Winning Mentality
These seven student-athletes from Central Florida are looking forward to both individual and team success during the fall sports season.
Rylee Erisman, Windermere Girls Swimming
One of the premier swimmers in the country in her age group, Erisman nearly qualified for the U.S. Olympic team in the summer of 2024 before even beginning her sophomore year. She went on to set Florida records in winning state titles in the 50 and 100 free during last high school season and continued to shine during high-profile meets this summer, booking a spot on Team USA for the World Junior Championships in Romania.
OFM: It sounds like you had a busy summer.
RE: Yes. I was just in Ocala for Futures and I was super happy with how it went. I was right on all of my best times, I wasn’t rusty at all, and I think I’m in a good spot right now.
OFM: How intense was your training during the summer and what other meets did you compete in?
RE: We have eight to 10 practices a week during the summer, so sometimes we have doubles and swim in the morning and the afternoon. I recently did U.S. Nationals and I qualified for World Juniors in Romania in August. That’s what I’ve been up to.
OFM: Where was the national meet held?
RE: They were in Indianapolis, so the same town as the [Olympic] Trials last year, but not the same facility. It was still a really nice pool and I love the city.
OFM: What did that whole experience at the Olympic Trials mean to you last year? Was it heartbreaking to come so close to making the Olympic team, or a confidence booster to know you’re right with the best swimmers at a young age?
RE: It definitely wasn’t disappointing at all. That was my first real big meet like that, so I didn’t have any expectations for myself. I didn’t even think I would make a final and place as high as I did. So coming out of that was super exciting and I’m motivated for the future knowing that I’m in a good spot at a young age.
OFM: Did it prove to you that you’re at that level and that the Olympics is a realistic goal?
RE: Yeah, it definitely gave me a lot of confidence knowing that I can race against people who have a lot more experience than me. I can compete at the same level and I shouldn’t be scared going against them.
OFM: Did you feel starstruck around anyone there?
RE: [Laughs] There were a bunch of people. But swimming is a super tight community and everyone is close to each other. A lot of Olympians came up to me and said some kind words, and that blew my mind. I was like, ‘Oh my God, these people are talking to me.’ That was super cool.
OFM: Are there any particular swimmers you look up to or admire?
RE: If I had to pick one or two right now, I would say Regan Smith and Gretchen Walsh. Their stories and how they got to where they are today are inspiring. I think they’re really good people to look up to. They’re still in the sport today and they’re still doing really well, and being able to look up to them is awesome.
OFM: Has your older brother Ryan been a big influence as well?
RE: Yes. He’s a super big influence and he’s the one who got me into the sport. At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to try swimming, but then I saw him doing it and I decided to do it. Being able to have him as a role model is great. We can go through things together and experience it with each other.
OFM: I’m sure it’s going to be weird not having him in the house this year since he’s going to college at Cal.
RE: I’m an only child now. [Laughs] But I’m staying busy, so it will go by fast.
OFM: Are your parents athletes too?
RE: My dad played tennis in high school and college and my mom was a runner. How we got into swimming is that we grew up in Daytona Beach so we were always in the water. I learned how to swim at a very young age and we were always playing in the ocean. One day my mom said we should try swimming. We ended up loving it, so we stuck with it and it got us here today.
OFM: Is it exciting to visit countries like Romania through the sport?
RE: Yes, it’s very exciting. It’s a great group of people and I’m close friends with a lot of them, and it’s exciting to represent Team USA again. I went to Australia last year for the Junior [Pan Pacific Championships] and that was great. My brother just got back from Germany, so we go everywhere.
OFM: Do you still like competing in high school swimming too?
RE: I love high school season. It keeps it fun because you get to be with all of your best friends while doing the sport you love. It’s definitely different coming back from that level, but I enjoy it and it mixes it up.
OFM: Do you have any particular goals for the high school season?
