By Beth Jones
Signing day is a source of pride for all high school coaches, but when the signee is also your nephew, it’s an especially memorable day. Such was the case for Fernandina Beach High School head golf coach Christina Steffen and nephew Brady on April 29. Brady Steffen was one of five FBHS student-athletes who penned national letters of intent to play at the next level.
“I’m excited for him to move on to the next level and follow in his auntie’s footsteps and play college golf,” Christina Steffen said in front of the gathering of friends and family in the multi-purpose room.
The FBHS alum was a college golfer, and now her nephew will continue the family tradition. Brady Steffen signed to golf at the New College of Florida.
“He was a four-year letterman,” Christina Steffen said. “He had quite a few accomplishments, the last two years especially. He was top 10 in the district junior and senior year, and he was my captain junior and senior year, as well.”
“I just want to thank my friends, my family and especially my aunt,” Brady Steffen said.
The FBHS girls soccer team had two signees. Charleston Knight will play at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Sarah Benjamin is also heading to the New College of Florida.
The pair’s accomplishments were mirror images, as both were four-year starters, and this season, co-captains and co-MVPs. Both helped steer the Pirates to their first district title in 10 years, and both were named to the all-First Coast honorable mention team.
“We’re really proud of her and all she’s accomplished,” head girls soccer coach Amy Strozinsky said of Knight. “She’s super hard-working, she’s super supportive of her teammates, she’s a wonderful person, and we’re really, really proud of her.”
Knight addressed the crowd next.
“I just wanted to say thanks for everyone in this community who helped me get better and get to this spot,” she said.
Benjamin scored the winning goal in the district championship game.
“She is also incredibly hard-working, incredibly smart,” Strozinsky said of her second signee. “Her freshman-year coach, Coach Foxworth, described her as a true student of the game, because she always wants to learn more and push herself to understand the game better and help her teammates to understand the game better, as well.
“We’re super proud of Sarah and what she accomplished and how far she’s come, and we can’t wait to see what amazing things she does at the New College of Florida.”
Benjamin also spoke.
“I would just like to thank my teammates and coaches for allowing me to better myself every day, and to my parents, it wouldn’t be possible without you guys,” she said. “All the long rides. No words could express how grateful I am.”
Baseball had a pair of signees. Conner Bayless is heading to Daytona Beach Christian University, and Lucas Hutchinson will play at Southern Wesleyan University.
“Conner came to us this year from Hilliard,” said Jon Shave, head baseball coach at FBHS. “I wish we would have had him for four years, but we only got him for one.
“He’s done a great job. Showing up and doing what he did here, playing short stop for us every day. He’s had a tremendous year. He spent a lot of years in Hilliard, but I feel like he’s a true Pirate.
“We look forward to great things from him in the future. There’s no reason why he won’t go on and do great things. We’re just really proud of him.”
Bayless addressed the attendees.
“First, I’d like to thank God for giving me this opportunity to play at the next level, and I really thank the Fernandina Beach coaching staff and all my teammates throughout this long journey,” he said. “Big thanks to Coach Shave for giving me the opportunity to play every day, and big thanks to the DBC coaching staff.”
Shave had nothing but praise for his second signee, Hutchinson.
“Not only is he a great baseball player, maybe the best I ever had,” Shave said. “He’s really, really talented, he’s not afraid of hard work, he loves the weight room. I think he missed one practice in all these years here, and that was go to see his brother.
“Just very proud of him. You don’t have to worry about this kid, because he loves the Lord.”
Hutchinson expressed his gratitude.
“First, I’d like to thank God for just the opportunity to play this wonderful game,” he said. “Big thanks to my older brother. He’s not here, but he’s always been the rock I can lean on and pour everything on.”
The Pirate baseball team went 23-6 this spring, capturing the district crown and making it to the semifinal round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
