2009 Student Athletes of the Year: Ryan Hagen and Kerry Sarver

Photos by Alysia Deem
Special to LoudounPrepSports.com

By Dan Sousa
LoudounPrepSports.com Senior Content Editor

(June 18, 2009) – The accomplishments of Loudoun County High School senior Kerry Sarver and Potomac Falls High School senior Ryan Hagen in the classroom and in their communities would have warranted a success story on its own but the fact that these two incredible young adults excelled in three sports during their high school careers makes it headline news. LoudounPrepSports.com and College Vision is pleased to honor Sarver and Hagen as the 2009 Student Athletes of the Year.

Sarver graduates LC with three state titles in hand and multiple regional and district titles. The setter helped the Raiders to three straight AA volleyball state title appearances including back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008. In basketball, as a point guard, she helped LC to claim the county’s first ever state title in basketball as the Raiders won the AA Division 4 title this winter. And in tennis, Sarver and doubles partner Megan Hurley not only won district titles for themselves these past two seasons but the duo teamed to lead LC to an undefeated Dulles District season in 2009 and regular-season and tournament titles.

Hagen helped the Potomac Falls cross country team win four consecutive Dulles District titles and last fall the Panthers became the first Loudoun team to win the Region II title. Hagne finished 14th in the state as the Panthers took third in the team race. In wrestling, Hagen helped Potomac Falls to back-to-back Dulles District titles and Hagen captured district and regional titles at 152 pounds. In the track and field season, Hagen finished third in the state in the 800 meters and helped the PF 4×800 meter relay team finish runner-up.

We asked the coaches who know Sarver and Hagen best to tell us a little about these special athletes. See below for their comments.

LoudounPrepSports.com founder Dan Sousa on Sarver and Hagen: I started LPS four years ago when Ryan and Kerry were freshmen. It has been a pleasure to watch their accomplishments and see them grow into the confident young adults they are. I will miss covering them as they move onto college but I can’t wait to see what great things they achieve down the road. Best of luck to both!

We have put together a collection of photos and videos from our LPS archives of Hagen and Sarver so click on the photo or video icons above to enjoy!

Kerry Sarver

Senior, Loudoun County High School

Volleyball
Basketball

Tennis

Jenica Matthias, Raider Volleyball Coach

Kerry Sarver, the ultimate team player, was a Varsity Volleyball Player for three years, and each year showed great determination toward the ultimate goal of winning a championship. She took each stepping stone one match at a time, and raised her game to a higher level for the betterment of the team. She is not concerned with individual awards. She understands the team concept and when the team wins everyone wins. She was always improving her skills to help her teammates improve too. She is a joy of laughter and the first one to cheer for her teammates when they did something GREAT! She brought a calm, but confident morale to the court, and a never give up attitude that brought the players together to achieve greatness.

– Jenica Matthias

Kevin Reed, Raiders Girls Basketball Coach

Kerry Sarver is the perfect choice for your Student Athlete of the Year. Obviously, the public sees her tremendous accomplishments in helping her team’s to multiple District, Region, and State Championships. However, what they don’t see is the student-athlete who is a hard working and caring teammate. She pushes herself to be the best and her leadership is unparallel. She is a role model to all young girls, my two included, and I feel blessed to say I have coached her.

— Kevin Reed

Courtney Wilhelm, Raiders Assistant Volleyball Coach

A few thoughts on Kerry Sarver – as an assistant varsity volleyball coach and a coach of other sports at County I have seen Kerry play through all three seasons. She is a fantastic young lady with an awesome personality. Kerry takes pride in herself and in her actions. She works very hard at every sport (volleyball, basketball and tennis) she plays and takes pride in her accomplishments. As a senior she has accomplished at least three state titles, as well as many runner-ups. She has always taken care of those girls who are younger and is an outstanding role model to them as well. Kerry has always offered an extra helping hand during practices and really takes the time to learn the sport and help others understand the sport as well. She cares for her teammates and respects them. The past few years with Kerry have been very fun and exciting, she is just such a fun young lady!

— Courtney Wilhem

Ryan Hagen

Senior, Potomac Falls High School

Cross Country
Wrestling

Track and Field

Rob Puterio, Panther Wrestling Coach

Ryan is probably one of the best all around athletes I have ever coached. He is a machine … it is almost impossible to challenge him while training him in conjunction with other high school kids. He is a fierce competitor who drives himself intrinsically. He never quits and knows no limits. On the wrestling mat, his physical prowess is coupled with mat sense and intelligence. He wastes no time and takes very calculated risks. He leads by example and causes everyone around him to elevate their game and mentality.

