Christina Bassett comes to Bishop O'Connell after three years at the helm of the crew program at St. John's College High School, where she oversaw the land and water training programs, and successfully coached competitive teams at the local and national level. She has also serves the junior development program at Thompson Boat Center in Washington, D.C. Coach Bassett was a scholarship rower at Temple University, where she was named MVP in 1992.
“Coach Bassett has extensive experience at the high school and youth coaching ranks,” said O’Connell’s Athletic Director Joe Wootten. “Her experience and whole program approach will allow our crew program to flourish.”
Students and their parents interested in meeting Coach Bassett and finding out more about the crew program at Bishop O’Connell are invited to a team open house at Thompson Boat Center on Saturday, Sep. 6. For more information, contact cbassett@bishopoconnell.org.
Keith Williams-Parker is a 2001 graduate of Bishop O’Connell, where he was co-captain of the wrestling team under Coach Bill Carpenter. Coach Williams-Parker had 142 varsity wins and was the 2000 Virginia Independent School state champion. He also wrestled for Team Virginia in both freestyle and Greco Roman. He previously served as assistant coach at Chantilly High School and is currently coaching both professional and amateur mixed martial artists in the local area. He is a graduate of Radford University.
“We are excited to have Coach Williams-Parker assume the leadership of our program,” said Wootten. “He is a former O’Connell wrestler who has not only an incredible passion for the sport, but also for our school. I am confident in his abilities to lead us to the top of the WCAC in wrestling.”
There will be a meet-and-greet for wrestlers and their parents with Coach Williams-Parker on Tuesday, Sep. 2 at 6 p.m. in the school library.