be the leaders on the team. The 2007, 2008, and 2009 Novice/Freshmen class has been able to develop into the now mature, successful varsity squad. In years past, the Ireton Crew team has had a smaller varsity squad. Now coaches have shifted the philosophy to pulling from the top. This engages the varsity athletes to be the leaders and set the tone of the team for the underclassmen.


Any future success this spring for Ireton Crew team will be a direct result of the returning varsity squads. With their leadership and success they have as novices poises them to lead the program successfully. Furthermore, the Ireton crew team has a strong group of novices which in combination with the upperclassmen will bring the team up a notch competitively.


The Crew team is still welcoming students for the spring season and is having a Spring Crew Registration Meeting for all new and returning rowers on Thursday, November 12th at 7:00pm in the Cafeteria. The meeting is for both students and parents.

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Fr Godley Gym gets New Scoreboards

Posted on 04 November 2009 by .

 Fair-Play of Des Moines, Iowa, Time Technologies of Roanoke, Virginia, and the Bishop Ireton Athletic Booster Club teamed up to give alittle “facelift” to Father George Godley Gymnasium, just in time for the winter basketball and wrestling seasons.  “The kids in physical education were awed and excited as the new, larger scoreboards were hoisted into place and tested during the school day on Tuesday.” said Cardinals’ athletic director, Bill Simmons. “This gift from the Athletic Boosters is a tremendous upgrade in our facility.  The old scoreboards were more than 25 years old. Repairs were becoming more frequent and expensive. It was time to upgrade and the generosity of the Club made it possible. I can’t tell you how much the kids, not only basketball, but also wrestlers, volleyball players and gym classes will appreciate and enjoy these new scoreboards.”

The scoreboards, with LED displays rather than bulbs as used in the previous board, give a brighter display and the ability to visually record player fouls and points in basketball, digs and kills in volleyball, and weight class and match scores in wrestling.  Backboard lighting will allow referees clear visual signal that the period has ended for basketball with an orange flourscent lighting on each backboard.  Another highlight is the ability to display team names specifically rather than the more generic “home” and “visitor” on most scoreboards.  Like the old board, the new system will allow for split operations. When Ireton hosts its annual wrestling tournament, each board will operate independently of the other to cover the two mats simultaneously in use.

The basic installation took little more than a day, training for the system will be conducted in mid November.  

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