RE: I would like to repeat what I did last year. I broke some records, so to break my own records would be cool. We want the team to do well again, and overall we just want to have fun. I think the team does best when we’re having fun and when we have a connection with each other. I think we have a good team and I think we’ll do well.
OFM: Are the 50 and 100 free your favorite races?
RE: Yeah. It changes a lot, if I’m being honest, but I’ve always loved the shorter races. The 540 was my favorite last year, and now it’s kind of transitioned to the 100 and 200 free.
OFM: What else do you do for fun when you get a break?
RE: I just like hanging out with my friends and my teammates. We love going out on the lake or going to the beach, or going to get food and just chilling at home.
OFM: How long has your family been in Orlando?
RE: It’s coming up on eight years. I really enjoy it and I’m glad that we made the decision to move here.
OFM: Is the recruiting process starting to intensify?
RE: Yes. I don’t know how it is in other sports, but in swimming they can start reaching out to you on June 15 of your junior year, so I started that this summer. It’s going well and I’m enjoying it so far. For some people it can be stressful, but right now it’s going well for me. I’m looking for a great connection with the coaches and the team, because I have that here. Obviously, I want a great school overall with great academics.
OFM: Do you know what you want to study?
RE: Something along the lines of business, or maybe something with communications and sports. I’m not exactly sure yet—I’m kind of all over the place.
OFM: I’m sure L.A. is on your mind for the 2028 Olympics. How cool would it be for both you and Ryan to qualify?
RE: I think it would be super cool. It’s so rare that you get a home Olympics, and if me and Ryan can both go, it would be a dream come true. It’s definitely something we have our eyes on, but at the same time we’re taking it one step at a time and enjoying it.
Noah Grubbs, Lake Mary Football
A four-year starter at quarterback, Grubbs threw for 3,024 yards and 37 touchdowns as a junior and enters his senior campaign with 8,287 yards and 103 TDs through the air for his stellar career. He aspires to lead Lake Mary to a state championship before moving on to Notre Dame.
OFM: Obviously, you and the team are coming off a great season that ended in the state championship game. Do you feel that big things are coming this fall as well?
NG: Yeah, for sure. It’s really about just building chemistry and bonding together, becoming one unit with all of the new transfers we have. I believe the ultimate goal is definitely within reach.
OFM: How is that transition going with more than 20 new players in the program?
NG: It’s definitely been going good. Me and the wide receiver, Barrett [Schulz]—a transfer from University—we’ve been connecting really well recently. All of the other transfers on offense and defense are building connections through football and outside of football. It’s going really well.
OFM: Are you using last year’s loss in the state final as motivation, or are you trying to block that out of your head?
NG: I would say motivation. We want to make it back there and have a different result this year. I want to be the first ever to do it in Lake Mary history. Everybody only remembers the second-place team for a few months, but if you win first place then you’re engraved in the stadium and all of that stuff. I want to be known in the history of Lake Mary and be the first to do it.
OFM: That is the missing piece, but it’s already been a great career for you. Did you envision all of this coming into high school?
NG: Not necessarily. God had a path for me and I just followed it and used the abilities that he gave me. I had some natural talent and put forth a bunch of effort to better my craft and my team and to do whatever I could to help the team. Being the best version of me does that, so I just follow God’s path and that will lead us where we want to be.
OFM: Tell me about your decision to attend Notre Dame. It kind of speaks for itself, but why did you want to play there?
NG: I would say the tradition, the culture and the people around the building. It’s all about the people there. There are no sororities, no fraternities and there are no distractions. You’re there to get your education and to go to the league. They compete with the Ivy League for education and they compete with SEC teams for national championships, and there’s no other school that really has the best of both worlds like that. I can’t wait to get up there and compete.
OFM: Did you grow up a fan of Notre Dame?
NG: Not necessarily. I was more of a fan of Alabama, to be honest. My brother went to Alabama so that’s who I grew up watching most of the time.
OFM: Have you seen the movie Rudy?
NG: I have not. My dad always gets on me about that.
OFM: Do you know what you want to study?
