Christina Zaruba elevated to head coach at Springville

SPRINGVILLE - Christina Zaruba has been part of the vast success of the Springville High School girls' basketball program, as a volunteer assistant.

Now, she's the pilot responsible for keeping it sky-high.

Athletics director Joe Martin announced Thursday morning that Zaruba has been hired as the Orioles' head coach.

'We feel like she will transition well into this role and keep us moving on the successful path we have seen recently,” Martin said in a statement.

Springville has advanced to the Class 1A state final each of the past three years, winning the championship in 2016 and 2017.

Nate Sanderson stepped down as head coach earlier this summer to take the job at Linn-Mar.

All five of the Orioles' starters return for next season, led by first-team all-staters Mikayla Nachazel and Rylee Menster.

Springville has posted a 74-7 record through the past three seasons, including 25-2 in 2016-17.

'We are excited to have Coach Zaruba as the next coach as we feel she brings a strong knowledge of the game and takes on this role by having established strong relationships with players and parents already,” Martin said.

Zaruba also has served as an assistant softball coach since 2010, as well as a junior high track and field coach and high school cheerleading coach.

She is the preschool teacher at Springville Elementary.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com