First-year school claims four district titles
By Kyle LoJacono
When Steinbrenner High opened its doors last fall even the most optimistic would likely not have predicted the Warriors would succeed in athletics so quickly.
“I’m pleasantly surprised and very happy,” said Steinbrenner athletic director Eddie Henderson. “…Our softball team just won its district tournament, which gives us four district champs our first year.”
The other teams with titles this year include volleyball, girls soccer and girls tennis. Also reaching the playoffs as district runners-up was girls track and field, boys soccer and boys tennis.
“If this is the start, I can’t wait to see what will happen in the future,” Henderson said. “We don’t even have seniors yet, so once we do we should be able to have even more success.”
The first victory in any sport for the Warriors came in girls golf against Gaither High Sept. 1. The volleyball team (24-5) brought home the first district crown last October.
“I think coming in we knew the possibility was there to do something special,” said volleyball coach Staci Elias. “A lot of us knew we had a chance and it’s exciting that we made it happen…Next year our goal isn’t just districts, but a regional title.”
One of the difficulties for a new school in team sports is chemistry between the players, but fortunately for Steinbrenner many of its students play together on competitive club teams around Tampa Bay.
“We’ve got 24 players from last year’s varsity and junior varsity teams playing club right now,” Elias said. “It gets the kids ready by playing on highly competitive club teams. I know coach (Teresa) Patterson with girls soccer has a lot of club players too and it seemed to make them better.”
The girls soccer team (17-1-2) suffered only one loss all season, which came in the regional semifinals, and outscored its opponents 115-8.
“I’m just honored to be a part of the staff at Steinbrenner,” said Patterson. “The support from the administration and the parents is a big part of our success.”
The Warriors boys tennis team (11-3) came up just short of a district title, but coach Darren Atkinson has greater goals for next year.
“It was a really rewarding season,” Atkinson said. “I pushed the kids very hard and they never quit, but next year it’s time for us to start getting to states. Success in the district and making regionals is one thing, but we need to get to the state tournament next year…I’d be disappointed if we don’t get to states next year.”
The most recent district champion is the softball team (17-5). The baseball team entered its district tournament as the No. 2 seed with a 17-5 record, but was knocked out of playoff contention by Jefferson.
Despite missing the playoffs, the Warriors baseball team also made strides in year one.
“We were fortunate to have two guys with a lot of experience coming over from Sickles (High),” said baseball coach John Crumbley, who coached Jesuit for 22 years. “Chad Witkowski (junior) plays first base, is one of our two pitchers and hits in the three-hole for us. Our leadoff hitter is Ryan Atkinson and he is our centerfielder. We had the right mix of kids to fill in around them.”
When looking for coaches before the school year started, Henderson wanted a certain kind of person to instruct the teams.
“We wanted people that were motivated to teach their sport and help the players grow as people too,” Henderson said. “We made sure to find coaches who know academics is the most important thing and I’m comfortable with the coaches we have. They are the best.”
All the coaches said the administration at Steinbrenner, especially Henderson and principal Brenda Grasso, have been very supportive of the athletic programs. Grasso was the principal at Gaither last school year and two of the coaches joined her at the new facility.
“I was at Gaither last year and part of why I came to Steinbrenner was our principal,” Patterson said. “Coach Atkinson was at Gaither last year too and we both moved over to the new school. I knew she and the administration would be very supportive of our kids and I was right.”
Atkinson echoed Patterson’s statements.
The Warriors have been able to accomplish rare things for a new school and there is no reason to think that will end as the school adds students next year.
“Look out for Steinbrenner,” Elias said. “As we get bigger with more kids getting here we’ll be getting to states on a regular basis.”
-All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of April 30.
