News & Media
Showe Elevated to Head Coach
To our Grace Academy Community,
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the resignation of our long time Head Baseball Coach, Mark Koontz Jr.
Coach Koontz has been an integral part of our Grace Academy family for the past ten years and his dedication, passion, and leadership have left an indelible mark on our baseball program and the lives of countless student-athletes.
Coach Koontz has decided to step down from his role as Head Baseball Coach to allow for complete focus on his family and Upper School principal duties. While this news comes with a heavy heart, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate the incredible legacy he leaves behind!
During his tenure, Coach Koontz has achieved remarkable success on the field, including finishing every season at or above .500 winning percentage, six MDCC titles and many students extending their careers as collegiate players. Coach Koontz was also named the 2018 Private Schools Coach of the Year. Beyond the wins and losses, he has instilled in our players the values of teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, and a strong work ethic. His unwavering commitment to nurturing the holistic development of our student-athletes is a testament to his character and dedication.
While Coach Koontz will no longer be our Head Baseball Coach, we are confident that his influence will continue to resonate within our school community. Please join us in expressing our deepest gratitude to Coach Koontz for his remarkable contributions to our baseball program and for being an extraordinary mentor and friend to our student-athletes.
A search for Grace Academy's next head baseball coach is now underway. Applicants are encouraged to apply via the link below.
In appreciation and admiration,
Zack Morgan // Athletic Director
Recent graduate, Amanda Sweeney, is awarded Waynesburg's Founders Scholarship
Amanda Sweeney, a 2023 graduate of Grace Academy, was awarded the Founders Scholarship from Waynesburg University. Amanda attended Grace Academy from K4 through 12th grade and was a three sport athlete throughout her high school career. She will be attending Waynesburg University in the fall and will be playing on the women's soccer team. To read Amanda's full story click the link below.
Athletics celebrates the 2022-23 academic year with the annual Sports Awards
On May 23, the Grace Academy athletic department hosted its annual Sports Award ceremony. During the program, players, coaches, and teams were awarded for their accomplishments throughout the season via peer nomination and voting. Athletes we also honored for making the MDCC all-conference teams and being awarded for recieving the "KNIGHT Award" which is for athletes for "representing Leadership, Character, Integrity, Athleticism, and the Christian spirit of Grace Academy." The evenings winners include:
Landon Downie - Male Athlete of the Year
Amanda Sweeney - Female Athlete of the Year
Andrew Ingram - Male Rookie of the Year
Erica Long - Female Rookie of the Year
Girls Basketball - Team of the Year
Susanna Barnhart - Coach of the Year
Jilliann Brown - Fellowship of Christian Athletes Award
Alden Tso - Male Scholar Athlete of the Year
Marlie Snyder - Female Scholar Athlete of the Year
Cole Helman, Class of 2014
While at Grace Academy, Cole played Varsity Baseball and Basketball. After graduation he attended Grace College where he studied Sports Business. Cole is currently the Director of Athletic Communications at Palm Beach Atlantic University Athletics.
Cole was recently awarded the College Sports Communicators President's Award. This is Cole's second award in the past 8 months. Read more about Cole's award!