Athletics Newsletter
September
At St. Luke's Episcopal School, sports are integral to fostering the development of the whole child, promoting physical, emotional, and social growth from early childhood through 8th grade. Athletics teach students valuable lessons in teamwork, discipline, and perseverance while encouraging healthy lifestyles that endure. Participation in sports builds leadership skills, resilience, and character, preparing students to handle challenges with integrity. I look forward to the opportunity to lead this journey, cultivating St. Luke's student-athletes who excel both on and off the field.
Email: eburton@sles-sa.org
“The wall is your mind playing tricks on you. You just need to say, 'One more step, I can do this. I have more in me.' You'll be so proud of yourself once you push pass your threshold.”
Kerry Walsh, American Beach Volleyball Player
GO TIGERS!!!
Coach Alex Harden
Email: aharden24@hotmail.com
My journey has been driven by a passion for excellence, both on and off the court. In high school, I competed in volleyball, cross country, track, and basketball, which ultimately led to a full athletic scholarship to Wichita State University. Playing Division I basketball, I was honored to lead my team to three conference championships and to be named Most Outstanding Player three times, along with two Defensive Player of the Year awards. Earlier this year, I was inducted into the Wichita State University Sports Hall of Fame—a milestone that feels incredibly rewarding.
My professional basketball career began in 2015, when I was drafted 18th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA. After three years, an injury shifted my path, but I continued to play professionally overseas, spending the next eight years in Portugal, Turkey, Israel, and Spain. These experiences were invaluable, enriching my life both professionally and personally.
Now, as a broker associate with Keller Williams in San Antonio, I bring the same commitment and determination to real estate. Basketball remains close to my heart, and I’m grateful to stay connected to the game through the San Antonio Spurs basketball camps, where I can pass on my knowledge and passion to young athletes. My journey has taught me resilience and the importance of community, and I’m dedicated to bringing those values to everything I do.
Coach JT (Jeremy “JT” Tracy)
Email: Jtracy1875@gmail.com
Coach JT recently retired from a 21-year career serving in the U.S. Navy. He spent most of his career in Naval Special Forces, and ending his career, he served as a military diplomat assigned to US Embassies in Seoul, South Korea, and Colombo, Sri Lanka. During his military career, he spent much of his free time coaching and playing basketball, a lifetime passion. His coaching journey began with coaching his daughter’s youth recreation teams. Eventually, it led to being the assistant coach of the high school boys' and girl’s teams at the local international school in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Upon retirement and returning to the U.S. this year, he started coaching youth basketball with the San Antonio Spurs Sports Academy.
GIRL'S A-TEAM
Parker Christy
Adriana Dennis
Liliana Garza
Hazel Holt
Georgina Light
Ellie McKenna
Louisa McLaughlin
Sadie Saunders
Victoria Venable
Lyle Wolff
GIRL'S B-TEAM
Alice Chyrak
Noland Louise Hager
Katherine Kinney
Georgia-Ann Leigh
Maddie Myers
Alessandra Sordo-Oberle
Finley Spielhagen
Lucy Stephens
Allie Trefzer
Coach
Breanna Cortinas
Throughout my 12-plus years of experience, my passion for the game has driven me to coach at the club, high school, and now elementary levels, allowing me to tailor my approach to meet the needs of different age groups while fostering a love for the sport. Volleyball has taught me the significance of communication, adaptability, and creating engaging practices that motivate players to achieve their full potential.
RED TEAM Tigers
RED Team
Parker Christy #16
Cataleya Franklin #25
Liliana Garza #17
Noland Louise Hager #14
Hazel Holt #23
Georgina Light #0
Madison Myers #15
Finley Spielhagen #2
Lyle Wolff #1
Coach
Valerie Vied
Coach Vied began coaching for KIPP University Prep High School in San Antonio in 2012, and in 2013 the Trailblazers made it to the final four in the state competition. The following year, she moved to Tennessee where she served as an assistant coach for the Smyrna Bulldogs from 2014-2016. While living in Murfreesboro, TN from 2014-2019, Coach Vied also coached various club teams with MidTN VBC. Coach Vied was named Head Coach for the Smyrna Bulldogs in 2017, and under her leadership in 2018, the Smyrna Bulldogs turned around their season record and began to forge a new reputation for the program in their 9-AAA district by putting up more wins than losses. Coach Vied took a short hiatus from coaching volleyball when she returned to San Antonio in 2019, but she was eager to return to the court in 2022 when she joined the St. Luke's faculty, and she has thoroughly enjoyed coaching the St. Luke's Tigers for the past three years.
Coach
Lillian Ray
I am excited to help train with the cross-country runners. My ultimate goal is to cultivate a love of running in every student. I love running and believe it’s a lifelong sport that everyone should get to enjoy. I believe that running is not only great for physical health, but also for mental health. I hope to help my team learn to find joy in running as much as I have.
Coaches
Angie Shotzberger
Tobin Smith
James Williams
Thank you for volunteering your time and talents to support our students through soccer. Your dedication not only helps them learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship, but also ensures they have fun and develop a love for the game. We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact you make on their lives!
Coaches
Webster Baldwin
Marc Smith
Thank you for volunteering your time and talents to support our students through soccer. Your dedication not only helps them learn the value of teamwork and sportsmanship, but also ensures they have fun and develop a love for the game. We are incredibly grateful for the positive impact you make on their lives!
Coach
Alexis Rodriguez
With over 10 years of experience in coaching and playing soccer, I am dedicated to developing social, emotional, and physical skill-building through active play. I am skilled in creating a positive community for growth and learning through principles of inclusion and empowerment.
Coach
Mollie Ortega
This is my 9th year of teaching and 4th year coaching! I previously coached one year of high school dance team and two years of middle school cheer at schools in New Orleans, LA. I have been dancing since childhood and have experience with the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). I believe that the personal values instilled in cheer will help students carry themselves and succeed throughout life as they put work and effort into their goals and dreams!
