Athletics News

Asheville School Week has always been extra meaningful to Charlie Bednar ’22.

What better time to make a major decision concerning his future?

Saturday’s football game at Asheville School is not only the renewal of the oldest rivalry in the Carolinas, but the end of an era for the Christ School athletic program.

Heather Bower is resigning her position as athletic trainer after 17 years of service so she can join family in Kentucky. 

Bryce Sain ’22 makes countless split-second decisions when a football is tucked under his arm.

Finding the right college required a little more calculation.

Bryce returned from a weekend visit to Greenville, S.C., with a big piece of his future determined, verbally committing to Furman University on Sunday.

For something that hadn’t happened in 17 years, it makes sense that it took a little extra time Friday night.

The Charlotte Christian defense had kept Bryce Sain ’22 bottled-up for much of the evening. Christ School’s primary rusher and his blockers kept plugging away on Senior Night. Needing a touchdown to win in overtime, the Greenies handed off the ball twice to Bryce – the second being a 2-yard carry that propelled them to a long-awaited 34-31 victory.

Whether it was the individual or team championship, Christ School runners were their own best competition at the Carolinas Athletic Association Meet.

The Greenies knew the undulation and every twist and turn of their home course. It showed with the cross country program’s first CAA title since 2019, fourth since 2000, and ninth overall.

If the old saying “home sweet home” is true, then this week couldn’t be any sweeter for Christ School fall sports.

Soccer, cross country, and football are all scheduled to host competitions with big stakes in the coming days.

Win or lose, every game this season had been a slugfest for Christ School varsity football.

Friday night was the polar opposite.

No complaints from the Greenies, who needed less than two hours to dismantle Charlotte Country Day on the road, 45-0.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and his father, former Division I college head coach Todd Raleigh, were both on campus Wednesday for an offseason workout by the Christ School baseball team. 

Upon returning to campus, both the JV and varsity engaged in the Christ School tradition of ringing the Angelus bell to celebrate their sweep.

Combine a fast course with excellent competition and you get a morning like Christ School had at the Great American Cross Country Festival.

Percentages do not get any better – every one of the five Greenies who finished Saturday’s race in Cary, N.C., did so with personal-record times.

Buildup to Friday’s soccer game had been a prominent part of Spirit Week activities at Asheville School.

In the end, the boys in green had a little motivation burning inside of them, too.

Ethan Park ’23 has been the unofficial team spokesman for Christ School JV soccer this this fall. He will stand up to announce upcoming games in assemblies and Chapel, building hype with his jokes and personal anecdotes.

On Thursday, Ethan’s actions truly spoke louder than words.

The next time that Christ School runners race their home course, it will be for a conference championship.

The Greenies have to like their chances in light of Tuesday’s Carolinas Athletic Association Preview Meet.

No one in N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association football had played a tougher schedule through three games. Christ School paid the price with a bevy of injuries, meaning that new and familiar faces alike needed to step up Friday.

And step up, the Greenies did.

Football player Brady Ionannidis '22 became the fifth Christ School student-athlete in three years to commit to an Ivy League college program during Friday's Senior Speech in Pingree Auditorium. 

Frank Howden ’22 has been a consummate leader throughout his time at Christ School in the classroom and the pool.

The senior from Asheville has been rewarded with a spot on the USA Swimming Scholastic All-America Team. To qualify, swimmers had to possess a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 and a Junior National qualifying swim.

Peaking at the right time is an art form in cross country.

By all indications, Christ School could be building to something special in five weeks at the NCISAA 4-A state meet.

Playing a man down for 56 minutes Tuesday put Christ School varsity soccer at a disadvantage, number-wise.

Nothing makes up for a difference in personnel like a couple goals.

Many of North Carolina’s very best distance programs were entered in the adidas Cross Country Challenge. Christ School showed that it belonged well before the morning dew had dried on the WakeMed Soccer Park course. 

Standing 10 men deep, Christ School varsity soccer players formed the ultimate wall Tuesday.

The barrier did its job.