MaxPreps Tour of Champions travels to Florida to honor Ponte Vedra soccer

Come rain or shine, sink or swim, the MaxPreps Soccer Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard was determined to celebrate the Ponte Vedra High School boys soccer team. On a rainy evening, the Sharks' family and friends, from as far away as Texas, and classmates gathered to honor the team for their outstanding accomplishments this season.

With a record of 24–3–4, the Sharks captured the Florida Class 3A state championship with a win over defending champion American Heritage (Plantation) 2-0, the first in the school's young five-year history. To highlight this achievement, the Sharks also ended their season with a national ranking of No. 22 according to the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. The Ponte Vedra Sharks are among the very best in the country out of more than 13,000 boys soccer teams.

As the rain continued, so did the celebration. During the trophy presentation to Coach Daniel Villareal and the team, Master Sergeant William Kessler of the Florida Army National Guard compared the tenacity, determination, hard work and character of this team to the qualities fostered by the Army National Guard, highlighting that the heart of this team was their greatest strength. All season long, perseverance had been the motto of a championship team.

Coach Villareal and the Sharks were extremely grateful for the honor. A picture-perfect moment, with smiles for miles, the team raised the Army National Guard national ranking trophy in gratitude before those in attendance. As one parent stated, "We are thankful for MaxPreps and the Army National Guard for recognizing our boys. They've worked extremely hard this year."



Congratulations Ponte Vedra High Sharks!