Every new soccer season, the boy’s staff nominates a new and improved junior captain. This player is known for having exceptional levels of leadership for their age, said to be “mature for their age” (as coach Stenger likes to say). From the long list of people in the program’s history that have donned the title of being a junior captain at North Atlanta, every single one has been cemented within Dubs folklore. Now, Junior phenom Grant Benner is the new addition to such a historic list, ready for the newfound opportunities driving the boys to an eventual state championship.
Benner has been raved about by various teammates and coaches across the program. Known to be a stellar athlete with an incredible work ethic that makes the boys around him even better, he is also a weapon within the classroom. Being in the IBDP program this year has made him a more improved and well-rounded student, with him saying the program has made him a lot more organized and focused on his academic career. However, the workload and emphasis on global, generalized topics have been a shock for him, forcing Benner to step out of his comfort zone. Throughout this all, though, his teachers continue to rave about how he has been able to adapt so easily. Just like on the field, Grant has been said to have immense diligence within all of his classes, especially in his coach John Stenger’s class where he has excelled over the past couple of years. “Grant has been a star student for me the past couple of years. It amazes me how he is such a commander of the field and the classroom,” said Stenger.
Alongside his major excitement for his upcoming Junior soccer campaign, his new and improved role for the 2025 season as a Junior captain is something that Benner is beyond stoked about. His hard work and dedication, as aforementioned, finally paid off, but not only on the soccer field. In fact, Benner learned such leadership skills from his parents, with his mom being one of his most noteworthy inspirations throughout his life. As a teacher, she not only taught him how to value the educational opportunities that he is often presented with but also how to be such a commanding person on the pitch and in various sections of his life. “I cannot be more grateful for how much my mom has taught me. She’s been tough on me and it’s paid off so well,” said Benner.
The new season for Benner and the Dubs is an exciting one, with a semi-finals appearance in the 6A state playoffs last year looking to be improved on. Benner looks to head the changing of the guard of leadership and firepower for the Warriors, with him hoping to exceed his own high expectations for himself. The coaches and further North Atlanta fanbase expect a lot from him as well, and it is more than believed that he will consistently deliver every day until the end.