NG: I do not. I still have some time to think about it and I want to make sure that when I make the decision, it’s what I completely want to do and I’m not wasting time. I know a bunch of people change their decision all the time, and I don’t want to waste time.
OFM: Is the NFL your ultimate goal?
NG: Yes, sir, of course. I played baseball as well growing up, but [professional] football has always been my dream.
OFM: What else do you do for fun?
NG: I golf a lot, play board games and play pool. I would say those are my three biggest [hobbies].
OFM: What do you like about growing up in Florida?
NG: We’re around everything in Central Florida. There’s Disney, there’s all these parks, and I like the weather here. … There are top-tier athletes and great competition, so I like everything about it.
OFM: Do you have quarterbacks you like to watch or try to emulate?
NG: I like Josh Allen and Joe Burrow. They’re pocket-style quarterbacks and they can run when they need to and pick up a first down with their feet. But their style is mostly to stay in the pocket and destroy the defense downfield.
Olivia Heekin, Bishop Moore Girls Volleyball
A senior libero, Heekin helped the Hornets compile a 24-7 record and win the 4A state championship last season. She collected a team-high 572 digs to go with 28 aces, 71 assists and 464 save receptions.
OFM: Last year was such a special one for you and the team. Does the state championship stand out as your best memory?
OH: I think afterwards was the most special to me, because we came back to school and had a huge celebration. Everybody was talking about it and congratulating me and everybody else.
OFM: The final against Mater Lakes was a hard-fought 3-2 win that could have gone either way. Is that the kind of game you like to be involved in, or was it nerve-wracking?
OH: For me it was very nerve-wracking, but at the same time my adrenaline kept me going to push harder. It was something the whole team really wanted, so I think the pressure pushed us even harder to win.
OFM: What was it like transferring to Bishop Moore last year? Was it an easy transition?
OH: Everyone on the team was super welcoming. I knew a few people already, but it wasn’t hard getting to know people. They were all nice and coach Tanya [Jarvis Starrett] was amazing too.
OFM: What do you like about going to school at Bishop Moore?
OH: I feel like Bishop Moore is more of a family and a welcoming community.
OFM: What is the outlook for this year’s team?
OH: We have some new additions coming in that look pretty good, so hopefully we can put together a good team. We have two setters coming back who are both seniors, and me and another DS [defensive specialist] who are seniors.
OFM: Has it hit you yet that this is your senior year?
OH: I don’t like to think about it. [Laughs]
OFM: Do you know what you’re doing next year?
OH: I’m looking to get recruited for beach volleyball. I plan to go to a larger university to pursue a business degree.
OFM: Do you prefer beach volleyball?
OH: I do. I feel like beach is more of an independent thing—you’re working with just you and one other person, so you have to handle the whole court.
OFM: Did you play a lot of beach volleyball this summer?
OH: Yes. I practice almost every day, I did two tournaments and I did FSU beach camp.
OFM: How did you first get into volleyball?
OH: I first started when my sister played volleyball. I was probably 9 years old. I just started at Top Select and I played mini club for a couple of years, and then I got into real club.
OFM: Were you a libero right away?
OH: I’ve always been a libero. I don’t think I’ve ever played any other position. Even in mini club, I was always a libero. It gives me control over the court.
OFM: What are some of your other hobbies?
OH: When I’m not playing indoor volleyball for Bishop Moore, I’m playing beach. I go to the beach a lot and I enjoy spending time with my friends. I also love traveling and that’s a big thing in my life.
OFM: Any favorite destinations?
OH: North Carolina is definitely my favorite. We go there about twice a year.
OFM: What do you like about growing up in Florida?
OH: The weather is probably my favorite part because I don’t do well in the cold. The beaches are super nice too.
OFM: Do you have any certain goals for this volleyball season?
OH: Going for [a repeat] at states is definitely a huge goal for me, and just getting the team ready for when all of us seniors leave. I want to welcome the incoming freshmen into Bishop Moore so they can have a good time there.
