Meet five student-athletes who are helping to ensure that the Central Florida sports scene remains red-hot this fall.

Blake McCullough, Bishop Moore football

A junior quarterback, McCullough earned the starting job last fall as a sophomore and proceeded to throw for 3,477 yards and 37 touchdowns while leading the Hornets to the 3A state semifinals. He has even loftier goals heading into the 2026 campaign.

OFM: Were you surprised at all by what you were able to accomplish in your first season as the starting QB, or did you expect to have that kind of success?

BM: That’s definitely something I expected out of myself. I got to learn a lot from the previous quarterback [Bjorn Jurgensen], who went to Virginia. I definitely had high expectations for myself and I wanted to build on what I had worked on in years prior.

OFM: What stands out as your favorite memory from last year?

BM: My favorite memory is probably beating Eau Gallie in the third-round [playoff] game to go to the state semifinals.

OFM: What are your goals for yourself and the team this season?

BM: I think for the team, the ultimate goal is to go further than we went last year. So we want to get over the hump and win in the state semifinals and ultimately win the state championship. Personally, I’m just trying to be safer with the ball, have less turnovers and increase my completion percentage.

OFM: Have you been working with your receivers over the summer to build chemistry?

BM: Yes, I have. We lost two starting receivers last year, so building chemistry with the new guys has definitely been important and has been a big part of our offseason. I think working with the new guys is going to help us to have an even bigger year than we had last year. 

OFM: Do you throw a different ball depending on the receiver?

BM: You have to make adjustments based on the guy’s size, speed and things of that nature. You just have to understand your guys and how the throw has to be adjusted based on their capabilities.

OFM: Have you always been a quarterback, even when you first started out playing football?

BM: Growing up I always played quarterback, but throughout Pop Warner I also played defense.

OFM: Do you miss playing defense?

BM: Yes and no. In high school, it’s a lot tougher job and there’s a higher risk of injury. Part of me wishes I could still do it, but I enjoy quarterback more and I’m happy to just play quarterback.

OFM: Why did you get put at QB as a kid? Did you always have a strong arm?

BM: I wouldn’t say it was my strong arm, necessarily. I think it was my leadership capabilities and my overall playmaking abilities as a young kid. They stuck me back there because I was able to throw and run.

OFM: I know you come from a football family. Is that why you got into the sport?

BM: That’s exactly why. My uncle is [former NFL tight end] Greg Olsen, so I wanted to follow in his footsteps and chase the dream of playing football professionally.

OFM: What kind of influence has he had on you? Do you talk about the game often?

BM: We definitely talk ball a lot. It’s more about the preparation and work that goes into the sport, and not necessarily the X’s and O’s, as people might expect. It’s a lot about the detail that is necessary to succeed in the sport.

OFM: He’s a great analyst for Fox too. But do you ever watch his games and disagree with his comments?

BM: No, usually not [laughs]. He’s a really smart guy and he doesn’t make too many mistakes.

OFM: Have you started thinking about college yet?

BM: I definitely started thinking about college but I’m not sure where I’m going. I think this season is going to be crucial for the recruiting process. I already have a couple of offers and hopefully I can get more after this season.

OFM: What are the qualities you’re looking for in a college?

BM: I’m looking for a great school with great academics, and somewhere with a good football program where I like the coaches and can develop as a player.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?

BM: Not exactly, but I’m thinking somewhere in the area of economics or finance.

OFM: Are there any particular quarterbacks you try to emulate?

BM: I look up to Joe Burrow and Josh Allen—those are my two favorite guys to watch. I like Joe Burrow’s calmness under pressure and Josh Allen’s playmaking ability, and I try to implement that into my game.

OFM: What else do you do for fun when you have a break from football?

BM: I golf a lot—that’s one of my favorite things to do with my buddies. I also like to play video games and to hang out with my boys.

OFM: Do you have a favorite course in the area?

BM: I played at Evermore Resort. They have a traditional and a links-style course, and I played the traditional. It’s beautiful.

OFM: What do you like about Bishop Moore?

BM: I think Bishop Moore is a great place to be. It’s obviously great academically and for sports. I’ve made a lot of great friends there who I think I will be in contact with for a long time. The school sets you up for success later in life, no matter what path you’re on. 

OFM: Have you always lived in Florida?

BM: I was born and raised in Orlando and it’s a great place. Florida is close to a lot of things: There’s great food and the theme parks are awesome. On the sports side of thing, I get to compete against some of the top athletes in the country. I think that’s definitely one of the benefits to growing up here.

OFM: What’s your favorite football movie?

BM: Ooh, that’s a tough one. I think Little Giants has to be my favorite football movie, and Friday Night Lights is another good one.

