Michael Cartagena, 2A East Region Soccer Coach of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 20, 2025
Contact: Kristofer Sippel
CEO/Superintendent of Schools
San Tan Charter School Inc.
480-222-0811
Michael Cartagena, Head Soccer Coach at San Tan Charter School, is Named 2A East Region Coach of the Year
Cartagena, who is in his first year coaching at San Tan Charter School, helped bring the boys’ high school soccer team to its first ever appearance in the playoffs
GILBERT, Arizona—To say that Michael Cartagena, head soccer coach at San Tan Charter School, has accomplished an enormous amount in his first year at the school is definitely an understatement.
The boys’ high school soccer team finished their season with a new school program record of 10 wins – a huge increase over the previous season’s single win; the team scored 45 goals this season compared to last year’s nine goals; the team moved up from last year’s ranking of 50th to 10th in the 2A conference and the team ended up finishing second in the region.
“This was the first time the soccer program at San Tan has ever been to the playoffs, so it’s been a record-breaking season for sure,” Cartagena said, adding that the team reached the quarterfinals.
These impressive successes helped Cartagena to be named the 2A East Region Coach of the Year.
“I was surprised when I was nominated, and even more surprised when I heard I won,” Cartagena said.
“The boys have made it extremely easy to be a great coach. They follow my game plan and work hard at practices, and their willingness to adapt to every situation is the reason why I’ve had a lot of success this year.”
While the talent and commitment of the student athletes definitely played a part in the team’s success this year, Athletic Director Kristofer Sippel Jr. said Cartagena’s passion for the game was also a key factor.
“Coach Cartagena has completely changed the narrative of our soccer program in one year. He knew the situation he was walking into wasn’t easy, but he was ready for the challenge,” Sippel said.
“In one year, he has grown our soccer program from 15 junior high and high school students to over 70. He has created a fun, competitive environment that student-athletes want to be around. I am super lucky as an athletic director to work with someone who is this passionate about the sport and the kids he coaches.”
As Brandon Tauscher, Principal of San Tan Charter School’s 7-12 Power Campus noted, the players have gravitated towards Cartagena’s leadership, which in turn has helped the program succeed.
“To have him earn Coach of the Year recognition in the East Region is a big deal as it is voted on by the coaches, and coaches in this region in particular have very successful programs,” Tauscher said.
Cartagena, who has played soccer his entire life, brought a great deal of experience to his new role at San Tan.
“Soccer has been a passion of mine for a very long time. It started with spending time with my dad every day after school, and I played club soccer through grade school and high school as well as playing for my high school soccer team,” Cartagena said.
“Not wanting years of experience go to waste, I decided to start coaching 11 years ago when I was 19 years old. I started coaching second grade recreation soccer and at that moment I knew I would be a coach for the long term. I’ve coached at various high schools as their junior varsity head soccer coach, with San Tan Charter School being my very first varsity head coach job.”
As for what drew him to San Tan Charter School, Cartagena credits the school’s commitment to family values and to success in every area.
“From academics, clubs and sports the school makes sure they strive for excellence across the board, and I want to be a part of a community that not only treats you like part of the family but pushes you to be better,” Cartagena said.
Looking back at his first year as soccer coach at San Tan Charter School, Cartagena is proud of the team’s success, as well as the bond he has created with his players, both on and off the field.
“I feel that my players will show up and work hard because I put the work in to get to know them outside of soccer,” he said.
“I follow a player’s first approach; they must know you care, they must know you are willing to help them in any scenario, good or bad. That bond you create allows them to play freely on the field.”
***ADDITIONAL PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST***For more information about Coach Michael Cartagena, please contact Kristofer Sippel Sr. at 480-222-0811.
About San Tan Charter School:
San Tan Charter School is a Kindergarten through 12th grade public non-profit tuition free charter school with soon to be three campuses in Gilbert and Queen Creek. The Power campus in Gilbert serves grades 7th through 12th. The Recker campus in Gilbert includes a private Montessori preschool and a K-12 tuition free Montessori program in addition to K-6 gifted and mainstream classrooms serving grades PreK through 12th. The Signal Butte campus in Queen Creek includes a private Montessori preschool in addition to K-6 gifted, mainstream and Montessori classrooms serving grades PreK through 6th. The school culture is welcoming and peaceful with a Love and Logic® approach to classroom management that is focused on building mutually respectful relationships and communicating with respect and kindness. With an intentional whole child approach to education and learning the school focuses on “Education with a Purpose,” which means the teachers encourage their students’ love of learning through purposeful and meaningful work at each students cutting edge of learning which enables students to develop critical thinking skills, confidence and independence. San Tan Charter School also offers a championship athletics experience 5th through 12th grades with recess and PE daily K-6, as well as many other specials and electives daily-Art, Music, Outdoor Environment, Dance, Strength Training, Weights, Drama and more. San Tan Charter School is focused on maximizing each student’s intellectual and social-emotional development with an inclusive Gifted program K-12, Honors/AP classes, Concurrent/Dual Enrollment classes, Career and Technical Education (CTE)-Culinary, and Juniors and Seniors have the opportunity to attend half day EVIT(East Valley Institute of Technology). For more information, please visit https://santancharterschool.com/
