How Providence Christian won the DNJ All-Sports trophy for the first time
Providence Christian Academy's athletics have forged a steady path to success since the school joined the TSSAA in 2016.
The Lions enjoyed their best year yet in 2023-24.
Excelling in several sports, including two Division II-A team state championships and an individual state title, PCA has won The Daily News Journal All-Sports trophy for the 2023-24 school year.
"I'm very proud," said PCA athletic director Tara James, who is also coach of the girls basketball team that reached the state's final eight. "I think it was during spring sports that I started going, 'Man, we've had an incredible sports season, from top to bottom, from the beginning of the fall to the end of spring.' "
Providence Christian earned 103 points while Siegel finished second with 93 points and Central Magnet, which won the trophy the previous two years, was third with 79 points.
Points are awarded for how well each team finished in its district (or county-wide meet), with bonus points awarded for reaching the state tournament as a team (5), winning a team state championship (10) and any individuals winning a state championship (5). Wrestling teams earned a point for each girl or boy who reached state, as well as bonus points for reaching state duals as a team.
While the Lions had regular-season success in many sports, including boys and girls basketball, it was the postseason that put PCA over the top.
PCA earned 20 bonus points for winning the DII-A girls golf state title and also having senior Caroline Pardue win an individual state championship. The team broke the TSSAA record for lowest team score in a tournament (279) to win its third consecutive title.
Reagan Warren, who was the No. 3 golfer on the squad, stepped in for teammate Isabella Johnson (illness) on the final day of the state championships, shooting a 76.
"I was nervous, but I knew I could do it," Warren said. "Obviously Caroline and Isabella are so good and scored most of the time, but I knew I could do it when I needed to. I think that was definitely good to ease my nerves for this season."
The Lions volleyball team earned 15 bonus points for reaching state and winning the DII-A title.
"Everyone who plays sports here works really hard in the weight room, in the gym, out of the gym ... we all just work as a team," said PCA volleyball standout Sadie Kroeger. "Our confidence has grown a lot this year."
PCA's boys basketball team reached the state championship game, the school's baseball team reached the region just a few years after joining TSSAA, and the football team reached the DII-A state playoffs in its first season as an 11-man, TSSAA squad.
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"The football team has been putting in the work in practice, in season and out of season," said PCA football player Miles Reinhart. "Some sports here just started a few years ago. This is a big accomplishment."
DNJ All-Sports trophy 2023-24
Providence Christian 103, Siegel 93, Central Magnet 79, Stewarts Creek 77, Blackman 76, Rockvale 75, Middle Tennessee Christian 75, Oakland 72, Eagleville 62, Riverdale 55, Smyrna 48, Cannon County 44, La Vergne 31.
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Providence Christian Academy wins Daily News Journal All-Sports award
