Worthington Christian Taps Elifritz To Launch Flag Football Program

Worthington — Sometimes life has a way of coming full circle. Experiences align, opportunities connect, and new chapters begin. For Allie Elifritz, that feeling is true in more ways than one.

Worthington Christian has announced Elifritz as the inaugural head coach of its newly launched girls flag football program. Elifritz isn’t just another hire, nor simply another alumna returning to campus.

As a sophomore in 2000, she was part of Worthington Christian’s inaugural girls soccer team and went on to become a standout athlete for the Warriors before continuing her success at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

“It feels full circle to be able to lead an inaugural season of a sport at WC,” Elifritz said. “I remember what it felt like to be a player who was part of building something new, and now I get to lead that charge as the coach.”

In July, the OHSAA officially added girls flag football as a sanctioned sport beginning in the spring. The Cleveland Browns launched the first girls flag football division in Northeast Ohio in 2021, while the Cincinnati Bengals have led similar efforts in their region.

Athletic director Tony Earp says launching girls flag football at Worthington Christian will benefit students and open new opportunities for them.

“The support of the Cleveland Browns organization of girls flag football make it much easier for schools to add the program,” Earp said. “Girls flag football is another great opportunity for more girls in our school to be part of a team, compete, and learn a new sport that is growing quickly in popularity and post-high school options to play.”

Despite early optimism, challenges remain. Balancing flag football within an already crowded spring sports calendar and managing roster size for a game that fields only five players at a time are among them.

Elifritz noted that around 20 high school players have already expressed interest, with more waiting in middle school. For now, though, the Warriors expect to field only a varsity team this spring.

“With building a new program, it is important to have numbers,” Elifritz said. ” Balancing five players on the field at a time with a team of 20 will need some figuring out. Hopefully we add a JV team soon.”

Ultimately, Worthington Christian has high hopes for the program. Not only for the opportunities it creates, but also for its mission of keeping God at the center of athletics.

“We wanted a coach who was going to use sports to build our students’ relationship with Christ, and Coach Elifritz is fully committed to the mission of Worthington Christian,” Earp said. “Our hope is that it opens up opportunities for students who are not currently involved in another sport and for post-high school options for college.”

Elifritz echoes a similar sentiment and notes that the community has been a huge part of getting the ball rolling.

“We play for a higher purpose: honoring God with our words and actions and working at everything for the glory of God,” she said. “There seems to be a lot of excitement for the launch of this program. I am blessed to be in a community who is very encouraging and have an athletic director who is a go-getter and very organized and supportive.”