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Fall Previews: Two new ADs in fold at Napa Christian, Trinity
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CommentTwo of the three smaller schools in the county — Napa Christian, Trinity Prep and Pacific Union Prep — will feature a new look at the top as the calendar turns to the fall season.
As reported recently in the Register, baseball coach Bob Greene has become the new athletic director at Trinity Prep.
As reported recently in the Register, baseball coach Bob Greene has become the new athletic director at Trinity Prep.
The big news at Napa Christian, meanwhile, is that Scott Blunt has taken over for Steve Lawrence as the Knights’ athletic director.
If Blunt’s name is familiar, that’s because he was previously the head men’s basketball coach at Pacific Union College in Angwin.
If Blunt’s name is familiar, that’s because he was previously the head men’s basketball coach at Pacific Union College in Angwin.
Blunt coached the Pioneers from 1999 through the end of last season and is enthused about his new opportunity.
“I’m very excited. I think Napa Christian has a lot of potential, and there’s a lot of support from the board and the parents,” said Blunt, whose children attend Napa Christian.
“I’m very excited. I think Napa Christian has a lot of potential, and there’s a lot of support from the board and the parents,” said Blunt, whose children attend Napa Christian.
Blunt also added that Knights principal Greg Coryell has been supportive of the athletic program.
“He wants to put a lot of time, energy and money into the athletic program,” said Blunt of Coryell, adding that the school’s music program has also received additional resources.
“Extracurricular programs are really important to him.”
Blunt will teach physical education and coach the Knights’ boys basketball team this winter.
“I want to bring some discipline to the P.E. program as well as the athletic program,” said Blunt.
As for the on-the-field action this fall, here’s a look at each of the county’s small schools:
Napa Christian
• Boys soccer
Head coach Darren Smith said he has 12 kids out for soccer — meaning not many subs available in the 11-man sport — though two more might eventually see the field.
Smith’s key returning seniors are First Team All-Napa County midfielder Kevin Lee and Second Team All-County pick Danny Chung.
Lee is the team’s top offensive threat, having posted six multi-goal games last year.
“Unfortunately, other teams know he’s our biggest threat, so we have to have other kids step up and be able to score,” said Smith.
Chung is a versatile player who can line up on defense, at midfield or at forward.
“He’s all hustle. He gives us 110 percent,” said Smith.
The Knights are also counting on big things from junior goalkeeper Curtis Shavlik, who takes over for graduated Second Team All-County keeper Raymundo Romero.
“He’s capable. He’ll get the job done,” said Smith of Shavlik.
The Knights open their season Sept. 4 at Jewish Community-San Francisco.
“I expect that we should win more than we lose,” said Smith. “We have to break through some rust early, but we’ll be successful.”
• Volleyball
The Knights have a new coach this season in Mike Nye, though he is not new to many of the students — he was the junior high coach at the K-12 school the last couple of years.
Nye’s squad will feature eight players — senior hitter Kendall Trood, senior first setter Ruby Schuler, sophomore hitter Sarita Guerra, sophomore passer Jacqueline Raygoza, freshman passer Meredith Neale, freshman hitter Elizabeth Carr, sophomore passer Jasmine Howard and junior passer Jessica Birney.
Napa Christian will play smaller schools such as Pacific Union Prep, North Hills Christian and Rio Lindo Adventist this year.
Nye was impressed with the team’s first workout this past Monday.
“I was encouraged. The girls showed a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of determination. We can build on that,” said Nye.
The Knights are scheduled to host Rio Lindo Adventist-Healdsburg on Sept. 4.
Pacific Union Prep
• Volleyball
Falcons coach and athletic director Mike Buller will field a squad of 12 players for the independent Falcons this fall.
This year’s volleyball team consists of Micaela Ballew, Andrea Diaz, Stephanie Dibben, Jenna Glantz, Taylor Goodwin, Janae Hellie, Andrea Polston, Ashley Polston, Bailey Pridmore, Giselle Schmitz, Hanna Teichman and Brita Widmer.
Pacific Union opens its season against visiting Napa Christian on Sept. 5.
Though the Falcons do not belong to a league, they will play a 14-game schedule along with a pair of tournaments, the Paradise Tournament on Sept. 14 and their own PUC Invitational on Oct. 25-27.
Trinity Prep
• Soccer
Trinity’s co-ed soccer squad welcomes a new coach into the fold in Katie Birdsall, a 2003 graduate of the school.
Greene is excited to have Birdsall, a former All-County basketball player for the Crusaders, on board.
