KNOXVILLE — The Knoxville school board hired Cardinal coach Steph Christner to be the next head softball coach at Knoxville High School, starting with the 2010 summer season.

Christner is currently the assistant softball coach and transportation director at William Penn University as well as the head softball coach at Cardinal, where she has won two state titles. She has extensive experience as both a coach and a player.

Christner began her college career at Indian Hills Community College where she was named “All Region 7”

She then played for Division I Michigan State where she named to the Region II All-Tournament Team. Christner then transferred to William Penn where she earned numerous honors, including NFCA All-American in 2005.

Christner coached the Cardinal of Eldon softball team from 2002-2009, with the exception of 2006 when she was serving as the head softball coach at Ashford University in Clinton.

Steph Christner coached Cardinal to five conference titles in her seven years. She also coached the Comets to Class 1A titles in 2002 and 2003. Her team also qualified for the 2A state tournament in 2005.

“I think Knoxville has some good athletes, and this is a good opportunity to move up,” commented Christner. “My style of coaching will probably be different from what the girls are used to. There will be some changes, so I hope the players are ready to work hard.”

Christner will be replacing Jerry Nikkel, who resigned after three years at the helm of the Knoxville program.