Glenvar High School didn’t have to look far to replace Jeremy Cromer as varsity baseball coach. It found one just across the county line, naming Salem High assistant Christiaan Sowers to lead the program on Tuesday afternoon.
Sowers brings both collegiate playing experience and a strong local coaching background to Glenvar’s Larry Wood Field. A former baseball player at Salem High School and Ferrum College, Sowers is a 2019 graduate of Ferrum College, where he earned a degree in Business Administration-Sports Management.
He has spent several years coaching baseball in the Roanoke Valley.
Most recently, Sowers has served as a varsity assistant baseball coach at Salem High School under head coach Jimmy Winterer, coaching with the Spartans in 2019 and again from 2022 to the present.
“Coach Sowers was a vital part of our success the last four seasons working with our hitters and infielders,” said Winterer. “He is a passionate coach that loves to compete. I know he will be dedicated to helping grow the Highlander program and continue their tradition of success. I’m very grateful for the time he gave our program and I look forward to competing against him this spring.”
Sowers began his coaching career with the Andrew Lewis Middle School Summer League, serving as an assistant coach in 2016 before taking over as head coach in 2017. He also has experience at Glenvar, where he served as a varsity assistant baseball coach for the Highlanders in 2018. Sowers began his coaching career with the Andrew Lewis Middle School Summer League, serving as an assistant coach in 2016 before taking over as head coach in 2017. He also has experience at Glenvar, where he served as a varsity assistant baseball coach for the Highlanders in 2018.
His coaching experience at the middle school and high school levels, along with his collegiate playing experience, has shaped his approach to player development and building successful baseball programs.
Sowers has also remained closely connected to athletics professionally. He currently works as a Field Sales Professional for BSN Sports in Salem and previously served as lead broadcaster for the Martinsville Mustangs during the 2022 season, adding another dimension to his extensive involvement in baseball.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Sowers back to Glenvar and have him lead our baseball program,” said Glenvar athletic director Andy Clapper. “His knowledge of the game, experience developing student-athletes, and familiarity with our school and community make him an excellent fit for this position. We look forward to seeing the direction he takes Highlander Baseball.”
Sowers will take over a Glenvar baseball program with a proud tradition and oversee all aspects of the program, emphasizing player development, fundamentals, accountability, teamwork and a strong program culture.
