Athletics

Athletics By Abigail Campbell ’22

Nothing We Can’t Take

In a year marked by unforeseen challenges, lost opportunities, and mountainous oppositions, our Spartans proved just how dedicated and determined they are to their roles as student-athletes. The St. Johns Athletic Department was crowned with ten district championships, eleven regional appearances, six state appearances, two state runners-up, and a state championship. Despite the obstacles in their way and the strangeness of their seasons, each and every team of Spartans came together to achieve one of the most successful years in the history of the school’s athletics.

Onto the Next Chapter

The class of 2021 proudly watched 16 student-athletes sign to play collegiate sports this winter and spring. The culmination of the group’s dedication to various teams has left an indelible mark on the Athletic Department and the legacy of St. Johns’ excellence. In November, both the girls soccer program and boys baseball program held ceremonies to celebrate the following athletes’ commitments: ◆ Alexis Agramonte (Soccer) Troy University ◆ Paige Crews (Soccer)

Texas Christian University ◆ Lexi Drumm (Soccer)

College of Charleston ◆ Maddie Moody (Soccer) Davidson College ◆ Ellie Rosenau (Soccer)

Berry College ◆ Natalie Wilson (Soccer)

University of Southern

Mississippi ◆ Mia Sadler (Soccer)

University of Southern

Mississippi ◆ Mason Davis (Baseball) Florida State College at Jacksonville ◆ Connor Moore (Baseball) Florida State University ◆ James Oman (Baseball) Chipola College ◆ Luke Shannahan (Baseball) Pensacola State College ◆ Jace Thomas (Baseball) Flagler College And in the Spring, four more Spartans joined the club: ◆ Max Arnold (Football) Furman University ◆ Max Monroe (Football) Wagner College ◆ Paul Allen (Basketball) Five Towns College ◆ Landon Brafford (Soccer) Brewton Parker College

Boys Middle School Soccer — IMSC Championship

Boys Middle School Soccer won the IMSC Championship 1-0 over Providence School. All Tournament Selections included Corban Berrang ’25.

Girls Weightlifting

The new team on the block, Girls Weightlifting, crushed their debut season, ensuring promising results for the upcoming years. Evelyn Hanson ’22 had dreamt of starting a weightlifting team for years and was excited to lead as team captain this season. The team participated in a highly competitive Suwannee Power of Weightlifting Christmas Meet. There, Addison Frisbee ’24 lifted in the top 10 and Evelyn Hanson lifted in the top 4! The girls proved their commitment to success by showing up early in the morning before school to practice their olympic lifts! Way to go weightlifting!

Girls Varsity Basketball

Despite the various hurdles on their path, the Girls Varsity Basketball found immense success on the court this season. Neither injury nor three 10-day team quarantines proved effective in slowing down the girls’ momentum. The team, led by senior Maggie Kent and junior Kinley Hall, made their fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament. Dissatisfied after last year’s upset, the girls were proud to achieve their goal of winning the District Championship with a selfless, team effort. Coach Yolanda Bronston and Mary Kate Kent ’24 earned the title of FACA 2A District 6 Coach of the year for the 4th year in a row and FACA 2A District 6 Player of the Year for the 2nd year in a row, respectively.

Boys Varsity Basketball

With the highest winning percentage in more than 15 years, the Men’s Basketball team hunted down 11 wins this season. This was no easy task. The team, with only 7 players, was reduced to 5 members for almost half of the season due to injury—a clear testament to their hard work and team spirit. And even though a large percentage of their games were cancelled due to COVID-19, the team was excited to have the opportunity to play this season and be together again out on the court.

Girls Varsity Soccer

They ran out of hands! The Girls Varsity Soccer team earns their 10th consecutive state title! Coming out on top wasn’t easy this year as the team was quarantined and couldn’t train together for 10 days in the middle of their season. Following the quarantine, the team decided to split into two training groups and take extra safety measures to ensure their path to the state championship. Overall, their hard work and dedication paid off, and they earned their 18th consecutive district championship and their 17th regional championship in program history. They also ended the year ranked #1 in the nation by the United Soccer Coaches Association!

Photo by Mary Beth Garrison ’22

Boys Varsity Soccer

On the same night the girls claimed the Regional Championship, so did the boys for the first time since 2005! The Boys Varsity Soccer battled Maclay High School for a full 80 minutes then two ten minute overtimes with no avail. Then, finally, the game was won in a penalty kick shootout that kept a huge student section on their toes. After the game, the students rushed the field and emotions were high as the Spartans finally conquered their rivals, the Maclay Marauders. Postseason, John Linge ’21, left, and Dru Detlefson ’22 were recognized as members of All First Coast Boys Soccer teams.

Baseball

Ending the regular season 18-6, the Spartans headed into districts with confidence. The team this season was led by eight dedicated seniors, 4 of which are committed to play college baseball at their universities next fall. The boys rallied to win 4-0, claiming their first ever Regional Championship and punching their ticket to the Final Four in Fort Myers. Cheered on from a livestream in the library back at the school, the team earned their spot in the State Final when they beat Mount Dora on Wednesday. Just two days later, the team hit the field to play in their first state championship game in program history. All in all, the boys fell just short of the state title, ending the season with an unprecedented and boastable record of 24-7!

Photo by Josie Dinkins ’23 Tennis

Order on the court! The Spartans Tennis team came to dominate this season. Grace Wonpat ’25, John Cabrera ’22 (left), Jona Kats ’21, Ethan Albright ’21, and Marshall Martin ’23 all played their way up the semi-finals in their singles matches at the district tournament this year. On the doubles stage, Cabrera and Katz, Zach Hyatt ’27 and Ben Payton ’24, as well as Lauryn Mateo ’23 and Grace Wonpat won their way to the semi-finals as well. Doubles partners Calli Berrang ’26 and Stella Hyatt ’23 even made their way to the FHSAA 2A State Championship!

Track & Field

Committed and triumphant, the track and field team sprinted, jumped, and threw their way to a great season. Sadly, the team didn’t get to compete last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year, the team made up for lost time and reached new heights together. Heading into the championship meets, it seemed like records were being broken meet after meet, and the team gained a lot of confidence and steam heading into the important race days. At the district championship meet, Tommy Keenan ’23 and Ashlyn Rose ’24 both placed 3rd in their respective discus competitions. Their momentum wasn’t stopped there as the team proceeded to the Regional meet where Evelyn Hanson ’22, Sarah Mejias ’26, and Sofia Conde ’24 ran hard versus a competitive pool of athletes. Ultimately, Ava Johnson ’23, Becca Stratton ’25, and Walker Cowherd ’22, Ethan Beauvauis ’22, and Matthew Stratton ’22 qualified for the State Championship where Becca placed 12th in the 1600, Ethan placed 15th in shot put, Ava placed 16th in the 400 dash, Walker placed 10th in the long jump, 14th in the 200 dash and 4th in the 400 dash, and Matthew placed 3rd in the 3200. We are so proud of our State Champions, those who made it on the podium this year, record breakers, and the whole team who pushed each other day in and day out.