The philosophy of Heritage Christian Academy athletics is to foster athletic teams that exemplify Christ-like competitiveness, coaching and sportsmanship. We encourage students to experience a variety of sports to discover their gifts and interests.
A wide range of athletic teams are offered to both boys and girls, including track (1st – 12th grade), Cross Country (1st – 12th grade), swimming (1st – 12th grade), volleyball (MS-HS), Archery (4th-12th grade) and tennis (5th – 12th grade)
Overview: Archery teaches you how to focus and keep your attention on a goal despite external and internal distractions. It also teaches you about teamwork and sportsmanship. The HCA archery program doesn’t just teach your child how to shoot a bow, it’s built on the Christian foundation of the school. Your child will learn the fundamentals of archery, gain mental strength, reaction time, motivation, and self-confidence. The archery program follows the Archery in Mississippi Schools (AIMS) program. It’s open to all students in 4th – 12th grade. The archery season officially starts in January with practice starting in October.
Achievements: The HCA Archery program has been blessed over the last 4 years. They have won many titles both as a team and individually. Last year the team finished in 1st place at the state qualifier and 2nd place at the State Championship. At the Mississippi State Games, the archery team won 5 individual medals. Two 1st place, two 2nd place and one 3rd place. In the previous 3 years, the archery team has qualified for the state tournament and finished in the top 3 every year.
Coach: The archery coach is Eric Hopperdietzel. He is a certified archery instructor for the state of Mississippi and currently serving in the United States Coast Guard as the Commanding Officer of the search and rescue station in Pascagoula. If you have any questions about the archery program, please give him a call or an email. His phone number is 251-622-2979, and his email address is ehopperdietzel@yahoo.com.
Overview: Track and cross country (XC) were the first athletics offered at HCA. Students in 1st grade through senior year are able to participate in both sports. Athletes not only learn the events associated with each sport, they learn discipline, endurance, and dedication through track and XC. The past season was the first year to have relay teams in track and field. Both the male and female teams advanced to the state competition.
Achievements: Track and XC have produced multiple state title holders. Isabella Bailey holds the state title for the high jump, 800m, and 1600m. Emma Heath holds the state female pole vaulting title. Dallas Stricker holds the state title for male pole vaulting and the cross country state title for fall of 2022.
Coach: The varsity team is coached by Jay Stricker (jstricker@hcapicayune.com) and assisted by John Bailey. The elementary team is coached by Jessica Spiers (601-347-2912).
Overview: Track and cross country (XC) were the first athletics offered at HCA. Students in 1st grade through senior year are able to participate in both sports. Athletes not only learn the events associated with each sport, they learn discipline, endurance, and dedication through track and XC. The past season was the first year to have relay teams in track and field. Both the male and female teams advanced to the state competition.
Achievements: Track and XC have produced multiple state title holders. Isabella Bailey holds the state title for the high jump, 800m, and 1600m. Emma Heath holds the state female pole vaulting title. Dallas Stricker holds the state title for male pole vaulting and the cross country state title for fall of 2022.
Coach: The varsity team is coached by Jay Stricker (jstricker@hcapicayune.com) and assisted by John Bailey. The elementary team is coached by Jessica Spiers (601-347-2912).
Overview: The HCA dance team started in 2020 to provide young ladies at HCA the opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities through the art of dance. There are three teams: junior varsity, elementary, and enrichment. The junior varsity team is for girls in 6th grade and up. Elementary is for girls in 3rd – 5th grades. Enrichment is a practice team for girls who are still developing their skills and wish to work with the team and coaches as they train in technique. All teams participate in multiple events throughout the fall semester. Team tryouts are held in the spring semester for the following school year.
Achievements: The JV team has won the MAIS 2A pom state championship the last two years.
Coaches: The teams are coached by Jessica Spiers (601-347-2912), Gabby Daniels (gdaniels@hcapicayune.com), and Kellie Pascal (kpascal@hcapicayune.com).
Overview: HCA students ages 4 – 16 are able to compete in soccer. HCA has teams in the Pearl River County Soccer Club. Students register through the league at prscms.org and are placed on school teams by age divisions. Registration begins in July with practices starting at the beginning of the school year.
Coach: Coaches are determined once teams are made. Any questions may be directed to Sadie Black at sblack@hcapicayune.com
Overview: In 2023, the Heritage Christian Academy swim team will begin the 7th season. Swim is a fall sport which begins training in June and competes during August and September. The Warriors practice at Millbrook Country Club and host Saturday meets against other private elementary schools out of Slidell. Summer practices are Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Practices during August and September are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Beginning swimmers practice two of those days and veteran swimmers practice three days.
Achievements: The Warriors compete yearly in the Overall Mid-South Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Overall Swim Meet. In 2021 our elementary team placed 5th out of 16 teams. In 2022, HCA had its best performance, placing 2nd out of 17 teams in the elementary division. The upper elementary girl’s relay team won both the freestyle and medley relays. The lower elementary girls placed first in the medley relay and 4th in the freestyle relay. Individually the warriors had nine swimmers place in top 8 scoring points for the team. They were led by 1st place finishes by Kayley Salinas (50 fly, 100 IM), Stella Beech (25 free, 50 free), Holden Beech (25 fly, 25 free) and Emma Massey (25 fly). Other individuals finished as followed; Lana Davis (2nd 25 free, 3rd, 50 free), Alex Klope (3rd 25 breast) Leah Davis (3rd 50 Breast), Kristen Salinas (3rd 100 IM, 4th 50 fly), and Gabby Miceli (4th 50 back). This many top finishes was very impressive considering Heritage competed against all divisions in the MAIS Overall Swim Meet. The warriors hope to continue to grow their program at all grades. In 2023, we hope to have enough middle school and high school swimmers to compete in relays at the high school level.
Coach: The coaching staff has many years of experience, including Lynne Stockstill (6 years), Renee Salinas (5 years), and Jenny Massey (4 years with the Heritage).
2023 Rookies Schedule:
8/17 HCA @ Ben’s Ford
9/5 HCA @ Laurel Christian 6:00
9/12 HCA @ Northshore Vultures
9/26 HCA @ Laurel Christian 6:00
10/3 HCA @ Northshore Vultures
2023 JV Schedule:
8/17 HCA @ Ben’s Ford
9/7 HCA @ CCA 6:00
9/21 HCA @ Ben’s Ford
9/28 HCA @ CCA 6:00
10/24 HCA @ Northshore Vultures
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2023 Schedule:
8/15 HCA @ Pine 5:00 – 6:00
8/17 HCA vs Coastal Wildcats 5:00 – 6:00
8/21 HCA @ Lumberton 5:00 – 6:00
8/24 HCA @ FCAHS 5:00 – 6:00
8/29 HCA @ Richton 5:00 – 6:00
9/5 HCA @ Poplarville 5:30 – 6:30
9/12 HCA vs Lumberton 5:00 – 6:00
9/14 HCA vs McLain Attendance 5:00 – 6:00
9/18 HCA @ Lumberton 5:00 – 6:00
9/28 HCA vs Pine 5:00 – 6:00
10/2 HCA @ CCA 5:00 – 6:00
10/16 Overall Tournament @ Clinton TBD
10/18Championship @ Clinton TBD
**ALL HOME GAMES ARE PLAYED AT PRCC IN SHIVERS GYM