Mondays with Mike: PCA Fall Sports Recap & Podcast Double Feature
Dear PCA Families,
Today and tomorrow are full of parent-teacher conferences, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner closely with you to support your child’s growth. Thank you for investing the time to meet with teachers, and for working with us to promote the holistic growth that we aim for at PCA.
This week also marks the wrap-up of our Fall sports season, and we’re excited to share some highlights! In today’s podcast, we feature a double-header: captains from our Middle School teams and others from Upper School teams, offering their insights into our collective Fall campaign.
Before you listen, let me set the stage with some key stats:
- Participation Reached New Heights: This fall, 149 PCA students proudly represented our school in athletics.
- Upper School: 70 athletes played on Varsity or JV teams, which means 42% of our Upper School students were involved.
- Middle School: 66 students joined teams, representing 51% of the Middle School. Additionally, 19 of our 5th graders ran cross-country!
- It Was a Record-Breaking Season:
- Upper School: Our Eagles secured 43 wins acrossfour teams. Women’s JV Volleyball clinched their tournament, and Cross Country delivered the best results in recent memory, with every team qualifying for playoffs. Notably, the Men’s Cross Country team achieved a 4th place finish out of 26 teams.
- Middle School: Both boys’ and girls’ soccer teams showed impressive performances, achieving a combined record of 12-7-2 against much larger schools. Our volleyball teams made it to the playoffs, and our Cross Country teams saw their best results yet.
Why is this remarkable? PCA is a small school compared to many of our competitors. For most sports in the Upper School, we compete in Division IV against other schools with a maximum enrollment of 290. For Volleyball and Cross Country, however, we compete in Division III, against schools with enrollments as high as 500. Despite being smaller (Upper School enrollment is only 178), our teams stood out and met the challenge head-on. Our Middle School teams don’t have leagues, and often play against much larger schools, often with enrollment from 600-1000.
That your kids are able to participate on teams and do step into the challenge, and then regularly compete and win against much larger and competitive schools is something to thank God for and to celebrate together. Many, many thanks to our coaches and their faith, skill, dedication, and commitment.
I hope this background helps you appreciate the dedication, resilience, and growth that your student-athletes demonstrated this season. Their commitment is inspiring, and I am confident you’ll be blessed by their stories in the interviews that follow. Go Eagles!
Upper School Captains Episode
Join us for a special episode as we sit down with the captains of Portsmouth Christian Academy’s varsity sports teams. As the fall sports season comes to a close, these young leaders share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs from the past months.
Meet Avery, Bennett, Caterina, Shanelle, and Quinn as they introduce themselves and discuss how their faith has influenced their approach to sports and competition.
Discover how they integrate their beliefs into their roles as captains, inspiring their teams to play for a higher purpose. Listen to personal stories of growth, from overcoming team challenges to individual achievements. Shanelle and Bennett recount the highs and lows of their volleyball and soccer seasons, highlighting the importance of team bonding and perseverance. Avery shares the journey of leading a young soccer team to the playoffs, while Caterina talks about the unique dynamics of cross-country running and the power of prayer.
The captains also reflect on the influence of their coaches and the valuable lessons learned about identity and character beyond the scoreboard. As they look back on the season, they share memories that they will carry with them, emphasizing the significance of camaraderie, encouragement, and the lasting impact of their high school sports experiences.
Tune in to hear the wisdom these scholar-athletes have gained and their advice for younger athletes balancing faith and sports. This episode is a testament to the powerful role sports can play in shaping character and building lifelong friendships.
As we wrap up, we celebrate the achievements of these remarkable student-athletes and look forward to what lies ahead for them and the PCA Eagles.
Middle School Captains Episode
Welcome to an inspiring episode of our PCA community podcast, where we delve into the remarkable experiences of our young student-athlete leaders.
Join us as we celebrate the achievements and challenges of their recent fall sports season, gaining insights into how their faith and camaraderie have shaped their journeys both on and off the field.
Meet Eve, Juliana, Ryan, and Ezra, middle school athletic captains from PCA, as they share personal stories from their respective sports—soccer, volleyball, and cross-country.
Discover how these dedicated students have seen God’s presence on their teams and playing fields, enriching their athletic pursuits with spiritual growth and resilience.
Our guests reflect on pivotal moments, including the honor of being named team captains, overcoming formidable opponents like Oyster River, and the personal triumphs and challenges they faced during competitions.
They also discuss the crucial role of their coaches in fostering both skill and character, highlighting the unique mentorship they received.
In addition to sharing their personal experiences, these young leaders offer valuable advice to aspiring athletes, emphasizing the importance of faith, teamwork, and maintaining a positive attitude amidst the pressures of competition.
Tune in to hear how these young Eagles are not only excelling in sports but are also setting an example of Christian character and leadership for their peers. This episode is a testament to the power of sports in building strong, faith-driven communities.
Join us in celebrating the spirit of PCA athletics, and let’s cheer for our Eagles as they continue to soar to new heights!
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