Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries
won its third straight Boys Virginia Catholic Schools State
Championships for track and field May 14. The team was led by
head coach Mike Dobson, who is retiring this year after 40
years of teaching and coaching.
On the girls’ side, Bishop O’Connell of Arlington and Paul VI
Catholic of Fairfax tied for first with 118 points apiece.
Bobby Price, a senior at Bishop Sullivan High School in
Virginia Beach, had a phenomenal meet, finishing first in
five events: the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the high
jump, the long jump and the triple jump. Bishop Sullivan
finished second overall with 104 points.
Saint John Paul the Great senior Josh Glascock placed first
in the 110-meter hurdles, second in the 300-meter hurdles and
third in the high jump. Senior Michael Horan finished first
in the 300 meter hurdles and third in the triple jump, while
junior Myles Sherman placed second in the high jump,
110-meter hurdles and the triple jump.
The team succeeded despite the absence of distance runner
Andre Gallant, who injured himself a couple of weeks ago and
did not compete in Saturday’s meet.
According to Dominican Sister Mary Jordan, school principal,
Dobson joined the school’s faculty in 2009. He started
several programs from scratch, including driver’s education,
the cross country teams, the track and field teams, the
indoor track teams, Karaoke Night and the daily recitation of
the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
“He started these programs and has stayed with them,
consistently working to improve the programs by encouraging
each student athlete and coach toward personal growth,” said
Sister Mary Jordan.
“Our lives have been greatly enriched by Mr. Dobson,” she
said. “I am grateful for his generous service, witness and
perseverance in leadership.”
Students described Dobson as a great leader, coach and
teacher who integrates Christ into everyday activities.
Dobson recently was honored with a special presentation and
blessing after the all-school Mass.