Delaney Sloane, Oviedo girls volleyball

A senior setter, Sloane collected 948 assists and 71 aces last year to help the Lions go 25-6 and win the third state championship in program history with a thrilling comeback over St. Thomas Aquinas. She was rewarded with Florida Dairy Farmers 6A Player of the Year honors.

OFM: Can you describe what it was like to win the state title, especially in that fashion, with an amazing comeback against a great team?

DS: Honestly, it was surreal. I would tell people months after that I still couldn’t believe it. I remember saying at the end of the second set, ‘Wow, we’re down 2-0.’ Being able to rally together and come back to win it with a reverse sweep made it truly unbelievable.

OFM: Was there a moment that turned things around?

DS: We kind of got together after the second set and talked. We said, ‘Whether we win this game or lose this game, either way we’re done. The seniors are never going to play again. This is our last chance for anything, so why don’t we just go out there and give it absolutely everything we have?’ The way we were talking, I never felt that we were going to lose. I was confident, the people around me were confident, and I think that helped me look at the positives. I never felt like anyone gave up.

OFM: What did it mean to you to be named Player of the Year?

DS: Obviously, it was such a huge compliment and I was honored that I was recognized. But I really do feel that I’m lucky. I get to play with people I love for an amazing coach and an amazing program. I’m literally surrounded by so much love and support within the program. I have love for the game and I think that love shows when I’m playing. If I didn’t love the sport and the people around me as much as I do, I don’t think I would have earned any of those accolades.

OFM: How do you follow up last season? Do you have confidence in the group that is coming back?

DS: I’m very confident. I believe we have nine or 10 returners, so we have a big chunk of people who have been there before, have been part of that kind of environment and know what a championship season looks like. We have some new pieces that I’m really excited to explore. … Everything seems to be clicking and flowing really easily, so I’m excited.

OFM: How long does it take to develop chemistry with your hitters?

DS: It takes a good amount of time for setters and hitters to develop a rhythm. I run a faster tempo than a lot of people, so it’s kind of hard to come in and connect right off the bat. But after a couple of weeks, I think we’ll be all set. We have a lot of weapons on our team, and if we can get the other team confused and out of sorts, we’ll have a lot of success.

OFM: How did you first get into volleyball?

DS: I started playing rec when I was 7, and I played my first season of club when I was 12. So I’ve been playing year round for about six years.  

OFM: What do you love about being the setter? It seems like the setter is the quarterback or the point guard of a volleyball team.

DS: That’s what I like about it. I’m kind of a control freak, and I really like feeling that I’m in control and that I’m making a difference. I also like being a support system, because the setter has to be level headed and someone that the other players can lean on.

OFM: Is it hard to believe that you’re a senior already? You were just doing a senior activity this morning, right?

DS: Yes, I was painting my parking spot [at school]. You can buy a parking spot and paint it, and then it’s your spot. I did a leopard-print design. But yes, being a senior is kind of insane—I still feel like I’m a little freshman walking into my first practice. It’s insane to me that I have 25 regular-season games, my postseason games, and then I’m done. It feels like time is running out and I’m just trying to extend it for as long as possible, because I don’t want it to end. This is a program and a team that I love so much, and I don’t want to leave it behind.

OFM: Do you know what you’re doing next year?

DS: I’m going to play in college, but I don’t know where yet.

OFM: What kind of qualities are you looking for in a college and volleyball program?

DS: I’m very competitive—it can be a little much sometimes—so I want to be with a team that has the same mindset as me. I never want to be on a team that is OK with good enough. I want to be pushed to get better, I want to push the people around me to get better, and I want a coach who pushes all of us. I don’t want to get to college and plateau. I want to always get better and increase my skills, whether it’s the physical aspect or the mental aspect.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?

DS: I want to be a lawyer—a prosecutor—so I want to go to a school that has a good program for that. Both of my parents are lawyers, and the arguments in my house are hard to win.

OFM: Does your competitive nature just show itself in volleyball, or does it spill over to everything?

DS: It really carries over to everything. If I lose a board game to you, I won’t speak to you all night. We were out on the lake trying to get up on the wakeboard, and when I couldn’t get up I would just sulk. I hate to lose and I hate to fail in general, and when somebody is better than me it just makes it 10 times worse.

OFM: What do you like about growing up in Florida?

DS: I love living in Florida and I would not have wanted to grow up anywhere else. I hate the cold, so being in such a warm place is obviously a plus. I love Oviedo—it’s a small town, so I’m able to know everyone, but it’s still big enough that there are new things to do. I just really like the area.

OFM: Do you like playing for coach Jen Darty?

DS: She’s the best coach I’ve ever had and one of the best coaches anybody has ever had. I truly believe that. 