Rachel Judy, The Master’s Academy Girls Cross Country
Judy is coming off a memorable sophomore season in which she placed fourth at the 1A state meet with a time of 18:56.6 and claimed a district title. Also a standout in track and field, she is looking forward to even bigger accomplishments as a junior.
OFM: The cross country season is almost here. Are you excited to get going?
RJ: I am so very excited. I can’t wait for this season and what it has [in store] for me.
OFM: Last season was obviously a great one. What stands out as your favorite memory?
RJ: Probably states. They had a lot of fun activities there, like a photo booth and the whole team environment. Even traveling up was so much fun. I think that was my favorite memory … and it was a good experience for me.
OFM: Do you have any particular goals for this season, for yourself or the team?
RJ: For my personal goals, I would love to break 18 [minutes] this year [and run] high 17s. I would say for states, the top three would be amazing. As far as team goals, we want to push each other, have a good placement at states and really just grow as a team.
OFM: How did you first get into distance running in the first place?
RJ: Six years ago, I had an old friend who invited me to run with them one time at practice. They still claim to this day that why I’m such a good runner is because of them.
OFM: Did you love it right away?
RJ: Honestly, I really enjoyed it at first. The first day I went out, I ran with some of the fastest girls there and had so much fun. It became a fun little friend group. Before that I ran a few local 5Ks with my mom and dad, but that was the first official time I ran with a team.
OFM: Do you prefer cross country or track?
RJ: Definitely cross country. I think the team environment is so much better—you’re more connected. And honestly, it’s more of a challenge too, which is great.
OFM: How has your training gone this summer?
RJ: We’re definitely getting ready for the season right now but it’s been consistent training all summer.
OFM: Do you have any certain rituals or routines you go through before a race?
RJ: Not necessarily—just the pre-racing meal prepping and making sure I’m having good recovery, and the start-of-the-race prepping. Nothing crazy, just a lot of praying. I love to write a Bible verse on my arm, and as a team we write a Bible verse on the back of our legs. I love it, that’s my favorite part about racing. We do Bible studies and we love to pick themes off what we do.
OFM: Would you like to run in college?
RJ: I think it’s definitely something I would want to do in college, for sure.
OFM: What kind of qualities are you looking for in a college?
RJ: Definitely a good team environment, for the coaches to be engaged in every athlete, and for the girls to push their teammates.
OFM: Do you want to go far away or stay close to home?
RJ: I don’t really have a preference. I think it would be fun to stay local, but I think out of state would be fun as well.
OFM: Do you know what kind of career you would like to pursue?
RJ: Definitely something in the medical field. I’m not sure what because there are so many options to choose from, but possibly physical therapy or any type of sports medicine.
OFM: What else do you do for fun?
RJ: I love to play with my dog. He’s a year old now and he’s a crazy little puppy. I love to do water activities, so any type of wakeboarding or skiing or any boat day. I love to swim, read and I really enjoy watching movies too. I love anything adventurous and just hanging out with my friends and family.
OFM: Have you seen any good movies this summer?
RJ: How to Train Your Dragon—the live movie that just came out. That was such a good movie. I was so happy that it directly followed the storyline of the [original]. Any movie that sounds exciting or looks exciting, I’ll check it out.
OFM: What do you like about growing up in Florida?
RJ: That’s a very good question. It’s like summer all year long, and the summer gets a little brutal sometimes, but you don’t have to worry about the cold—I cannot do the cold at all.
Alejandra Ordonez, Montverde Academy Girls Swimming
Ordonez, who specializes in the 100 and 200 freestyle, has already been a district and region champion during her standout career at Montverde and is still only a sophomore. She placed seventh in the 100 free at last year’s 1A state meet.
OFM: How was your summer?
AO: Pretty good: Just training and all that jazz. I went to Colombia earlier this summer for a national meet there, and then I came back and did Seniors Champs and another meet called Futures. I had my best time [at Futures], so I’ll take what I can get.
