The weekend of November 15-16 marked an extraordinary milestone for Aristoi Classical Academy athletics, as three teams brought home state championship titles: the girls

varsity flag football team, the boys varsity volleyball Team, and the seventh and eighth grade

flag football team, the public charter school announced in a November 19 press release. “Throughout the fall, gratefulness has defined Aristoi Athletics, and this historic weekend perfectly embodied that spirit,” the release said.


Each championship carried a unique story. The girls varsity flag football team made

history by securing the first-ever state title, a groundbreaking moment for Aristoi. Coach Courtney Garcia reflected, "This win is bigger than a trophy. These girls just opened a door that

can never be closed again. They proved that when young women are given a field to

play on, they don’t just show up—they make history."


The boys varsity volleyball team delivered an emotional and hard-fought victory,

overcoming momentum shifts and intense pressure with resilience and heart.

"This is possibly the toughest team I've ever coached,” said Coach

Russell Stepp. “It takes a lot of grit to pull off a reverse sweep, and even more to do it twice. I'm proud of all their hard work and effort over the years, and I'm grateful to the Aristoi community, coaches, and parents who supported these boys to a State Championship. It wouldn't have been

possible without them."


While the volleyball team showcased resilience, the seventh and eighth grade flag football

team demonstrated relentless determination in their own championship battle. Coach Robert

Oliphant said, "This State Championship is more than just a title; it is a testament to

this team's unwavering grit and determination. While their talent often made games look

easy, their true character shone brightest in the moments when players went down and

hope seemed lost. In those crucial times, they dug deep, found strength within each

other, and refused to give up."


Championship Results

• Girls varsity flag football defeated IDEA Edgecliff, 38 to 0.

• Boys varsity volleyball claimed victory over Uplift Infinity in a five-set thriller.

• Seventh and eighth grade flag football earned a 38 to 27 win over ILT Mansfield in a

back-and-forth contest.


Reflecting on the season, Athletic Director Coach Boling emphasized the bigger picture,

saying, "Real success is not measured on the scoreboard. It is measured in the daily

choices our athletes make and in the character they reveal." That commitment to

character and teamwork was evident across all three championship teams.


What made the championship weekend even more remarkable is the rapid rise of two programs that are still very new to Aristoi. “Their early success highlights what is possible through

dedication, vision, and belief,” said the school’s press release. “Aristoi Athletics continues to strengthen its culture of unity, with coaches supporting other programs, athletes cheering on their teammates, and parents fully embracing the mission of building something meaningful together.”


As Aristoi moves into the winter season, the department looks forward to continued

growth rooted in virtue, purpose, and teamwork. “This weekend’s victories are a

testament not only to talent but to the enduring spirit of the Griffin community,” the school said.


Aristoi Classical Academy is a K-12 open-enrollment public charter school based in Katy at 5610 Morton Road. The school originally opened in 1996 and was then called West Houston Charter School. The school was renamed in 2006. The school’s mission is to provide students with an academically challenging Classical Liberal Arts education that encourages them to develop a passion for learning and that gives them the means to become responsible citizens of virtuous character, according to its website.