The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones
Freshman Ayan Chethan performs butterfly stroke.
Athlete of the Week: Ayan Chethan
Sophomore Brayden Coleman sets up the Phoenix offense against the Loudoun County Captains on Jan. 23.
Athlete of the Week: Brayden Coleman
Ethan Duval smiles for a photo.
Athlete of the Week: Ethan Duval
Sophomore forward Shawn Makassi goes up strong in an attempt to dunk the ball.
Athlete of the Week: Shawn Makassi
Phoenix gets in position to initiate the beginning of an intense game. “It's coming to the end of the season here, so [our goal] is to just focus on working harder,” senior lineman Ryan Abbondanza said.
Phoenix Freeze at the Hands of the Vikings
Senior Abby Knick prepares to bump the ball.
Phoenix Falter on Senior Night against Panthers
Senior quarterback Xavier Smith clutches the ball as he avoids Tuscarora’s defense.
Phoenix Fall Short Against Huskies
Junior right side hitter Jahnavi Kundoor sets for Junior middle blocker Katelyn Weicker.
Phoenix Volleyball’s Wings Clipped by the Knights
Sophomore Sudhi Gudimettla jumps to hit the ball over the net.
Wolverines Scratch Out a Win Against Phoenix
HRR boys' hockey team gathers together for a group photo. “We were all on the bench, excited. I couldn't wait for the game to end to see the medals,” Freshmen Forward Noah Wilkins said. Photo courtesy of Bhavitha Doma.
Rock Ridge Hockey Wins Big in Provisional Capital Cup Championship
Sophomore Addison Copeland jumps over hurdles during the girls 55m hurdles event.
Sprinting to States: 11 Athletes Qualify for State Meet
Senior Dawson Boupha scores the team’s first 3 points of the game and his last 3 points of the season.
Seniors Put a Lid on the Season and the Patriots
Sophomore small forward Shawn Makassi takes the ball from the tip-off. “We did get some easy buckets, and in the 2nd half, we did do better on defense, so that's what I really like,” sophomore shooting guard Ashwin Rapolu said.
Spartans Storm Past Phoenix
The girls basketball team huddles while Coach Joseph Smith explains the strategy. “Our coach is there for us,” junior Nada Elsayed said. “He definitely knows what he's doing.”
Despite Strong Start, Phoenix Flamed by Pride
Senior David Cheong attempts to stop the Dominion Titans from scoring a goal.
Boys Lacrosse Tumbles to Titans
Number seven, Senior Jackie Malapira attempts to attack the Loudoun County net.
Phoenix Turned to Ashes in 3-15 Loss
Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.
Phoenix Track Celebrates Seniors at Home Meet
Senior Sreeram Gourineni tosses the ball high in preparation to serve.
Tennis Seniors Take Their Bow Before Playoffs
Junior Aidan Lita steps up on defense.
Huskies Extinguish an Injured Phoenix Squad
Subhashree Munagala puts in diligent efforts to help animals live a better life.
Leader of the Week: 10 Questions with Animal Alliance Leader Subhashree Munagala
Reagan Sutton performs as Rusty in RRTA’s production of “Footloose” this fall.
Leader of the Week: 9 Questions with RRTA President Reagan Sutton
Debate President Parth Jaiswal manages his time with discipline, friends, and a little bit of fingerpicking.
Leader of the Week: Parth Jaiswal
The Mock Trial club hosts an after school meeting on Mondays. Senior Mahika Talaulicar stands at the front of the classroom, going over Mock Trial’s most recent defamation case.
Leader of the Week: 10 Questions With Mock Trial President Mahika Talaulicar
President Laura Adams takes on new challenges and keeps the Rock Ridge Choir Board running effortlessly.
Leader of the Week: 8 Questions with Choir Board President Laura Adams
Writing not just till the end, but for myself and the people I love.
Chang’s Swan Song: Writing My Way Out
Thank you Newspaper for helping me find my words, on and off the website, and thank you for showing me that my full potential is not just in the words I write on paper, or on a website, but also the ones that I speak out loud and the ones that I share with others.
Challa Swan Song: Finding My Words
To newspaper, the people in my life, and fate, thank you for this unexpected yet thrilling life journey. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Kalluri’s Swan Song: Right on Time
Through taking photos, I found a way to share how I felt, even when I didn’t know how to say it.
Gerardi Swan Song: Not Just a Class Assignment
Sometimes life will show you so many light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnels, it becomes an overwhelming and blinding light. All you have to do is figure out which path you want to take, and follow that light til’ the end.
Manchala Swan Song: We Ended Up Alright
Do AP’s matter?
Do AP’s matter?
How Was the American Music Awards In 2026?
How Was the American Music Awards In 2026?
Why is TV Getting More Expensive?
Why is TV Getting More Expensive?
Do PJs Affect Productivity?
Do PJs Affect Productivity?
Media by the Minute: The Olympic Hockey Drama
Media by the Minute: The Olympic Hockey Drama
Wrestler Rex Lawless celebrates a successful takedown during the main title fight.
Virginia Championship Wrestling Visits Rock Ridge
Gas prices remain at significantly higher levels amidst months of Iran-U.S. wars.
New Gas Prices, New Issues
Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.
Phoenix Track Celebrates Seniors at Home Meet
A New Face Behind the Badge: Derek Brown is Rock Ridge's Lead Security Officer
A New Face Behind the Badge: Derek Brown is Rock Ridge’s Lead Security Officer
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
The Student News Site of Rock Ridge High School