OFM: Do you have any particular goals for the high school season?
AO: I think this high school season is going to be kind of special. I feel like our team this year is really united and really coming together, and I think we’ll have the opportunity to do some really good things in our relays and a lot of individual events. For me personally, I want to go as far as I can at states and maybe place better there than I have in previous years and go my best times—I’m always trying to go my best times. I really just want to get fully prepared in my training and be able to show that this season.
OFM: Would you say the 100 and 200 free are your main events?
AO: They have been for the past couple of years, but this year I’m changing it up a little bit and I’m going to do the 200 and 500 free—more mid-distance than sprint. We’ll see what happens and I’m excited to see. I’ve been talking to my coach a lot about it and I’ve always trained mid-distance to help me with my sprints. A couple of years ago, I swam the 500 and I did pretty good. We just figured we would switch it up and see how far I can go, and it will help with my other events as well.
OFM: How did you first get into swimming? Have you been doing it since you were young?
AO: Yes, I was really young. It kind of just started because my parents wanted me to swim for safety. I was doing private lessons in some lady’s backyard and catching rings at the bottom of her pool. Then my older brother was going to join a team, and I tried out too. I didn’t make it the first time, but a week later I tried again and I got in, and it’s been history from there. I’ve never really stopped and I’ve been doing it my whole life. It’s almost like my job at this point and I just love it.
OFM: It’s certainly a tough sport. Are there ever days when you wake up early to train and wish you could go back to sleep?
AO: That literally happened to me this morning, actually. I was like, ‘You know, sleep doesn’t sound too bad.’ But every time that happens, I just think that I’m so lucky to even wake up in my body. My coach always tells me that I’m lucky to be there when I’m doubting myself, I’m getting tired, or mentally and physically it’s getting challenging. I have to keep going, because at the end of the day, I love doing this, I want to keep doing this, and if I stop then it will break my consistency, and consistency is what keeps me going.
OFM: Where did you grow up?
AO: I was born here in the U.S., but I always tell people that I kind of live in two different places because I would go to Colombia for months at a time growing up. I’ve always studied here and done school here, but every break I go back to Colombia. All of my family is there and I just love it there. I would live there in two seconds if I could. But I’ve been here at Montverde for the past eight years, which is crazy.
OFM: Do you feel lucky to have that experience of living in two countries?
AO: Yeah, I feel really lucky. It made me the person I am today: I have so much from two different cultures that makes me me, and a lot of my friendships and relationships have come from both places. It’s a part of me at this point, and even with swimming, going there to compete is a different environment than here. I feel like I can make it a lot farther there.
OFM: Have you competed for Colombia in international events?
AO: I have swam on a national level there, and next year I’m going to my first international event and competing with the national team. I’m excited for that.
OFM: Is it your goal to swim in the Olympics someday for Colombia?
AO: Definitely. For the U.S., I’m sure everybody knows how competitive it is here. It also is there, but I think I’ll have that opportunity there and I also feel very proud to represent Colombia. I really see myself following through with that and hopefully I can even go in 2028 in L.A. We’ll see how that goes, but that’s what I’m working toward.
OFM: Do you want to swim for a college in the U.S.?
AO: Definitely that too. [Laughs]. Of course I want to continue to study here. I want to go to a Power [5] school; a top 10 D-I. I always want to get to the top in both places, here in the U.S. and in Colombia.
OFM: Do you know what you would like to study in college?
AO: There are many things I’ve thought about. I’m very passionate about helping people in any way that I can, especially less fortunate people and children. I kind of like architecture—I think it’s very cool—so I’ve always had this idea where maybe I could start my own business and help build housing for less fortunate people in countries where they don’t have as much or it’s overcrowded.
OFM: What do you like about going to school at Montverde?
AO: The coaches here are amazing, the teachers here are amazing, and I love the environment that I’ve grown up in here. I’ve had friendships for years here that I wouldn’t trade the world for. I have no complaints, really. They give us so many tools in our education and our sports, and it just keeps getting better.