OFM: Do you play beach volleyball at all?

DS: Yes. I love beach because it’s scrappy and gritty, but my heart is with indoor. 

OFM: What else do you do for fun?

DS: I do all kinds of things. I hang out with my friends, I go to the beach, I do stuff on the lake like wakesurfing.

Will Moss, Montverde boys cross-country

Moss is coming off a memorable 2025 season in which he became just the second runner in program history to capture a state title, as he won the 2A crown with a time of 15:35.30. Also a standout distance runner in track, he claimed the two-mile national championship last summer at the Adidas Outdoor Track Nationals.

OFM: Are you excited for your senior season after winning districts, regionals and states as a junior?

WM: Yes, sir, I’m really excited. I’ve been training very hard over the summer and trying to rebuild my fitness after track season. I want to go into cross-country strong.

OFM: Going back to last year’s state title—did you feel good heading into that race and were you confident you could achieve something special?

WM: I felt pretty confident. Going back to the beginning of the season, I wasn’t sure what was going to happen because I had a pretty bad respiratory infection right before the season. But coach [Dustin] Spanbauer had a vision for me and he said, ‘I’m going to make you a state champion this year.’ I only ran one race all season over 16 minutes—every other race was under 16 minutes pretty consistently, regardless of how hard the courses were. So my game plan for that day was to be tactical, sit with whoever wanted to stick with me, and then drop them with a mile to go, right where the hill is on the state course. I felt pretty strong and the game plan worked out well for me. I think the last quarter of the race, I was by myself.

OFM: Do you like the state course in Tallahassee?

WM: I do like that course. It’s one of the more scenic cross-country courses in Florida. I feel like a lot of courses go by parking lots or random fields because we don’t have a lot of hills. But once you go up to Tallahassee, you can see all the Spanish moss on the trees, the scenery, and it’s a really good environment. People are viewing you from all sides and the whole state is there, so it’s definitely a good place to run.

OFM: Were you aware of the history that only one other runner in the program had won a state title, and it was all the way back in 1992?

WM: Yes. I did a couple of deep dives in research a few years ago. I think Richard and Joe [Simolari] were twin brothers who were really good and they dominated 1A, which was the classification for Montverde back in the day. Montverde distance kind of went dark for a while after that, so I really wanted to get coach Spanbauer his first distance state title. He’s been coaching for a while, he’s coached many great athletes, and I’ve been with him for six years now. Nobody could pull it together and a win a cross-country state title, so I told him I was going to win it for him and bring it home for the town of Montverde.

OFM: Is it your goal to repeat as state champion, or are you more focused on your times and just trying to reach your peak by the time the postseason comes around?

WM: I definitely have those exact goals. This outdoor season in track, I ended up tearing my right glute, so I’ve had a two-month rehabilitation process. I’m big on coming back bigger, better and stronger than ever. I’ve been putting in a lot of work on the bike, in the gym—all those little things that I didn’t really miss out on before, but kind of slacked on. I’m trying to do everything right and I believe I can be just as good as last year, if not better, and extend my season even longer to the Brooks National Championships.

OFM: Did your injury happen during a meet or during training?

WM: It was during training. I think it was a combination of overuse and not enough prehab or catching things early. By the time my glute finally tore, it was too late [in the season]. I had to cut back and do what was safe for myself.

OFM: You had a big 2025 all around when you consider your national title last summer in North Carolina. Did you surprise yourself with that accomplishment?

WM: I did surprise myself. Going into the track state championships in 2025, I was pretty solid in the months of January, February and March, but once April rolled around we had some changes in training and I just wasn’t there mentally. I didn’t really perform how I wanted to that year, so I decided I was going to stay back on campus for four weeks before Adidas Nationals and work as hard as I could every single day. By the time I got there, I had no idea what kind of shape I was in. I was dead last halfway through the race, but I think the heat started to get to everyone, because we went out really fast. I had been training in the heat—and heat in North Carolina is obviously different than Florida heat—so I kind of just moved my way up, and with two laps to go I saw the leader. I thought, ‘I can actually win.’ I gave it one last kick and passed him in the last 50 meters.

OFM: Do you prefer cross-country or track?

WM: I really think they work well together. If I had a preference, it would be cross-country because I think it’s more efficient. You get there early in the morning, you do your race and you’re done. I feel like there’s more of a connection with other runners, because it’s early in the season and you’re not only trying to make yourself better, but also your teammates and even your competitors. I have a few rivals in the Central Florida area, but it’s more competition than rivals. We always warm up together, cool down together, and when it’s time to run we try to go as fast as we can.

OFM: How did you get into distance running in the first place?