“She’s got a lot of energy, and she really enjoys the game. She’s exactly what we needed,” said Greene.
The Crusaders will look to four players to anchor the club, which Greene said will most likely play its home games at Napa Valley College.
Phil Maxson is a returning senior starter who was selected First-Team All-County last fall, as he scored 13 goals and added five assists.
“As far as soccer goes, he is the leader of the school,” said Greene.
Maxson will be joined by senior second-year player Johnny Mendoza — a student at Calvary Baptist Christian in American Canyon — and junior returner Ty Lopez.
One new face is Dan Cravalho, a junior baseball and basketball player who will help round out the roster.
“He’s a pretty athletic kid. He should fit right in,” said Greene.
“He wants to put a lot of time, energy and money into the athletic program,” said Blunt of Coryell, adding that the school’s music program has also received additional resources.
“Extracurricular programs are really important to him.”
Blunt will teach physical education and coach the Knights’ boys basketball team this winter.
“I want to bring some discipline to the P.E. program as well as the athletic program,” said Blunt.
As for the on-the-field action this fall, here’s a look at each of the county’s small schools:
Napa Christian
• Boys soccer
Head coach Darren Smith said he has 12 kids out for soccer — meaning not many subs available in the 11-man sport — though two more might eventually see the field.
Smith’s key returning seniors are First Team All-Napa County midfielder Kevin Lee and Second Team All-County pick Danny Chung.
Lee is the team’s top offensive threat, having posted six multi-goal games last year.
“Unfortunately, other teams know he’s our biggest threat, so we have to have other kids step up and be able to score,” said Smith.
Chung is a versatile player who can line up on defense, at midfield or at forward.
“He’s all hustle. He gives us 110 percent,” said Smith.
The Knights are also counting on big things from junior goalkeeper Curtis Shavlik, who takes over for graduated Second Team All-County keeper Raymundo Romero.
“He’s capable. He’ll get the job done,” said Smith of Shavlik.
The Knights open their season Sept. 4 at Jewish Community-San Francisco.
“I expect that we should win more than we lose,” said Smith. “We have to break through some rust early, but we’ll be successful.”
• Volleyball
The Knights have a new coach this season in Mike Nye, though he is not new to many of the students — he was the junior high coach at the K-12 school the last couple of years.
Nye’s squad will feature eight players — senior hitter Kendall Trood, senior first setter Ruby Schuler, sophomore hitter Sarita Guerra, sophomore passer Jacqueline Raygoza, freshman passer Meredith Neale, freshman hitter Elizabeth Carr, sophomore passer Jasmine Howard and junior passer Jessica Birney.
Napa Christian will play smaller schools such as Pacific Union Prep, North Hills Christian and Rio Lindo Adventist this year.
Nye was impressed with the team’s first workout this past Monday.
“I was encouraged. The girls showed a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of determination. We can build on that,” said Nye.
The Knights are scheduled to host Rio Lindo Adventist-Healdsburg on Sept. 4.
Pacific Union Prep
• Volleyball
Falcons coach and athletic director Mike Buller will field a squad of 12 players for the independent Falcons this fall.
This year’s volleyball team consists of Micaela Ballew, Andrea Diaz, Stephanie Dibben, Jenna Glantz, Taylor Goodwin, Janae Hellie, Andrea Polston, Ashley Polston, Bailey Pridmore, Giselle Schmitz, Hanna Teichman and Brita Widmer.
Pacific Union opens its season against visiting Napa Christian on Sept. 5.
Though the Falcons do not belong to a league, they will play a 14-game schedule along with a pair of tournaments, the Paradise Tournament on Sept. 14 and their own PUC Invitational on Oct. 25-27.
Trinity Prep
• Soccer
Trinity’s co-ed soccer squad welcomes a new coach into the fold in Katie Birdsall, a 2003 graduate of the school.
Greene is excited to have Birdsall, a former All-County basketball player for the Crusaders, on board.
“She’s got a lot of energy, and she really enjoys the game. She’s exactly what we needed,” said Greene.
The Crusaders will look to four players to anchor the club, which Greene said will most likely play its home games at Napa Valley College.
Phil Maxson is a returning senior starter who was selected First-Team All-County last fall, as he scored 13 goals and added five assists.
“As far as soccer goes, he is the leader of the school,” said Greene.
Maxson will be joined by senior second-year player Johnny Mendoza — a student at Calvary Baptist Christian in American Canyon — and junior returner Ty Lopez.
One new face is Dan Cravalho, a junior baseball and basketball player who will help round out the roster.
“He’s a pretty athletic kid. He should fit right in,” said Greene.
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