Athletes of the Month

Kinnah Kreidler, a senior varsity volleyball player at J.W. Mitchell High School, was selected as the Gregg Schindler Female Student Athlete for September

By Hanna Carberry- Simmering

As the new school year begins, so does Kinnah Kreidler’s (’23) last year of high school. While she was in sixth grade, Kreidler had been exclusively playing softball when she decided it was time for something new. She decided on volleyball and has stuck with it for the past six years. Now as her sixth and final year starts, she plans to spend it surrounded by her teammates as they prepare for the upcoming matches. “[We] usually as a team, go out to dinner to kind of calm ourselves down. We just like to have fun before the games and try not to take anything super seriously. This year I’m finishing up volleyball strong as this will be my last year playing and then I’ll have a successful softball season later this year,” Kreidler said. Though Kreidler’s volleyball career is coming to an end this will not be the end to her career in sports. After this school year she will be attending University of Tampa on a softball scholarship. Kreidler looks up to anyone who is a hard worker and professionally softball players like Sierra Mero. She looks forward to playing rivalry games this year and is ready to show how she’s approved since last season. “I’ve improved tremendously thanks to all my coaches for volleyball. They’ve helped me so much since I don’t play volleyball for a club. [I feel] they have helped me so much just in this small part of the year,” Kreidler said. Kreidler was selected as Player of the Match after their game against Largo High School on Aug. 23 and again on Aug. 25 against Gulf High School. Currently, the girls varsity volleyball team has a three week winning streak consisting of games against Largo, Gulf, and Sickles. Brad Weber, J.W. Mitchell High Coach of the varsity and JV girls volleyball team nominated Kreidler for the Gregg Schindler Female Student Athlete of The Month. “ Kinnah was the player of the game in both our opening two wins with a combined total of 19 Kills, 4 Service Aces and 6 Blocks.” Coach Weber said.

Congratulations to Kinnah Kreidler, Gregg Schindler Female Student Athlete of the Month.

Kinnah Kreidler (‘23) smiles at her fellow team mates before the game during introductions. Photo provided by Kinnah Kreidler

Mitchell High School, Varsity football captain, Drayk Simmons (‘23) has been selected by Coach Schmitz for the Gregg Schindler Athlete of the Month

By Cassidy Thurber

September’s athlete of the month, Drayk Simmons (‘23), shines on the field during Friday night’s Varsity games as the first-string wide receiver and captain.

Simmons fell in love with football at six years old, when he started playing for the New Tampa Wildcats Pop Warner team. Since then, he has dominated the sport, being pulled up from Junior Varsity to Varsity his sophomore year. Head Coach Schmitz guided Simmons’ transition throughout his high school football career, making the decision to pull him up to Varsity.

“Coach Schmitz is an amazing coach who has guided me throughout the last 4 years. Coach has really taught me how to be a great player on and off the field; which I’m super thankful for. He truly is one of the greatest coaches I’ve had,” Simmons said.

Gaining experience since freshman year, as Simmons plays alongside his teammates, he has built a close teammate relationship on and off the field. After earning the captain spot on Varsity during his senior year, he led the team to a win at their first game against Gulf High School. Starting the year off strong, Simmons tied a school record: three touchdowns at a single game.

“Playing with my teammates for years has really helped me because they keep me in line when I’m being lazy or doing something wrong that’s why I think it’s great to be so close with my teammates on and off the field we really become a family and make sure we keep everyone accountable, same with my coach. I have great leaders on the team and because of that I think we’re headed in the right direction,” Simmons said.

Coach Schmitz recognized Simmons for On August 19 2022, Drayk Simmons (‘23) surveys the field at the preseason game happening at Steinbrennar High School. Photo by Kole McGibbon

this honor after seeing growth in his skill and maturity level.

“Our relationship has gotten so much better as he’s gotten older. I think he would even admit he was a little bit immature as a freshman, but he’s turned into a mature young man. I feel I have a tight relationship with him, he can be honest with me, and I can be honest with him as far as telling him when he’s doing well and critiquing him when he’s not,” Schmitz said.

Congratulations to Drayk Simmons for being awarded the Gregg Schindler Athlete for September.