WM: My brother [Tristan] was a cross-country runner and he was pretty good, but he was more of a lacrosse guy and he was just trying to help the team out. He’s really tough and he’s a big inspiration of mine. When I was in sixth grade, my brother finally made it to the state championships for 2A, the same classification at the school he was at. I think I was 12 years old and I told myself, ‘I’m going to come back here and win this race someday.’ I just loved seeing everything about cross-country, especially the state championships, where you could push yourself and push everybody else around you. That’s what started it for me, so in sixth grade I began doing it with the local track club in Boca Raton, where I’m from. At 14 I moved to Montverde as a boarding student and started working with coach Spanbauer and coach [Michelle] Howell. I’ve been with them ever since.

OFM: Was it hard to leave your hometown?

WM: Yes. It wasn’t really easy for me—I missed my family, my friends, my dogs, everything. But it taught me that home is where you make it, and when you’re lucky enough to have a place called home that you miss so much, it’s really a privilege to go back there and have a loving family that supports you. I shifted my mindset, and now when I go back home it’s even better.

OFM: What do you like about going to school at Montverde?

WM: I really like the staff members and the coaches. Coach Spanbauer, coach Howell, coach [Jean-Carlos] Arroyo, coach [Keston] Bledman—they’ve always had my back and done extra work behind the scenes to make sure the team in general and myself are OK. The staff members in Montverde are phenomenal. It’s kind of like a family—it doesn’t feel like an institution. You live there, the staff is like your family and they always check in on you, and I really feel like I can go to anyone there for anything.

OFM: Have you gotten to meet fellow students from all over the country and even all over the world at Montverde?

WM: For sure. One of my best friends—my roommate of three years, actually—his name is Miles Outerbridge and he just graduated. He’s from Bermuda, and before meeting him I had no idea where Bermuda was. The only thing I knew was the Bermuda Triangle. A friendship like that is one you’ll never forget.

OFM: Have you gotten to visit some pretty cool places through running?

WM: Yes, I have. I went to North Carolina for Adidas, I went to Virginia Beach for the VA Showcase, and I went to Franklin Field in Philadelphia. That was the coolest by far because it’s such a historic stadium. I’ve also been to colleges like UF and FSU, which have very, very nice facilities. Even though they’re local, it’s still a privilege to be able to compete there.

OFM: Do you know what you’re doing next year?

WM: I’m looking at a few schools right now: the University of Miami, Cornell University, Brown University and New York University. I’ve taken some visits over the summer and met with the coaches, and they’re all great programs. I’m going to take some official visits in the fall and hopefully make my decision early if all goes well.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?

WM: I want to do either communications, business or something along the sports medicine track. As a runner I’ve had a fair amount of injuries, and if I can take what I’ve learned and help other people not be in pain, that’s something I would really like to do. But I’m still deciding.

OFM: Obviously, you also want to keep running as long as you can. But the great thing about your sport is that you can continue doing it even after you’re done competing, whether for exercise or relaxation—if you can call it relaxing.

WM: It is therapeutic, honestly. When you’re not ripping workouts on the track and you’re just getting a nice 8-, 10- or 14-mile run in along the scenery of Florida, or anywhere, it can be super relaxing.

OFM: Is photography still a hobby of yours?

WM: Yes. Me and my brother have a freelance media company called Moss Media Productions where we shoot all types of events.

OFM: Did your brother get you interested in photography just like he did with running?

WM: [Laughs] He did get me into it. He’s my hero—he’s five years older than me, so whenever I saw him with a camera taking pictures and making video edits, I wanted to be just like him. So I started doing it and really enjoyed it myself. 

Reed Ramsier, The First Academy football

A 6-foot-5, 300-pound senior offensive lineman, Ramsier was one of the top recruits in the country for his position and made Auburn his college choice over Texas and several other premier programs. He is looking to lead TFA back to the playoffs after a two-year absence.

OFM: How are you feeling heading into your senior season?

RR: I’m pretty excited. I think our team will be really good this year. We’ve had a really good offseason and made a lot of good improvement, so it will be a good season.

OFM: Your team is eligible for the playoffs again, so that must be exciting.

RR: That is a major factor, for sure. Being able to compete for a state title is an even bigger motivator. Obviously, you want to win games, but trying to win a state championship is an awesome opportunity. 

OFM: Are you taking on more of a leadership role as a senior?

RR: For sure. I’ve been at TFA for three and a half years now, and being under some of the best leaders I’ve ever had in my life as a sophomore and junior, I’ve learned to take the role and take it very seriously. A lot of the guys who mentored me have shaped who I am today, so trying to lead some of the younger guys now is a big part of why I play the game. It’s definitely something I think about every day.

OFM: Is your leadership style to yell and get in someone’s face, or to take them aside quietly away from the team—or does it just depend on the person?

RR: It definitely depends on who the person is. When I first started leading, it was by example. You have to earn your leadership and your right to speak up. I just did my job for a while and I was on the quiet side, just showing how to do things and how to uphold the standard. Over time, in the spring, during summer workouts and now in the fall, I’ve tried to be more vocal. Playing center now, it’s a vocal position as it is because you’re communicating with the whole offensive line and the offense. Off the field, in group chats and on phone calls with my teammates, I’ve tried to demonstrate how to lead and do things at a high standard. The guys I played with two or three years ago who led me had a standard, and I’m trying to uphold that standard.

OFM: Have you ever played center before?

RR: I’ve snapped a bunch of times before but I played guard and tackle last year. This spring was the first game I ever played at center. I love it. It’s like the quarterback of the offense if you’re not the quarterback. You get to communicate with the whole offensive line, the running backs and the quarterback, and you get to touch the ball every play. It’s a fun position and I’m loving it.

OFM: Do you project as a center in college now?

RR: Auburn sees me as an interior lineman, so center or guard. I can also play tackle in a pinch if they need me. I have long enough arms and they say my feet are good enough if I have to play tackle. But mainly I’m going to play guard or center.

OFM: What made Auburn the right choice for you?

RR: Auburn had offered me as a rising junior in the spring, after Alabama had offered me. That was the old [coaching] staff. I had a lot of family and friends who went to Auburn, but I never thought much of it. Then the new staff arrived—coach [Alex] Golesh and his staff from USF— and USF was my second offer, so I had a good relationship with that staff since my freshman year. They re-offered me and we got in contact again and started building a relationship again. I went there for a visit in January and I loved it. The campus is beautiful and the facilities are nice. But what made my top school and the one I committed to is my relationships with the coaches and the players. I trust in all the coaches that they’ll get Auburn back to where they once were, winning national championships. I also trust in them to develop me as a player and as a young man. I had opportunities to go to Texas and other SEC schools, but I wanted to be part of something special and I didn’t just want to be a spoke in the wheel. I’m so excited to go there and I’m really motivated to be an Auburn Tiger.

OFM: You’re especially close with offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick, right?

RR: Yes, I’m really close with him. He played at USF, and growing up we used to go to a lot of USF games when they were pretty good. I saw them play Auburn in the Peach Bowl and Hoodie played in that game at guard. He’s a younger offensive line coach—this is his second big-time job—and their whole offensive line staff is amazing. … It’s a place I can develop in the right direction.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?

RR: I want to study business and I’m leaning toward business management. They have a pretty good business school and a really good network.

OFM: Obviously, you’re going to put a lot of work into your academics, but is it your ultimate goal to play in the NFL?

RR: Yes, my goal is to play on Sundays. That’s another reason I chose Auburn, because they have all the resources and coaches necessary to play in the best conference in college football. My goal is to get my degree and go play in the league.

OFM: How did you first get into football?

RR: I started when I was about 8 years old. I played mostly baseball and football growing up. I played some tackle and D-end in Pop Warner and I liked it, but I didn’t love it. Then when I hit a growth spurt, I realized I might be good at this thing. I had a coach my freshman year in my corner who really supported me, motivated me and taught me how to work. From there, I took the sport very seriously and I was blessed to transfer to TFA, where they turned me into the best player I could possibly be.

OFM: Offensive line is such a crucial position, but the quarterback, running backs and wide receivers get most of the glory. Does that ever bother you?

RR: You get used to it. In recruiting, a lot of the coaches would show me love and treat me like a finished product, when in reality I was looking for a coach who would shoot me straight, be honest and tell me what to work on. The offensive line doesn’t get a lot of praise­—most of the time you just hear people hating when you don’t do something right. I like the position because you get to be a big part of an offense, and without an offensive line the offense is useless. The ability to be mean and physical, to run the ball down people’s throats and score touchdowns, there’s nothing like it in football.

OFM: Are there certain lineman you try to model yourself after?

RR: For sure. When I played tackle two years ago, I would really look at Will Campbell, who was at LSU at the time and is now with the Patriots. I thought he had really good hands and feet, and we’re a similar size. He’s super aggressive and I like him a lot. For guard, I like Tate Ratledge from the Lions, who played at Georgia and won a couple of national championships. He kind of reminds me of myself, so I take a lot of things he does and put them in my game. For center, Jason Kelce is a pretty popular one, and I really like … Tyler Linderbaum from the Raiders. He’s super mean and super aggressive. Trent Williams, Lane Johnson and Tristan Wirfs from the Buccaneers are really good players too.

OFM: Florida is such a great state for football. Do you take pride in being part of that talent pipeline?

