Mondays with Mike: PCA’s Middle School Boys Win State Championship and Run with Joy
Dear PCA Community,
This week on Mondays with Mike, we celebrate a milestone moment for Portsmouth Christian Academy athletics—our Middle School Boys Cross-Country Team captured the State Championship for the first time in PCA history.
Out of 38 Division IV schools our Eagles placed first overall, edging out the competition by just three points.
The Girls Team also finished an impressive eighth in the state, with Elizabeth Stewart (Grade 8) placing third overall out of all female runners.
In the co-ed race, Johnny Sherrill (Grade 6) took first place among 141 competitors who were not part of a full team.
Altogether, over 40 middle school runners represented PCA this fall under the faithful leadership of Coach Daphne Corso. She was supported by a dedicated team of assistant coaches and high school mentors. Their goal wasn’t just winning—it was to instill a love of running, perseverance, and teamwork rooted in joy and gratitude to God. But in God’s providence, joy turned to victory.
Coach Corso described it best: “We didn’t go in expecting a win—we simply wanted each runner to love the sport and glorify God through doing it. But that joy and encouragement made us competitive, and it all came together.”
Learn more by listening to the podcast!
With gratitude,
Mike Runey
Head of School
Portsmouth Christian Academy
“We didn’t go in expecting a win—we simply wanted each runner to love the sport and glorify God through doing it. But that joy and encouragement made us competitive, and it all came together.” – Coach Daphne Corso
Key Takeaways
- Historic First: PCA’s first-ever Middle School State Championship in Cross-Country (Boys Team).
- Strong Representation: Over 40 runners, grades 5–8, competing across three races.
- Girls’ Highlights: 8th place overall; Elizabeth Stewart 3rd in the state.
- Character in Action: Team members encouraged competitors from other schools, modeling Christ-centered sportsmanship.
- Faith and Perseverance: Students shared how prayer, encouragement, and mental resilience shaped their race mindset.
- Gratitude: Coaches and athletes alike expressed deep thanks to parents for transportation, support, and encouragement.
- Legacy Building: A culture of joyful competition and spiritual formation continues—introducing young runners to discipline, teamwork, and gratitude that glorify God.
To hear past episodes, share with your loved ones and friends, follow, and even review us, check out our PCA Podcast on these platforms:
