Hernando High Austin Galda: Soccer and Baseball
The first official soccer scholarship signing for a Hernando High School student-athlete occurred on March 26, 2019. “Hard work,” Senior Austin Galda said. “That is what everything is based on hard work and dedication.” Galda signed at Community College of Baltimore County in Maryland to obtain his nursing degree with scholarships for soccer and baseball. He explained that out of the schools he received offers from, Community College of Baltimore County was one of the only schools with a nursing program. Galda’s main sport was baseball until Coach Jonathan Stone introduced him to soccer. “I have to thank Coach Stone. If it weren’t for him, I would never be signing for soccer because I would never have played soccer,” Galda said.
Hernando High isn’t known for its soccer program, but Coach Stone has taken great strides in improving the program over the past two seasons as head coach. Galda’s soccer scholarship is hopefully the first of many opportunities to come. Assistant Principal Lorenzo Fields remarked that this first soccer signing for Hernando High School says a lot about what Coach Stone has done with the program and what he has accomplished.
Coach Stone remarked about his role as a coach and Galda’s potential, “He is prepared to excel, and he is prepared to get better. To me, my job as a coach isn’t necessarily to win every game, it’s to turn a high school student into an athlete and send him off onto the next step and prepare him for the next step, so I think that for me is rewarding.”
Stone added in regards to the growth of the program, “I came into this wanting to get more kids into the program. I came in with 18 kids playing soccer. This year we had 64 come out, and I think that alone allows the program to grow and allows more students to have an opportunity to go forward.”
Springstead High School Signings
Emily Kolwicz signed to play softball for JUCO Lake Sumter State College Lake Hawks in
Leesburg, FL. She has played 4 years in Springstead’s program, earning 3 straight district championships and 2 elite 8 appearances.
Career at Springstead – 3rd/SS
Batting – .327 Avg / .391 OBP / 111 Hits/ 42 RBI / 106 Runs
Unweighted GPA – 3.8909
Weighted GPA – 4.3454
Mariah Galhouse another softball powerhouse signed with Division 2 University of Tampa Spartans – Tampa, FL. Galhouse notched 2 years in the Springstead program and was a member of last year’s District Championship team.
Career at Springstead – SS/P
Batting – .481 Avg / .562 OBP / 65 Hits/ 42 RBI / 65 Runs / 9 HR
Pitching – 15-4 / 7 Shutouts / 145 K / .45 ERA
GPA – 3.088
Chris “Ian” Morales signed with NAIA Campbellsville University Tigers in Campbellsville, KY for wrestling.
He has been with the Springstead wrestling program for 4 Years earning a record of 126-22 with 88 Pins.
2 x District Champ
2 x Region Champ
2 x State Placer – Both 4th in the state
3 District Team Championships and 2 Dual District Team Championships
Unweighted GPA – 2.833
Weighted GPA – 2.845