RR: When I visited a lot of these schools, you could tell that the locker rooms were made up mainly of Florida players, Texas players, California players and Georgia players. Obviously, you’re playing for your team, but you do remember where you grew up and where your home is, and where you played football in Pop Warner, middle school and high school. There’s no doubt in my mind that Florida is the football state when it comes to putting guys in the NFL who last a long time and become Pro Bowlers and Hall-of-Famers. There’s a reason they go to the NFL—because high school is so competitive down here, especially in Miami. Part of it might be the weather or the way people grow up, like Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp. It’s definitely the best state for football, in my opinion.

OFM: What else do you like about growing up in Florida?

RR: I fish a lot and golf a lot and the weather is good for that, especially in the winter when it’s perfect. Growing up, I went to Disney, Universal and SeaWorld a lot, and we also have the beach. There’s so much to do that you can take your mind off football if you have to.

OFM: Do you have a favorite local golf course?

RR: I play Orange County National a lot over in Horizon West. It’s a super good price and good conditions.

Chase Bauer, Windermere Prep boys golf

Last year was a remarkable one for Bauer, who reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Junior Amateur, was named the Florida State Golf Association Junior Tour Player of the Year, and went on to earn a district title and tie for fourth at 1A states during his high school season. He enters his junior season with high hopes.

OFM: You just got back from competing at the Junior PGA Championship in Texas, where you tied for 21st place. How was the experience?

CB: It was a great experience. I had the game and everything to go low out there and make a run for it, but I didn’t put it all together.

OFM: You had one outstanding round, though.

CB: Yep, I shot 64 in round two and that was great. That was the second-lowest round of the tournament.

OFM: When you have a day like that, is it more about how you’re feeling physically or how you’re approaching things mentally?

CB: Well, I went into that round knowing that course is set up a little bit easier than the other ones. I was thinking, ‘I need to make a push here to make the cut, so let’s go make some birdies.’ Once I started rolling and got to 4- or 5-under, I just kept pushing and I didn’t even think about [my score]. I pretended like I was at even-par and tried to make some more birdies.

OFM: When a tournament like that doesn’t end up as you hoped, do you still get a lot out of playing against the best players in the country for your age group?

CB: Yes. I feel like I learned a lot. There were a bunch of shots I wish I could go back and re-hit, and those are the tournaments you learn the most from. When you play your best there’s not much you can learn from, other than dealing with the pressure. 

OFM: What other experiences stand out from this summer?

CB: My biggest overall improvement this summer came from going four three-day tournaments in a row where the second round was really bad, but round one and round three were really good. At the Wyndham Invitational, I was finally able to break it. I went in with a new mindset that I was always at the back of the pack and had to make a push up the leaderboard.

OFM: Last summer was obviously a big one for you, particularly with your performance in the U.S. Junior Amateur. Did you see that coming?

CB: I feel like the reason why I had such a good summer last year is because I switched golf courses. At the original course I was playing at, there was no junior competition and not much pro competition. I switched to a club with a bunch of competition and I started playing with better guys who are going D-I to really good schools. I think I saw [my performance] coming—I just needed to have a breakthrough tournament. At the U.S. Junior, my goal was just to make match play, and beating the guys that I beat was probably my biggest achievement of that summer. I learned that you have to go into every tournament with expectations.

OFM: Do you still look forward to high school season, even with all the golf you play in big tournaments throughout the year?

CB: I’m super excited, especially this year because we have two superstars joining our team: Kaden Puranik, who is going to FSU, and Jose Carlos Lopez-Lay. They’re both leaving the Leadbetter Academy and I’m really excited to play with them. I also have a bunch of buddies on our team that I hang out with at school. We have a tough division with a lot of competition, and I treat it just like any other tournament.

OFM: Do you have any specific goals for yourself or the team?

CB: I feel like we have a team that can win states this year. In the big picture, my goal is to win states [individually] and for the team to win states as well. We’re shooting for the stars this year.

OFM: How did you get into golf in the first place?

CB: I started back when I was 5 years old. My dad ran the company golf league for Marriott and he would take me out and play. I’d just go and whack balls on the range. My dad saw that I had a pretty natural swing. I started out playing baseball before golf, and it correlated a little bit. Everyone told me that my baseball swing would ruin my golf swing, and vice versa, but I actually learned a lot transitioning from a baseball swing to a golf swing.

OFM: Do you still play often with your dad?

CB: My dad quit playing, kind of as a reaction to me being really good at golf. It’s almost a waste of my time for him to come out and play with me, because he’s not very good. But he’s starting to play again.

OFM: Do you just focus on golf now?

