HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL: George Wythe's Emma Faulkner looking to make some state-ments this week (copy)
George Wythe's Emma Faulkner won the 2025 VHSL Class 1 girls cross country individual crown.
Emma Faulkner hopes to make a statement this week.
The George Wythe High School junior will compete in the girls 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs on Saturday during the VHSL Class 1 state track and field championships in Harrisonburg.
Today in Pearisburg, she’ll try to help GW’s softball squad earn a state tournament berth for the second straight year.
Faulkner is the rare distance runner who also excels on the softball diamond and she’s able to balance them both adeptly.
In the spring she’ll run at dusk and dawn to get her miles in, while in the afternoon hours she'll be collecting hits or making catches on the softball field.
“I work out early in the morning on game days or after the game,” Faulkner said. “It’s important that I do that in order for me to continue to improve in my races.”
She has won a lot of races.
Faulkner became a state cross country champion in November and had a pair of first-place finishes at the VHSL Class 1 indoor meet in March.
The speedster quickly navigates her way around the basepaths as successfully as she does a cross country course or a rubberized track. The centerfielder has compiled a .384 batting average with 24 stolen bases, 33 runs and 13 RBIs from the leadoff spot.
“She is a dynamic player and has the ability to take extra bases or run down a ball hit in the gap,” said George Wythe coach Amber Faulkner, who is also Emma’s mother.
George Wythe (21-4) has established a single-season program record for wins. Last year, the Maroons made the state tournament for the first time and lost to eventual Class 1 winner Eastside in the quarterfinals.
“Softball has been very rewarding for me this season because I have amazing teammates that make the sport even more enjoyable than it already is,” Emma Faulkner said. “We have improved a lot from last year as a team by being more together and more fiery.”
Faulkner is a tone-setter for a lineup that has put up plenty of runs. Avery Cline, Morgan Layne, Madalyn Morris, Jadelyn Faulkner, Madison Hatcher, Brooklyn Ross, Temperence Smith and Bailee Duncan have also had their moments.
“This season has been about rising to the occasion,” Amber Faulkner said. “We’ve had so many moments this year where someone has had to come through with a defensive play or a big hit or even stepping in as a starter. The girls have maintained a good energy space where they truly want to see each other succeed and although we’ve had a record- breaking season I am most proud of the joy they bring to our staff and each other every day. I honestly believe that’s why we’ve been so successful this year. These kids love to compete together.”
George Wythe visits surging Giles (14-8) at 5 p.m. in the semifinals of the Region 1C tournament with a state tourney berth on the line. The Maroons beat Giles twice in the regular season but suffered a 3-1 setback to the Spartans in the semifinals of the Mountain Empire District tournament.
“Giles is a well-coached team and they are peaking at the right time,” Amber Faulkner said. “I have no doubt that it’s going to be a great game.”
One thing is certain: Emma Faulkner will be ready to run.
As always.