OFM: What do you like to do for fun when you get a break from school or swimming?
AO: I’m the kind of person who likes to go out a lot. It’s hard sometimes with swimming, but I’m always down to go somewhere, whether it’s going out to eat or going to the beach. Also, I’m very Catholic and I like to go to church a lot, and I’m part of a youth group here in Clermont. Every Friday I go there, which is really nice.
Josiah Wang, Windermere Prep Boys Golf
Wang, a senior, was in the mix at most of the major tournaments during his junior season, as he won a regional championship to go with a sixth-place finish at districts and a 25th-place showing at 1A states. He has high hopes for his final campaign.
OFM: Are you excited for the season to get underway?
JW: I’m very excited. It’s my last high school season and I want to do my best. We have a pretty good team—everybody is very talented and hardworking. I want to win states as a team—that’s my biggest goal—and I want to win individually as well.
OFM: Do you have a favorite memory from last year?
JW: Probably regionals. I won individually and there was a playoff between us and Circle Academy for the [team] win. We managed to get two birdies on that hole and that’s how we won.
OFM: How long have you been playing golf?
JW: About seven years. My whole family plays golf, so I just followed my dad to the range one summer and that’s how I got into it.
OFM: What do you love about the sport?
JW: Playing against friends and playing with family. Playing team golf is probably my favorite part of the year.
OFM: You’re originally from China, right? What was it like moving across the world?
JW: I moved to the U.S. when I was 11. I guess it wasn’t too bad because I spoke English my whole life. A few weeks after I moved, COVID happened, so that was the toughest part.
OFM: What do you like about living in Florida?
JW: There are so many golf courses and you can play all year.
OFM: Do you have a favorite local course?
JW: Probably my home course, Isleworth. It’s really challenging and the conditions are very good, and it’s right near my house.
OFM: If you could play any golf course in the world, which would you pick?
JW: Pebble Beach.
OFM: What do you miss most about China?
JW: The food, but the restaurants [in the U.S.] that are run by Chinese people are good—the small mom-and-pop shops.
OFM: What part of China are you from?
JW: My hometown is in the north, in Shandong, but my family moved to Hong Kong. I’ve only been back twice since coming to the U.S.
OFM: What do you like about going to school at Windermere Prep?
JW: It’s more relaxed and I have a lot of good friends. We have a lot of Chinese students, Brazilian students—it’s very diverse.
OFM: What else do you do for fun?
JW: I like to play video games, like most guys. I like to play poker as well, but I don’t use real money, just fake chips.
OFM: Do you know what you’re doing next year?
JW: Not yet, but hopefully I can get into an engineering school. I’m still deciding if I want to play golf, but I’ll definitely continue playing as a hobby.
OFM: Are you looking at schools in Florida?
JW: I’m looking in the Northeast. My dad is living in Boston, so maybe around that area.
Danny Odem, The First Academy Football
A senior cornerback, Odem recorded 45 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last year after transferring from his home state of Pennsylvania. Also a contributor at wide receiver, he will focus on defense next year at Nebraska.
OFM: How excited are you heading into your senior season and what do you think this team can accomplish?
DO: I’m very excited. [We want to be] ranked nationally, win a national championship and be ranked first by ESPN.
OFM: Do you have any personal goals?
DO: I just want to finish out strong and keep grinding so I’m prepared to play early in college.
OFM: What led you to commit to Nebraska for college?
DO: The relationships and the connections, and the things that I feel can be done at Nebraska.
OFM: Do you know what you want to study?
DO: I’m going to study real estate and construction.
OFM: You’re originally from PA, right?
DO: Yes, sir—Farrell, Pennsylvania.
OFM: What brought you to Florida?
DO: I just needed a fresh start. My grandfather lived down here, so I was visiting and then me and my mom decided that we needed a fresh start somewhere new.
OFM: What do you like about the area?