CB: Yes. I stopped with my other sports in middle school. It was really tough for my dad, because he originally wanted me to be a baseball player. But when I got to high school he really started to realize that golf is my thing, so there are no regrets now.

OFM: What is your favorite local course?

CB: I play at Orange Tree Golf Club and it’s my favorite course within the Windermere/Dr. Phillips area. I feel like I’ve played it enough to learn the course.

OFM: What course from anywhere in the world is first on your bucket list?

CB: Ooh, let me think. Obviously, Augusta would be one of them, but I feel like everybody would want to play Augusta, so I want to think of another one. I would probably say Spyglass [at Pebble Beach]. I went out to the Pebble Beach Pro-Am about three or four years ago. I didn’t get to see Spyglass, but I got to play Spanish Bay.

OFM: Have you started thinking about college yet?

CB: Yes, I have. I want to go to a school that has the best competition, the best coaches, a high-quality practice facility, and ultimately the biggest thing for me is finding a school that gives me the best chance to get to the PGA Tour.

OFM: Some of the biggest names in golf once played in tournaments you’ve played in, like the U.S. Junior Amateur and the Junior PGA Championship. Has it hit you that you’re in that company?

CB: Yes. The U.S. Junior Am is probably the biggest event in all of junior golf, in my opinion. Seeing all the guys who have won that tournament, or even just played in it, and gone on to play on the PGA Tour is amazing. It’s in the back of my head when I’m playing those events that I’m up there with the best, but I also treat it like any other event.

OFM: Have you interacted with Charlie Woods, Tiger’s son, at any of these tournaments?

CB: I just played a practice round with him at the Junior PGA. I like Charlie. I feel like people on social media like to highlight some of the bad things he’s done, but that’s not a fair representation of him. He has a camera on him all the time, and 98% of the other players have similar reactions to Charlie. It gets overemphasized with him, but he’s a really nice kid.

OFM: Do you have any favorite players?

CB: I look up to Collin Morikawa. He’s my favorite player of all time and you want to embrace how Collin plays. He’s a phenomenal ball striker and his mental game [is strong] as well—you rarely see him get upset. I’ve never spoken to him, but from what I’ve seen he’s a great guy to be around.

OFM: What else do you do for fun when you have a break from golf?

CB: I’m really big into cars, so I love watching Formula 1 and I love going go-karting with my friends. Aside from that, I just love spending time with my family and friends. 

OFM: What do you like about going to school at Windermere Prep?

CB: I’d say the best part about my school is their flexibility. There’s so much I’m able to do because I go to Windermere Prep. I can go to a tournament, miss a couple of days, and still have time to turn in my assignments. They’re helping me to become the best version of myself and to fulfill my passions. I’ve got friends there from Brazil, from many different countries in Asia, and a couple from Germany too. The inclusivity of kids from all over the world is awesome.

Haley Higgins, Foundation Academy girls volleyball

A senior outside hitter, Higgins led Foundation with 494 kills and 46 blocks last year to go with 37 aces and 293 digs as the Lions posted a 21-6 record. She enters her senior campaign with 980 career kills and is poised for a big final season before moving on to Georgetown.

OFM: Are you excited for your senior season?

HH: I’m so excited. Our team is super young this year—we have a lot of freshmen—so I want to make sure I can help them grow and get better. Hopefully, we can get better as a team and make it to districts.

OFM: Do you think the chemistry is starting to build?

HH: Yes. We’ve had two weeks of practice and it’s getting better. That’s the main thing we’re working on, trying to build court chemistry with a whole new team. We lost seven seniors from last year, so it’s a big change.

OFM: Aside from volleyball, what is it like to be a senior? Is it hard to believe this is your last year at Foundation?

HH: Yes. I’m excited but also nervous to leave all of my friends, because I’m going out of state for college. It’s kind of sad since I’ve been [at Foundation] for 10 years.

OFM: What do you love about the school?

HH: Everyone is super welcoming. All of the teachers care about you and want you to [do well]. I’ve been there for so long that it feels like home.

OFM: How did you get interested in volleyball?

HH: My mom actually played, so she would always pepper with me outside. Then I started playing for a small club team and I just fell in love with it.

OFM: Do you play any other sports?

HH: I played basketball and soccer when I was younger, but freshmen year I just focused on volleyball because I loved it more.

OFM: Do you play beach volleyball at all?

HH: Oh yeah, I play beach all the time. It’s not as competitive because it’s outside and you can play anywhere. You can set up a grass court or play on the beach with your friends. It’s more fun than competitive.

OFM: What made you commit to Georgetown?

HH: I love all the coaches and the team. When I toured the school, right away I could just tell that I wanted to go there.

OFM: Do you know what you’re going to study?

HH: Right now, I think I’m going to do business management, but that can always change.