— Rob Puterio

Dolph Null, Panther Cross Country Coach and Assistnat Track and Field Coach

What do you say about one of the finest young men that you have ever coached in a career that has spanned 33 years? I know that my life has been truly made richer by my experience with Ryan and that it will be made poorer by his departure. My coaching experience with this year’s group of seniors has been unparalleled by anything I have experienced in the past. Ryan has had a major impact on me personally and has had a tremendous impact on his fellow teammates, our running program, and school community. It pleases me that he is held in such high regard, not only by those of us that know Ryan personally, but also by the coaches and athletes from other schools. Ryan is a very humble and unassuming young man. He works hard, plays hard, and takes whatever life hands him in stride. He lets his athletic accomplishments speak for themselves. Ryan’s work ethic is impeccable and it can be witnessed in the way he runs. I have never coached an athlete with such courage and heart. I witness his pleasure when he runs and it makes my heart soar. In closing, Ryan anchored our 4 X 800 meter relay to a win yesterday (at the Region II meet) … how selfless … considering the fact that he would be facing a fresh Tyler Stutzman from Western Albemarle in the open 800 meter. All of the things that I have mentioned about Ryan were exhibited in this race. He ran his best race of the season at 1:53.54 … I believe .06 of a second behind Stutzman for second place. He worked hard, played hard, took what life handed him, and left it all on the track. Less than 30 minutes later, back on the track, he ran an unofficial 49 second leg on the 4 X 400 meter relay. Anytime Ryan “toes it up”, you will get the absolute most that he has to give. As Ryan leaves me, I know he will make someone else a great runner, great student, great employee, great husband, and great father. That’s all Ryan knows how to be… a great person.

— Dolph Null

Paul Gilmore responds to our pick of Ryan Hagen:

Wise selection on Ryan Hagen as your athlete of the year. A truly incredible competitor and inspiring young man. You asked for stories; here’s my favorite Ryan Hagen story.

September 2007; Wednesday afternoon in Algonkian Park. Potomac Falls Panthers are hosting Heritage Pride in the first cross country meet on the Panthers’ new home course. The course brings runners out of the woods and down a bicycle path that crosses the main park road with about 600 meters to go.

I was stationed on that road to block traffic as the runners crossed. The Panthers’ Josh Hardin was leading the race (as always) and was over the horizon and out of sight by the time Heritage’s Jesse Saldana approached the road crossing with Ryan Hagen a couple of steps behind. As Saldana and Hagen drew near, I took my position in the road and blocked traffic like a state champion safety patrol. Standing firmly in the line of traffic with an outstretched harm in the “halt, who goes there” position, I was prepared to stop a column of tanks to protect these runners.

Unfortunately, to Saldana, racing this course for the first time, my outstretched arm appeared to mean “turn left” and that’s exactly what he did. Before I could open my mouth, Hagen yelled, “Jesse! Wrong way!”

Think about that. Think about it in the full context. At that point, Hagen had never beaten Saldana in a cross country race. The previous year, the Panthers’ margin of victory over Heritage was 1 point. 1 POINT!!!! Hagen had no idea what was going on behind him; his teammates could have fallen in the woods for all he knew and he may have absolutely had to beat Saldana to preserve the team victory. And he yells, “Jesse! Wrong way.”

Have you ever heard a linebacker tell an offensive tackle he’s lined up off sides and he better correct himself or he’ll be penalized?

Have you ever heard a catcher tell a batter his foot is out of the batter’s box and he’d better step in or he’ll be called out?

That’s effectively what Hagen did.

Hurt his team? No, just demonstrated the sportsmanship that is part of the fabric of the sport of cross country.

He also showed us a couple of things about the character of Ryan Hagen:

First, he is a true sportsman.

Second, he will beat you; but, he will not accept a cheap win.

That’s exactly what happened that day. Saldana immediately resumed the correct path only losing a few yards in the wrong turn; but, Hagen beat him by a large margin, far more than could be attributed to any wrong turn.

Live long and prosper, Ryan.

And, if someone from someplace like Duke takes a wrong turn in the ACC championships, you just keep going. The ACC pays enough guys to put them back on course.

Panther Pride.

Hokie Strong.

— Paul Gilmore

Are you a teammate, coach, opponent, or friend of Kerry Sarver or Ryan Hagen and want to add your commnets on Sarver to this story? Email us at dsousa@digitalsports.com