Cardinal Newman HS prepares for new academic year full of sports
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Crusaders at Cardinal Newman High School are starting strong for the 2022-23 academic year. The school has provided a college preparatory, Catholic high school education in West Palm Beach for over sixty years.
The year begins with new Athletic Director, Reilly Campbell, from Atlanta International School in Atlanta, Georgia. Campbell brings varied experiences in school athletics and education from Catholic and college preparatory schools and will also serve as the head boys basketball coach.
“I have the professional privilege of leading our coaches in shaping memorable athletic experiences for all our Crusader student-athletes,” states Campbell. “Among our current coaches, we have state champions, record holders in their sports, and coaches who have helped countless athletes play in college and the professional ranks. Still, most importantly, we have great mentors and leaders. I am excited to see what our student-athletes and coaches achieve next. We invite the community to join us. Go Crusaders!”
Fall Sports
Football
The Crusaders football team is off to a hot start. Not only has the team started 3-0 but they have done so in dominating fashion, beating their first three opponents of the season by a combined 118-26. The JV football team is currently 2-0 and off to a great start to the season as well.
Jack Daniels, Head Football Coach, and two-time State Champion coach:
“Coming to Newman in 2021, I wanted to continue to build on the legacy of all the great coaches and athletes who have represented Cardinal Newman High School in the past. I am excited about the future of the football program, not only with trying to get past the Final Four this year, but also beyond this year. We have a great foundation.”
Girls Volleyball
The girls volleyball program is off to a good start from the Freshman team all the way to the Varsity team with the Varsity team winning seven of their last eight sets at the time of publication.
Ava Castro, Varsity Volleyball: “I’ve been so blessed to be able to compete at the varsity level as a Freshman, and I cannot wait to see what my teammates and I continue to do over the rest of my four years here at Cardinal Newman.”
Other Fall Sports
Other fall sports include cheerleading, cross country, golf, and swimming all of whom have had strong starts to their seasons.
Winter Sports
As the sports calendar transitions from Fall to Winter, there is a similar transition on campus at Cardinal Newman. We put our volleyball nets away and turn to our boys and girls basketball programs and competitive cheer. Our historic football field adds soccer goals and lines and the wrestling room of the Raich building begins to bustle with technique and power. Our winter sports are home to history and tradition and we know all of our programs are ready to add even more state success to our Crusader banners.
Winter sports include:
- Boys and Girls Basketball
- Competitive Cheer
- Boys and Girls Soccer
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
Boys Basketball
Athletic Director and Boys Basketball Coach Reilly Campbell on the upcoming season: “From our freshman team through our varsity team, everyone in the program is excited to get on the court and show the South Florida community how hard we have worked this off-season. Our varsity team will travel around the Southeast for games and tournaments, and we are excited to continue building on past successes on the court.”
Spring Sports
Newman is excited to grow the foundation of their lacrosse and boys weightlifting programs with newly hired coaches. In addition, their other exciting spring sports offerings include baseball, softball, tennis,and track and field.
Track & Field
Nate Robinson, Head Cross Country, and Track & Field Coach:
“Last year, seven school records were broken on our girl’s team, four by the boys, and we had two State Champions. My goal is to develop our student-athletes to go on to college to compete and get them on the podium at State. In 2023, I know we can break more records, have more podium finishes in State, and get a few more state championships.”
Joseph Flynn, Varsity Cross Country and Track:
“Running at Cardinal Newman has allowed me to compete against schools our size and schools much bigger from all over South Florida. With my coaches’ help, I am running at a high level.”
Softball
Angela Garcia ‘07, Head Softball Coach:
“Making it to the District Finals on the shoulders of two First Team All-County players was an amazing experience. This Spring, we will be even better. Look for us to compete for a spot in the Regional Finals. It is an incredible experience coaching on the same field I played on as a Crusader Softball player, and I think the future is very bright for our program.”
Baseball
Joe Russo, newly hired Head Baseball Coach:
“The 2023 season welcomes a new coaching staff to continue the proud history of success that legendary coach Jack Kokinda established. The 2022 Cardinal Newman team graduated 13 seniors – so many new faces will be looked upon to lead the Crusaders to another trip to the State Championship Final Four.” – Joe Russo
Grant Hugus, Varsity Football and Baseball student-athlete: “Making it all the way to the Final Four in both football and baseball last year, helped me realize just how much support athletes get at Newman. From our coaches, teachers, parents, and teammates, it really is a team effort in all sports.”
Varsity Letterman Alumni Crusader Club
“Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, and Secure the Future”
On August 18, Cardinal Newman High School honored athlete alumni and celebrated the recent formation of the Crusader Club at E.R. Bradley’s in West Palm Beach. Over sixty alumni of all ages attended the reception. The Crusader Club, led by Chair Dave McIntosh ’64 and twenty-one board of directors, was founded to connect athlete alumni and support Crusader athletics and Cardinal Newman High School.
“As I researched the sixty-one-year history of Cardinal Newman High School, it was easy to see what makes Newman such a special place,” Athletic Director Reilly Campbell said. “From the student-athletes who have gone on to excel in their respective sport at the collegiate level, to the Crusaders who went on to play professionally, Cardinal Newman High School has set the standard for competing at a championship level,” states Campbell.
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