Ponte Vedra High School’s athletic programs did not take long to start winning, as they won a state title in girls soccer in the school’s first year in 2009.
Since then, they have continued to win and have racked up their share of rings and trophies, so much so that those championships and players will soon have a special place of remembrance as the school is in the works to create the PVHS sports hall of fame.
To commemorate the creation of the hall of fame, members of the 2009 girls soccer team joined the 2024 girls soccer team for a reception and halftime celebration during the Sharks’ football game against Beachside on Sept. 13.
According to Kate Zarczynski, whose daughter swims for the Ponte Vedra High swim team, said that the idea for the hall of fame first became a topic of discussion after the school had their 15th graduating class walk across stage last year.
Prior to the hall of fame being constructed, the banners for each title won were hung along the walls of the gym, but it did not seem to give the titles their true justice.
“We thought about it, and this is just a much better way to make sure that the stories are captured,” Zarczynski said. “Because it’s not just the trophies, but the people and the unique tales behind the accomplishment.”
Some of the memorable stories over the years that will now be featured as part of a display case tribute along the hall in the gym where players walk from the locker room to the court.
These stories include Nick Tronti being named Mr. Football in Florida and the Class 5A player of the year in 2016; the story behind the Sharks being known as “Goalie U” in boys lacrosse due to five goalies being named All-Americans; and Nicolette Donovan and Taylor Funk being only the second pair of golfers in FHSAA history to win individual golf state titles from the same school in the same day.
Down from the display case, which is bound to grow, will be a wall that will recognize many of the great athletes that have gone from PVHS to play in college.
Completion of the wall is currently in the works, but as you walk in the gym, there are now boards on each side of the concession stand, with one side being all the individual state champions, while the other side has all the team state winners.
