Photos: From the Olympics to JPJ, UVA Athletes Inspire and Celebrate

A group of elite University of Virginia student-athletes traveled from the sports world’s center stage in Paris to center court at John Paul Jones Arena, where they were honored Sunday as part of UVA Athletics’ and the UVA Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center’s celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. 

Six of UVA’s female Olympians – swimmers Alex Walsh, Emma Weber and Aimee Canny, track and field athletes Ashley Anumba and Bridget Williams and rowing’s Sky Dahl – joined in the halftime celebration during the women’s basketball game against the University of Louisville.

Before the game, the lobby buzzed with young sports fans darting from one activity to the next, throwing, catching, rowing and playing alongside UVA student-athletes. Since 1996, the University has proudly celebrated female athletes and their accomplishments as part of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an annual celebration the Women’s Sports Foundation created in 1987. 

UVA Today senior photographer Matt Riley captured these images from the day’s activities. 

Freshman Catalina Quinteros, a midfielder on the UVA field hockey team, introduces young fans to her sport.

Freshman Catalina Quinteros, a midfielder on the UVA field hockey team, introduces young fans to her sport.

 

UVA graduate student Ryleigh Katstra, left, and freshman Peyton Balazy teach a young fan how to use a rowing machine.

UVA graduate student Ryleigh Katstra, left, and freshman Peyton Balazy teach a young fan how to use a rowing machine.

 

A setter on the UVA volleyball team, freshman Zoey Dood, congratulates a young fan after teaching her some basic skills of volleyball

A setter on the UVA volleyball team, freshman Zoey Dood, congratulates a young fan after teaching her some basic skills of volleyball

 

A young UVA fan, decked out in orange and blue, takes a swing at learning tennis.

A young UVA fan, decked out in orange and blue, takes a swing at learning tennis.

 

Sophomore Aniyah Collier, a defender on the UVA women’s soccer team, helps a young fan learn how to dribble and trap a soccer ball.

Sophomore Aniyah Collier, a defender on the UVA women’s soccer team, helps a young fan learn how to dribble and trap a soccer ball.

 

Two-time Olympian and silver medalist swimmer Alex Walsh joins other UVA female Olympians signing autographs after Sunday’s UVA women’s basketball game versus University of Louisville.

Two-time Olympian and silver medalist swimmer Alex Walsh joins other UVA female Olympians signing autographs after Sunday’s UVA women’s basketball game versus University of Louisville.

 

Chanel Craft Tanner, the director of the UVA Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center, joins Olympians Emma Weber, Sky Dahl, Alex Walsh, Bridget Williams, Aimee Canny and Ashley Anumba, UVA Director of Athletics Carla Williams and UVA President Jim Ryan at center court at JPJ Arena.

Chanel Craft Tanner, the director of the UVA Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center, joins Olympians Emma Weber, Sky Dahl, Alex Walsh, Bridget Williams, Aimee Canny and Ashley Anumba, UVA Director of Athletics Carla Williams and UVA President Jim Ryan at center court at JPJ Arena.

 

The JPJ crowd welcomes UVA rower Sky Dahl, a silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, during a halftime recognition.

The JPJ crowd welcomes UVA rower Sky Dahl, a silver medalist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, during a halftime recognition.

 

Fans are on their feet to cheer on the Hoos as the women’s basketball team took on Louisville Sunday.

Fans are on their feet to cheer on the Hoos as the women’s basketball team took on Louisville Sunday.