Elite Sports Programs Shine At Area Private Schools
The King’s Academy
The TKA boys track team was regional champion for the first time in school history, while girls track captured the team’s second regional championship, and first since 2006. Together, the Lions sent 26 athletes to the Class 1A state meet.
Highlighting the track team’s performance at states was Brianna Oats, who brought home two third-place finishes in the 300-yard hurdles and in the 100-yard hurdles, where she was just 1/100th of a second out of second place. Justin Bridgewater had the best finish, placing second in the 800-meter run.
Cheerleading has been one of TKA’s best programs over the last decade, and this year was no different. The competitive cheer team, coached by Jenn Allen, was the runner-up in the Class 1A medium division non-tumbling, and also earned National Grand Champion honors for a second time at the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders Championships.
The girls volleyball team went 26-1, winning the district and finishing as the regional runner-up. Madeline Furtado was named the National Christian School Athletic Association (NCSAA) National Player of the Year, and Ashlei Furtado was NCSAA Coach of the Year.
The Lions football team won the South Florida Conference championship for the second consecutive season, and the boys lacrosse team had a breakthrough season, going 16-2 and finishing as the district runner-up.
“It has always been my desire and goal to support our teams, help with resources, and encourage a pursuit of excellence in all of our individual programs,” TKA Athletic Director Adam Winters said. “We have seen a resurgence in many teams, with others really encouraging and pushing their athletes to reach their potential. Many of our teams have become competitively relevant, while others are taking strides forward in competing at a high level. I am proud of our coaches, their desire to impact lives for the lord, while building champions from elementary through the high school levels.”
American Heritage School
The American Heritage School boys soccer team, featuring a lethal combination of speed and skill, rose to the top once again, capturing the Class 2A state championship with a dominating 5-0 triumph over the Bolles School in Jacksonville. It was the team’s second consecutive shutout, as the Stallions outscored their opponents 15-3 in the five state playoff games.
It was the fourth state championship, but first since 2011, for American Heritage. The Stallions also won titles in 2009 and 2006, reaching the state final on three other occasions since 2004.
But the team struggled in the last five years relative to these past successes, failing to reach the final four every year since 2013. That changed this year as the veteran American Heritage squad got goals from Nick Ludovico, Alex Guichard, Doug Phillips, Nick Marchionni and Giovanni Fraser and cruised to victory, getting back to a familiar position as the premier team.
The Stallions also dominated the Class 2A tennis finals with Melissa Sakar winning the girls individual and overall singles titles, and added the girls doubles title with Hayden Bethea. Not to be outdone, Steven Sun captured the boys singles overall title and added the doubles overall crown with Hunter Robbins.
American Heritage ended the season on a high note when the girls lacrosse team, coached by John McClain, captured its first state title, defeating Lake Highland Prep 10-7 for the Class 2A crown.
It was the second state tournament appearance in the past three years for the Stallions, who were ranked No. 1 in the country for a short time and spent most of the season in the Top 10. The program began just four years ago.
The Stallions were led all season by sophomore Caitlyn Wurzburger, who reached the 100 goals/100 assists mark for the third time; reportedly only the third time it has been done by a high-schooler. She had a lot of help, including from Allegra Catalano, Kylie Hazen and Megan Mangines, who all return next season.
The Stallions were dominant en route to the title game, eliminating 10-time state champ Vero Beach 11-5 in the state semifinals and advancing to the final four with a 16-4 win over perennial powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. They finished with a 21-1 record.
The American Heritage baseball program has been led by manager Carm Mazza for 20 years and is almost always one of the top teams in the county. The squad reached the state semifinals in 2017, and in mid-April, Mazza earned his 400th career victory. This season, the team amassed a 22-6 record and reached the regional final in mid-May with an eye on the state title.
OXBRIDGE ACADEMY
The highlight this year for the Oxbridge Academy was its dominating victory in the Class 5A girls basketball championship game. Four players scored in double figures en route to a 55-39 triumph over Lake Highland Prep. There were no seniors on the roster.
Alexa Zaph led the ThunderWolves with a game-high 18 points, supported by Haley Howarth (13 points), Aaliyah Stanley (12 points) and Kaylon Smith (10 points).
It was the school’s first state title in girls basketball and second overall state crown. Last year, the girls soccer team captured the Class 2A championship. “For us, the scoreboard will never determine our success,” Athletic Director Patrick Hollern said. “We want our students to make a positive impact in the next 10, 15 years.”
Individually, Hannah Kanjian won the Class 2A state title in the high jump and was also a member of the soccer team that reached the state championship game this year, dropping a 4-0 decision. Kanjian cleared 5 feet, 3.75 inches on her third attempt in the three-way jump-off to earn the title.
There isn’t a regulation track at Oxbridge, but the school now has a high jump pit. “It shows her determination,” Hollern said. “She adopted that spartan mindset.”
The Oxbridge football team also reached the state championship game, but their rally fell short, losing 31-28. The ThunderWolves finished with a 10-2 record.
“Their great comeback showed great resolve,” Hollern said. “It was an emotional game, and I know the team can learn from it. We learn from the setbacks, and we learn from the successes.”
Other top performances included Jen Secrest’s third-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley and fourth in the 100-yard butterfly at the Class 1A state swim meet, as well as Jamian Lovett’s sixth-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles at the Class 2A meet.
What impresses Hollern is how the teams and athletes compete at Oxbridge, which has about 525 students while completing its seventh year. “We’ve done well with wins and losses, but I’m hoping we make a bigger impact than that,” Hollern said.
