With big changes to the varsity soccer program and new construction in the works, major expansion is underway at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School.
Building on the success of its girls’ middle school, Mount Vernon launches varsity girls’ soccer this season.
“Historically we’ve had a strong middle school program,” said Athletic Director Mark Heiser. “This is just a natural progression.”
Mount Vernon middle school girls’ soccer holds the North Atlanta Metro League (NAML) championship two years running.
“I think we will be competitive right away,” Heiser said. “Our girls are used to winning and being competitive.”
Changes are also in store for the varsity boys this year as they prepare for a spring schedule instead of the former fall schedule they’ve had since the team formed four years ago.
Mount Vernon, which is joining the Georgia High School Association in the fall, recently broke ground on a new 11,000-square-foot field house. Mount Vernon will play in GHSA’s Class A Region 5, an association spokesman said.
Set for completion this fall, the new facility will include a weight room, locker rooms, meeting area and coachs’ offices. In addition, the grass soccer and football field will be converted to synthetic turf.
The move to artificial turf was a practical matter, Heiser said.
“We have five soccer teams, three football teams, track and P.E. all using the same field. By October, it’s nothing but dirt,” he said.
“We are committed to excellence in our athletic program,” Heiser said. “We want to be on par with the rest of the area.”
Senior Nnenya Hailey holds state records in the 300-meter hurdles and won a gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the World Youth Championships, which were held in France last summer.
Mount Vernon is moving from the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) to the larger and more competitive Georgia High School Association (GHSA).
Mount Vernon’s Junior Varsity boys’ team finished in first place overall in the state championship.