Pusch Ridge Christian Academy

Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is a private school located in northwest Tucson, Arizona, on a 48 acres (190,000 m²) campus. Pusch Ridge Christian Academy is a ministry of Catalina Foothills Church, PCA. The school is a member of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) and NCA (North Central Association) accredited. Pusch Ridge serves grades 6-12.

History

On December 22, 1958, Charles William Egleston (1895–1965) and his wife Anna Kehr Egleston (1898–1997) donated 65 acres (260,000 m²) of pristine desert property in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains at the base of Pusch Ridge to Palo Verde Baptist Church of North Tucson.^[1] The Eglestons gifted Palo Verde their largest and most valuable real estate holding to be used "for religious and educational purposes only," with a firm vision that the property would support a school grounded in Christian values and faith.

The property was subdivided in late 1977 for the establishment of Canyon del Oro Baptist Church on the southern 16 acres (65,000 m²) of the land.^[1] The other 49 acres (200,000 m²) remained undeveloped through 1982, when Max Wilford, the president of the Palo Verde Christian School Board directed the commencement of construction on the Egleston property.^[1] Wilford intended to relocate Palo Verde Christian School from its location in Tucson to the property in Oro Valley.

In the fall of 1994, Palo Verde Christian High School opened its doors on the Egleston property in Oro Valley.^[1] This new location was effectively the middle and high schools, serving grades 6-12, while grades K-5 remained at the Palo Verde Baptist Church property in Tucson. Due to financial difficulties, by early 2000, the school was struggling to remain solvent. It was at that time that the leadership of Catalina Foothills Church, PCA, wanted to open a Christian high school.^[1] Through the leadership of David Mehl and other members of the Catalina Foothills Church community, ownership of the school transferred from Palo Verde Baptist Church to Catalina Foothills in early 2000.^[1] In February 2000, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy was officially established on the Egleston property, and all outstanding loans of the former Palo Verde Christian School were paid back in full.^[1]

The main entrance to the Pusch Ridge campus and Canyon del Oro Baptist from North Oracle Road is named Egleston Memorial Drive in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Egleston, and North Egleston Drive running just east of the nearby James D. Kriegh Park also honors the Eglestons.

Pusch Ridge currently has a high school enrollment of nearly 300 students, and has recently expanded its campus.

Mascot

The school mascot is a lion. Originally, he was known as the Lion of Judah, but the name was changed around 2005 to "Lonnie the Lion".

Mission

"Pusch Ridge Christian Academy exists to glorify God by edifying young men and women from the Tucson community in their personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Our desire is to equip these young people with a Christian world and life view, which will prepare them academically, socially, physically, and emotionally to live out their faith as servant leaders in every area of society."

Athletics

The high school varsity girls' basketball team, coached by Lonnie Tvrdy, won the Arizona state championship four years in a row from 2005 to 2008, but were eliminated from the championship in February 2009.

The high school varsity girls' cross-country team placed second at the 2011 State Meet at Cave Creek Golf Course for Division IV.

The Pusch Ridge baseball team, coached by former major league pitcher Doug Jones, won the Arizona 2A state championship in 2009.

The following year, under head coach Mark Frithsen, the Lions had an undefeated season led by team captains Alec Erceg, Owen Bertelsen, and Aaron Vaughn before being defeated in the semi-final game as they attempted to defend their state championship title. 2011 saw limited success for the Lions, who finished with a losing record but still made the playoffs, led by senior captains Kory Santaella, Colin Chafin, and Alfonso Ferrari.

In the 2012 baseball season, Pusch Ridge made it to the state playoffs again but lost in the second round to eventual State Champs St. David. In the 2013 season Pusch Ridge lost in the third round.

In 2014, the Lions went 26–5 and made it to the State Championship game. The team broke many school team records with their amazing season. The team was led by seniors Jacob Frithsen, Mike Doty, Ryan Penny, Chad Willis, Kyle Hammond and Phillip Tanner. Frithsen and Doty both had remarkable seasons pitching, while both pitchers posted an under 1.50 ERA. They were led on the offensive side where Frithsen, Penny and Tanner all had an average over .400. Frithsen, Doty, Penny and Tanner were all named to the Division 4 AZBCA All- Star game where the south won 14-6 and Frithsen earned MVP honors. He threw three innings only giving up one run and had a two-RBI single to get things started for the South. The team is coached by Mark Frithsen and Scott Polston.

Lions football has seen great success in their history, mainly with Bob Vance at the helm. They made the playoffs and went undefeated in regional play for three straight years. Notable football players in Vance's tenure included Greg Schimke, Ryan Polston, Andy Knox, Tyler Vance, Trevor Cook, Tyler Goodwillie, Ryan Tanner, John Jackson, Alfonso Ferrari, Colin Chafin, Ryan Alexander, and Daniel Simmons. Schimke, Knox, and Simmons all went on to play college football. In the 2015 season the Lions won division 4 state championships against North West Christian.

See also

• Palo Verde Christian High School

References

External links

• PRCA school homepage
• Catalina Foothills Church, PCA

32°22′38″N 110°57′45″W / 32.3772°N 110.962376°W / 32.3772; -110.962376Coordinates: 32°22′38″N 110°57′45″W / 32.3772°N 110.962376°W / 32.3772; -110.962376