DO: The sunshine, the palm trees, the people. It snows bad in Pennsylvania, so I like the weather.
OFM: What do you miss about home?
DO: I miss my family, my little brother, but they understand the sacrifices you have to make to get where you want to be.
OFM: Pennsylvania is known as a great football state, but of course so is Florida. Is it fun to be part of the culture here with all of the great players in the area?
DO: Yes, sir, especially coming from the small town I come from. Pennsylvania is really known for football, but the town that I’m from, not so much. It’s known in our area, but globally, not so much. So showing my talents down here against the best of the best really excites me.
OFM: Have you always been a cornerback?
DO: No, sir. Last year was my first year ever at cornerback.
OFM: Cornerback can be a tough challenge because you’re alone most of the time. What do you like about the position?
DO: That’s what I like most about it. You’re on your own—you’re on that island, and it’s either you or him. You have to prove that you’ve been working.
OFM: Are there any particular great receivers in the area who you like facing?
DO: Really, my teammates that I practice against make me better every day. I’m very appreciative of them, and I hope that I’m doing the same in getting them better and preparing them for college too. We have one going to Pitt, one going to ’Bama—we’ve got some dogs.
OFM: Are you still playing wide receiver this year too?
DO: Yes, sir. I’ll play wherever I’m needed. I’ll play quarterback, punter, kicker.
OFM: Is it your dream to play in the NFL someday?
DO: Yes, sir. It’s going to take hard work, dedication and a lot of long, sleepless nights. I just have to keep giving it my all and keep doing what I’m doing.
OFM: Nebraska coach Matt Rhule has coached in the NFL and he’s certainly sent a lot of players to the NFL. Are you looking forward to playing for him?
DO: Definitely. Coach Rhule is a Penn State guy, so we have that [Pennsylvania] connection. Coach John Butler coached with the Buffalo Bills—he’s our D coordinator and he was the D coordinator with the Bills. He coached Damar Hamlin, guys like that from Western Pennsylvania, so he knows what I’m all about. He even had Damar call me and give me wisdom on what it takes to get to the next level.
OFM: What else do you do for fun when you get a break from training or playing football?
DO: Man, I don’t really get breaks. I might play a game here or there, but other than that, not much.
OFM: Do you watch a lot of college football and NFL, and are there certain guys you like to emulate?
DO: Yes, sir. I like [Patrick] Surtain, [Jalen] Ramsey, [Stephon] Gilmore. I like to watch different DBs and try to add a little something from every one of them. I even watch some receiver film, because me playing receiver helps me understand what’s coming as a DB. There are only a certain amount of routes the receiver can run based off how he’s lined up.
OFM: Did you grow up a Steelers fan?
DO: Yes, sir—I still am.
Star Watch
FOOTBALL
Kenyon Alston, Bishop Moore: After setting single-season school records with 970 receiving yards and 14 touchdown catches last year, this senior wide receiver will continue to be a big-play threat for the Hornets before moving on to the University of Illinois.
Frederick Ards, Jones: Just a junior, this 6-foot-5, 230-pound defensive end/linebacker is a feared pass rusher with offers from some of the top college programs in the country.
CJ Bronaugh, Windermere: Possessing elite speed and coverage skills, this senior cornerback picked off six passes last year and earned a scholarship to Florida.
Dereon Coleman, Jones: This senior quarterback threw for 3,412 yards and 28 touchdowns last season to lead Jones to a 14-1 record and the 4A state championship game. He is committed to Miami.
DeAnthony Lafayette, Lake Nona: Lafayette, a senior linebacker/edge rusher, terrorized opposing quarterbacks last year as he racked up 17.5 sacks to go with 73 tackles. He is headed to LSU.
Demetrice McCray, The First Academy: A senior wide receiver, McCray hauled in 36 catches for 894 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. He will continue his career at Pitt.
Ayden Pouncey, Winter Park: A standout in the secondary and at wide receiver for Winter Park, Pouncey will focus on defense next year at Notre Dame.