OFM: Are you excited to live in Washington, D.C.?

HH: I’m excited for it to snow, actually. I’ve never seen real snow.

OFM: Have you lived in Florida your whole life?

HH: Yes. I love that we’re close to the beach, because that’s what me and my friends do on the weekends. New Smyrna [is my favorite], for sure.

OFM: What else do you do for fun?

HH: Me and my friends go to the gym every day, and I love playing pickleball too. That’s been my new favorite sport at night.

OFM: Do you have a favorite teacher at Foundation?

HH: I would say Miss [Betty] Marvin. She was my teacher in middle school, but I see her in the hallway all the time and she’s always super excited to see me.

FOOTBALL

Frederick Ards, Jones: A senior edge, Ards racked up 11 sacks and 13 tackles for loss last year and is the leader of an outstanding defensive line for the Tigers. Ranked as the No. 64 prospect in his class by ESPN, he will continue his career at Texas A&M.

Duke Carpenter, Geneva: A three-sport star who was a state track and field champion in the discus this past spring, Carpenter will focus on football at Stanford. The senior defensive end led Geneva in tackles and sacks as a junior.

AJ Chung, West Orange: Chung, a junior quarterback, is coming off a breakout sophomore season in which he threw for 2,936 yards and 41 touchdowns to help the Warriors go 10-2.

Will Jackson, Evans: Jackson, a senior quarterback, threw 24 touchdown passes last year at a high school in Georgia before transferring to Evans in the spring. A Maryland commit, he was named MVP at this summer’s 14th annual Orlando QB Shootout.

Demetre Pryor, Evans: This junior safety is an absolute ball hawk, as evidenced by the seven interceptions he’s recorded in each of his first two seasons.

Chris Sanon, Evans: A junior who is transitioning from defensive end to linebacker this year, Sanon collected 45 tackles, 22 sacks and 28 tackles for loss during a sensational sophomore season.

Sincere Wilkerson, Edgewater: A big, physical blocker who can play multiple positions on the offensive line, Wilkerson is committed to Coastal Carolina.

Charles Woodson Jr., Lake Nona: The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Charles Woodson, this senior safety has made a name for himself and will follow in his dad’s footsteps at Michigan.

BOYS SWIMMING

Denzo Senekal, Winter Park: Senekal, a junior, was a key piece of Winter Park’s state champion 200 medley relay last year, as well as the 400 free relay, which took fourth at states. Individually, he placed sixth in both the 200 and 500 free.

GIRLS SWIMMING

Aidyn Reese, Windermere: Reese, a senior, helped Windermere’s 200 medley relay claim the 4A state title last year and the 200 free relay place third. The Florida State commit also took third in the breaststroke and fourth in the 100 free.

Lylah Rigby, Lake Highland Prep: A student at Lake Highland Prep since seventh grade, Rigby has enjoyed a standout swimming career for the Highlanders. Last year she second in the 500 free and fifth in the 200 free at the 1A state meet and was part of the 400 free relay that placed seventh. She will continue her career at the Division I level at Florida Atlantic.

BOYS GOLF

Christian Koehn, Lake Highland Prep: Koehn, a junior who has already committed to Stanford, tied for 11th at last fall’s 1A state tournament. He recently competed in the Junior PGA Championship.

Jack Mokris, Bishop Moore: The Hornets are coming off a record-breaking season in which they won the program’s first state title. Mokris was a huge part of that success, as he placed second individually at states to go with a district title.

GIRLS GOLF

Phah Smitasin, Winter Park: After placing second at districts and third at regionals last year, Smitasin was the runner-up at 3A states to help the Wildcats take fourth as a team.

Ava Zhang, Windermere Prep: This stellar junior placed third at regionals and tied for second after reaching a playoff at the 1A state tournament last fall. She has enjoyed a remarkable summer as well, recently finishing third at the Junior PGA Championship.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Jalyn Burke, West Orange: Burke, a junior outside hitter who led the Warriors in kills as a sophomore, is committed to UCF.

Isabel Incinelli, Orangewood Christian: A senior transfer, Incinelli led Winter Park to a state title last year and finished with 384 kills, 207 digs, 45 aces and 43 blocks. She will continue her career at Texas A&M.

BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY

Levi Mollica, Oviedo: Mollica placed third at regionals last year with a time of 15:06.12 and went on to place 11th at the 4A state meet.

GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY

Rachel Judy, The Master’s Academy: Judy, a senior, crossed the finish line first at five invitational races last year and took fifth at 1A states.

Annabella Tomasic, Bishop Moore: Tomasic also owns two state titles in cross-country and she is still only a sophomore. She seized the 3A crown last year to go with district and region championships.