Owen High School resumes fall athletic season
Warlassies and Warhorses prepare to compete for first time since Tropical Storm Helene
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
October 17, 2024
The Owen Warlassies return to practice, Oct. 14, as they prepare to resume competition, after Tropical Storm Helene interrupted the season at the end of September. Photo by Fred McCormick
As September approached its final days, the Owen volleyball team had found its rhythm, winning six of the team’s seven matches that month. It all stopped abruptly with the arrival of Tropical Storm Helene.
Twenty days later, as the Warlassies prepare to resume their season at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, at Madison, athletics are a welcome relief for student-athletes competing this fall.
While Buncombe County Schools has yet to announce an official return date for classes, players came back to practice, Oct. 14. Being back has been a welcome distraction for students and staff whose lives were directly impacted by the natural disaster.
Owen’s volleyball, football, soccer, women’s tennis, women’s golf and both cross country teams will all return to competition, with an altered schedule, in the coming days.
“This entire community has experienced a tragic event and a lot of families in this area are really struggling,” said Owen athletic director and head volleyball coach Nikki Roland. “We know athletics can be a good place for us to slowly start bringing some sense of normalcy to the community.”
For Roland’s volleyball team, which reunited last Monday in the Owen Middle School gymnasium for the first time since the storm, being back together has been an emotional experience. The Warlassies missed five games in the nearly three weeks since they were last on the court.
“My seniors walked in, ran and hugged me, and it was an amazing feeling having all of my players back and knowing my girls are safe,” Roland said. “They were so excited to be back on the court and be together, so I loosened up a little bit and let them get in reps while they just enjoyed being around each other.”
All 13 of Roland’s players are returning for the final game of the regular season, after serving at various locations throughout the Swannanoa Valley.
“All of these girls have been out volunteering somewhere in this community these last few weeks,” the coach said. “i really can’t put into words how proud I am of these kids.”
While their effort in the wake of a natural disaster that has displaced countless Swannanoa Valley residents has been commendable, the team’s production on the court was in the spotlight before the season was interrupted. The Warlassies sit in second place in the Western Highlands Conference, while a win over the Patriots would make Owen the top 2A team in the split conference, clinching them a spot in the postseason.
“This is an important game for us, especially since we missed so many games we won’t be able to make up,” Roland said. “Getting back to where we were will be a process, but the girls are focused on competing again.”
The Warhorses and Warlassies cross country teams will also be in Madison County the same day, competing in the WHC Championship meet. Both teams won the event last season and were scheduled to host the event this year, prior to the storm.
Owen soccer was firing on all cylinders back in September, winning three straight matches by a combined score of 17-0. The Warhorses, who won the state championship in 2022 and advanced to the West Regional match last season, are ready for their 3 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 22 return, on the road against Madison, according to head coach Trei Morrison.
Owen soccer head coach Trei Morrision huddles with his team, Oct. 16, as the Warhorses prepare to return to competition later this month. Photo by Fred McCormick
“So far we’ve been working on getting back to our way of playing, that free-flowing and fun style,” he said. “I think it’s important that these players enjoy the experience, considering everything they’ve been through these last few weeks.”
Practicing the game they love offers needed respite from the harsh reality they have faced in the weeks since Helene, the coach continued.
“Socialization is so important for these kids right now, and being around other teenagers, especially in this setting, is beneficial to their mental and physical well-being,” Morrison said. “Reality kind of slapped us all a few weeks ago, and it’s been tough on adults, so we want our kids to have the opportunity to be kids.”
Returning to competition is part of the healing process, according to the coach.
“The stress of everyday life is weighing heavily on everyone right now, so giving them a chance to go out and get away from it all, at least for a little bit, is something we all welcome,” Morrison said.
Owen soccer will attempt to play three remaining regular season matches against WHC competition, before the end of the regular season.
Owen head football coach John Faircloth checks in with sophomore Bear Dasher, Oct. 16, as the Warhorses resume their 2024 season, following Tropical Storm Helene. Photo by Fred McCormick
Time away from the gridiron has been a whirlwind of emotions Owen head football coach John Faircloth, whose team will take the field against Mitchell, Sunday, Oct. 26, at a location to be determined.
“We didn’t really know what to expect,” he said of the program’s return to practice. “We had guys scattered after the storm, in Charlotte, Maiden, Greenville and all over the place. But, they were ready to get back and finish the season.”
The Warhorses will attempt to play three or four more games this season, including contests against conference opponents, Mitchell, Rosman and Madison.
“All these guys felt like it was important to get back out here,” Faircloth said. “We now have a few days to get back in shape and knock the rust off, and, having been off for a few weeks, our roster is healthy now.”
The Warhorses’ mission remains unchanged, he added.
“I believe this is all part of the healing process, and getting these young men back into a structured environment, working together, is a great thing,” Faircloth said. “They’ve always been proud to represent the Swannanoa Valley, and I think putting that uniform on is kind of something they just need to do again.”
As Owen tennis prepares for the NCHSAA 2A West Regional tournament, Friday, Oct. 18, Warlassies golfers are set to tee off in regional competition, Monday, Oct. 21.
While scheduling will likely face challenges in the coming weeks, as BCS facilities remain closed due to water outages from the storm, the effort to get student-athletes back to campus has been worth it, according to Roland.
“We’re all dealing with so many emotions right now, but this is something that we can focus on together and get back on track,” she said. “I just remind my girls all the time that it’s a real privilege that we get to play again, and we have a lot of people in this valley supporting us. Our job, on the court, is to play the game, while appreciating the opportunity to finish the season.”