BOYS SWIMMING
Walter Zeman, Celebration: An outstanding sprinter, this senior placed in the top five in both the 50 and 100 free at last year’s 4A state meet and was a district champion in both events.
Oliver Polsinelli, Trinity Prep: Polsinelli has been a regional and district diving champion for each of the past two seasons and placed third in the 1A state diving meet last year. A two-year captain, he also finished in the top 10 nationally for AAU Diving.
GIRLS SWIMMING
Addison Bitel, Windermere Prep: A district and regional champion last year in the 100 breaststroke, Bitel went on to place second at the 1A state meet. A Duke commit, she competed this summer in the Speedo Junior National Championships.
BOYS GOLF
Chase Bauer, Windermere Prep: As a freshman last fall, Bauer won titles at two tournaments, carding a 69 at both the Winter Springs Invitational and District 6. He also took 32nd at regionals and 14th at 1A states.
Mingbo Jiang, The First Academy: Jiang, a senior, has placed in the top 10 at 1A states in each of the past three seasons, and this summer he won the Florida State Golf Association’s Boys Junior Championship. He is committed to USC,
Christian Koehn, Lake Highland Prep: Koehn’s impressive freshman season included strong showings at several major tournaments, including a seventh-place finish at 1A states thanks to back-to-back rounds of 72.
GIRLS GOLF
Charlize Peterson, Lake Mary Prep: Peterson, a junior, was named Lake Mary Prep’s co-MVP last year after carding a 69-68 at 1A states to place fourth. She also took sixth at both districts and regionals.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Geiliany Del Valle, Foundation Academy: A senior setter, Del Valle collected a school-record 57 assists in a win over Dr. Phillips last year on her way to 783 total assists for the season. She is committed to Embry-Riddle.
Amelia Mancino, Winter Park: Mancino, a senior outside hitter, recorded a team-high 307 kills to go with 181 digs, 52 blocks and 46 aces last year for the 7A state champions. She will continue her career at Appalachian State.
Madison Wehr, Olympia: A three-year starter at setter, Wehr has compiled more than 1,770 assists and nearly 700 digs during her career at Olympia. She is headed to Middle Tennessee State
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Aiden, Brody and Colin Aysun, Oviedo: The Lions have hopes of capturing a state championship this fall, and the Aysun triplets are a big reason for the optimism. All three seniors are not only at the top of their class academically, but are leaders of the cross country and track programs as well. At last fall’s 4A state meet, Colin placed ninth in 15:52.9, Aiden took 37th in 16:17.0 and Brody finished 77th in 16:39.1.
Jacob Finch, Horizon: Last year as a junior, Finch clocked a time of 16:05.9 to place 17th at the 4A state meet. He also took first at the Hawks on the Hill Invitational.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Layla Sahaydak, Boone: Sahaydak heads into her senior season with the Braves aiming to follow up her solid efforts at regionals (15th place) and 4A states (24th).
Annabella Tomasic, Bishop Moore: As an eighth grader last year at Lake Highland Prep, Tomasic ran an 18:15.2 at 2A states to place third and was also a district and regional champion. A state champ two years ago, she is looking to continue shining at her new school.
Abigayle White, Horizon: White, a junior, took fifth at regionals and 20th at 4A states as a sophomore and hopes to improve upon her season-best time of 18:31.52.
BOYS BOWLING
Francis Johnson, East River: After placing second at states as an eighth grader at Circle Christian, Johnson transferred to East River last year and matched the accomplishment as a freshman. He also won the Florida Ninth Grade High School Singles Tournament, and it will be exciting to see what he can accomplish with three more years of high school bowling to go.
GIRLS BOWLING
Camdyn Nielsen, East River: A senior who has started on varsity all four years, Nielsen has been a big part of multiple district, regional and state championship teams and has an individual district title on her resume.
Larielle Tharps, East River: Still only a junior, Tharps placed fifth at state last year and led East River to its second straight undefeated season and state crown.
