Nansemond River High School athletics continue to excel, which is not only good for the school but also good for the city of Suffolk.

The Nansemond River community has experienced a vast amount of athletic success in the past couple of years thanks to many talented student-athletes.

With the success of the Warriors track and field, soccer teams, girls’ tennis, softball and baseball teams, it has put a bigger magnifying glass on the city of Suffolk. In 2016, the Warriors baseball team was the 5A state champion for the first time in school history. Team WAR has been on an impressive run with state titles on the track the last few years, and Nansemond River has seen plenty of other sports teams come close.

The more sports that are successful, the more people can see the different dynamic of athletes the school has. Recently, the girls’ tennis team made back-to-back state semifinal appearances and had its most successful tennis season in school history.

Team WAR has had athletes represented on a national scale for years now. It is a big win for Nansemond River and an even bigger win for Suffolk that others can see the talent that comes out of the city. Other athletes through other schools can get known nationally as well just with what has been established already.

Nansemond River had four teams reach the state level this school year. The boys’ soccer team was the first boys’ soccer team to compete at that level in Suffolk Public Schools history.

Activities Director Kristy Brett is amazed at how much Nansemond River has accomplished and is hoping to see more of it.

“This year and last year we have shown tremendous growth in many of our male and female athletics,” Brett said. “We continue to have at least one or two teams compete well in the district, conference and state levels. We are extremely proud of our student-athletes.”

Brett also gives rightful credit to the administration and parental support, which is a big part of helping student athletes succeed. They believe that winning is important but also growing and developing their different programs is important as well.

With so many teams having huge success in conference play for Nansemond River, it should not come as a surprise once other programs start reaching the state level as well.