THE BLAZE
Wrestler Rex Lawless celebrates a successful takedown during the main title fight.
Fall Sports
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Athlete Spotlight
Athlete of the Week
Daisan Jones walks to the start line with his teammate Ohene Akenteng to begin his event. Photo courtesy of Daisan Jones.
10 Questions With Athlete of the Week: Daisan Jones
Sophomore track runner Daisan Jones shares his history and his goals for his track & field career.
Aakash Vivek and Lucinda Eskandar • May 5, 2026
Recent Results
Apr 16 Boys Soccer Rock Ridge High School vs. Tuscarora Huskies 0-4 L
Apr 8 Boys Varsity Basketball Rock Ridge High School vs. Woodgrove Wolverines 2-2 T
Feb 6 Boys Varsity Basketball Rock Ridge High School vs. Tuscarora Huskies 50-60 L
Jan 23 Boys Varsity Basketball Rock Ridge High School vs. Woodgrove Wolverines 59-64 L
Jan 15 Girls Varsity Basketball Rock Ridge High School vs. Potomac Falls Panthers 42-53 L
Jan 9 Boys Varsity Basketball Rock Ridge High School vs. Dominion High School Titans 52-66 L
Dec 2 Boys Varsity Basketball Rock Ridge High School vs. Justice Wolves 51-30 W
Latest Sports
Freshman Zach Neach loads for a hit on his first at-bat.
Jaguars Outlast Phoenix in Offensive Duel
Josiah Anderson and AJ Aluko-Apata • April 12, 2026
Rock Ridge student athletes who fast for Ramadan are supported by their coaches and teammates throughout practices and games.
Full of Faith, Full of Support: Spring Athletes Navigate Ramadan
Sanvi Challa and Arnav Mahajan • April 1, 2026
Junior Betsy Polanco pushes her opponent onto the mat. “Though they're 106 [lb] little kids, they’re so strong,” junior Besty Polanco said. “They overpower me…. But, even though they might overpower you, you could still be very more technical than them, and win.”
Polanco Places Second at States, Eyes Future Championships
Saketh Nandam and Sriram Chiripurapu • April 1, 2026
At the start of the spring sports season, five athletes from Rock Ridge High School have taken the responsibility of representing their school for the first time at the varsity level. By becoming fond of their sports through reasons varying from encouragement by their friends to wanting to challenge themselves, these athletes were given the opportunity to prove themselves as a Phoenix athlete.
Varsity Rookies: Five Athletes Learn a New Sport at the Varsity Level
Aakash Vivek, Noah Wilkins, and Gavin Fortuno • March 27, 2026
Sophomore defender Anshika Atluri steals the ball from Mustangs’ attack.
Phoenix Drop Home Opener to Mustangs
Dhruvsood Singh and Noah Wilkins • March 27, 2026
HRR boys' hockey team gathers together for a group photo. “We were all on the bench, excited. I couldn't wait for the game to end to see the medals,” Freshmen Forward Noah Wilkins said. Photo courtesy of Bhavitha Doma.
Rock Ridge Hockey Wins Big in Provisional Capital Cup Championship
Dhruvsood Singh, Aakash Vivek, and AJ Aluko-Apata • March 5, 2026
Sophomore Addison Copeland jumps over hurdles during the girls 55m hurdles event.
Sprinting to States: 11 Athletes Qualify for State Meet
Zahra Hameed, Jasmin Ahmed, and AJ Aluko-Apata • February 27, 2026
Senior Dawson Boupha scores the team’s first 3 points of the game and his last 3 points of the season.
Seniors Put a Lid on the Season and the Patriots
Aakash Vivek and AJ Aluko-Apata • February 20, 2026
Sophomore small forward Shawn Makassi takes the ball from the tip-off. “We did get some easy buckets, and in the 2nd half, we did do better on defense, so that's what I really like,” sophomore shooting guard Ashwin Rapolu said.
Spartans Storm Past Phoenix
Dhruvsood Singh and Noah Wilkins • February 20, 2026
The girls basketball team huddles while Coach Joseph Smith explains the strategy. “Our coach is there for us,” junior Nada Elsayed said. “He definitely knows what he's doing.”
Despite Strong Start, Phoenix Flamed by Pride
Tanvi Challa and Tyla Simpson • February 13, 2026
“I try to take the game one shift at a time, not think about too far ahead or too far back and just stay in the present,” junior Brooks Furtek said.
Rock Ridge Rolls Past Riverside
Divitha Mathe, Opinion Editor • February 12, 2026
Senior shooting guard Dylan Chemoiwa drives towards the basket.
Huskies Surge Past Phoenix in a Close Victory
Dhruvsood Singh and Noah Wilkins • February 10, 2026
Senior David Cheong attempts to stop the Dominion Titans from scoring a goal.Number seven, Senior Jackie Malapira attempts to attack the Loudoun County net.Senior Xavier Smith steadies himself before running a relay race.Senior Sreeram Gourineni tosses the ball high in preparation to serve.Junior Aidan Lita steps up on defense.
Spring Sports
Boys Lacrosse Tumbles to Titans

Jasmin Ahmed, Staff Writer | May 29, 2026

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Spring Sports
Phoenix Turned to Ashes in 3-15 Loss

Kaushal Kalluri and Madelyn Tucker | May 22, 2026

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