In Steve Fitzgerald’s first season as Dade Christian’s athletic director, the school considers this year’s athletic programs a success.
The varsity football team reached the regional playoffs under first year head coach Nick Martinez, the basketball team also advanced to the regional postseason, the girls’ volleyball team won its regional quarterfinal game, the track and field team is running through their opponents during track meets and the baseball team is pushing hard to join the school’s winning teams.
Fitzgerald said the football team was expected to compete at a high level and accomplished the modest goal of winning the district title.
“We expected them to do well and they were one game away from the state tournament,” said Fitzgerald, who is also the school’s head coach for the boy’s basketball team.
Milton Ingram, who plays basketball and football, and runs track and field for the Crusaders, helped the two teams reach the playoffs, and hopes to do the same for the team’s track meets.
The 6'3", 200 pound defensive end recorded 38 tackles (12 solo) and six sacks this past season. In track and field for the state he is ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation for shot put. In basketball, he came off the bench and gave his team a spark that resulted in a push in the regional postseason.
“It was an exciting moment to see the hard work paid off,” he said. “I am not a vocal leader but I push myself hard and I hope my teammates do the same so we can become better.”
Dorren Mercer, Dade Christian’s long-time track and field coach, said the team is preparing for several highly competitive track meets enroute to the district competition.
She said Dwayne Terry and Adule Abadi are ready to pick off where they left off last season. Terry, also a football player who was named to the Associated Press team and The Miami-Herald All-Dade team this season, advanced to state in the long jump.
The baseball team is off to a 1-4 start playing perhaps the toughest schedule in recent years, but Fitzgerald believes the team can bounce back and play in the district tournament.