JT Bronaugh, Foundation Academy football

A senior running back, Bronaugh is coming off a breakout junior season in which he rushed for 1,277 yards and 15 touchdowns on 91 carries to help Foundation post a 6-3 record. Also a star sprinter during track season, he is being heavily recruited for football and has offers from Minnesota, Eastern Michigan, Air Force and Kansas, among others.

OFM: Are you excited to follow up your successful junior season and see what you can do as a senior?

JB: Oh, for sure. I definitely improved in my footwork and I needed to get my pads in lower. My fundamentals have improved a lot over the summer, so I’m ready for it.

OFM: Do you have any certain goals in mind for yourself and the team this season?

JB: Personally, I want to get to 2K yards this year. For the team, I just want to go as far as possible. Last year, we didn’t get to make the playoffs, but I have so much faith in this year’s team. Our team is young, but we’re getting it done.

OFM: Have you always been a running back?

JB: My first position was corner, and then I started at running back I think the second year that I played football. It kind of clicked, so I just kept at it when I first went to Foundation.

OFM: What do you love about playing running back?

JB: I don’t know, I guess that you can just give me the ball and watch the magic happen. It’s really simple to do, you just run. There’s not much thinking involved, you just score. Follow your blocks and you’ll be good.

OFM: Do you have favorite running backs at the pro or college level who you like to watch?

JB: My first running back [I liked], the reason I wear No. 22, is Fred Jackson. He’s the first running back I was introduced to and I always go back and watch [clips of] when he played for the Bills. Karlos Williams is helping me a lot with my recruiting. He used to play for the Bills as well and I know him personally. He’s been very impactful in my life—he’s a family friend and I met him at a young age.

OFM: Speaking of recruiting, how is that process going?

JB: I’m loving the process. Everyone says, “Take it slow, it’s only going to happen once, don’t be quick to jump at one school because of their reputation.” So I’m loving it. Everyone is so nice, of course because they want me to go to their school. The pressure is there, but I’ve adapted to it and it’s a good feeling.

OFM: What are you looking for in a school and a program?

JB: One that serves me well and one that I know I’ll be able to call home. I want the school to be close to home, but I’m also OK with going long distance. I’m very family-oriented and family plays a big part in everything, so I don’t want just myself to choose where I go, because I still want to see my family. But I want a great program with coaches who I know will help me and not just yell at me if I do something wrong.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?

JB: Right now it’s business, but that can change. That’s what my dad does and I know he’ll show me the ropes.

OFM: I know that your younger brother CJ is expected to have a big year as well. What’s it like to have him as a teammate?

JB: It’s so much easier playing with him. At first I was a little worried because he’s my brother and I know him better than anyone else. But as he matured, it got easier playing with him. Now, he’s pretty much just as tall as me and he’s only a sophomore. He runs a 10.7 in track and I run a 10.65, so he’s right behind me. He’s not going to catch me—I’m not letting him catch me until I leave, and then he can pass me. He has so much potential and it helps so much to have him on the same team.

OFM: Is track your other love along with football?

JB: For sure. I definitely would not be as fast as I am if I didn’t do track. I also did a lot of speed work over the summer with Karlos Williams and he helped me a lot too. But track is definitely a major part of why I’m so fast.

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

JB: Because of how small it is, you know everyone there. All of the teachers know you, and as long as you don’t have a bad reputation and you get along with everyone, the school is amazing. It’s really hands-on, there’s a lot of love from everybody, and you never feel alone. There’s a lot of support for all the sports there too. I had a chance to leave the school this summer, but I wanted to stick with it for my senior year because I like it so much.

OFM: There is so much football talent in Central Florida. Is it cool to be a part of that and to see guys go on to big-time college programs?

JB: I have a lot of teammates who have gone on to college. Bryan Thomas went to the Gamecocks [to play for the University of South Carolina], and going up to camp and seeing him there was just crazy. I played with him and now he’s playing in the SEC. That inspires me—if he can do it, I can do it. Playing in Orlando and Winter Garden, you just know everybody, and 7-on-7 plays a role too.

OFM: What else do you do for fun when you’re not playing sports?

JB: Just hang around the local area, play games, chill. I actually do a lot of training with my running back coach and my defensive coach. I do a lot with my defensive coach, his name is Denzel Irvin. He played at Charlotte and then he coached at Charlotte, and now he coaches with us. He had a heart transplant, so it’s amazing that he’s helping the team and helping me to get better while he’s keeping track of his heart.

OFM: Have you always lived in Florida?

JB: Yes, I was born in Orlando. My mom is from St. Pete and my dad is from Buffalo, and they went to the same college. I know a lot of people in the area, from football mainly. Staying in the same area has helped me build a lot of friendships.

Emily Santos, Montverde Academy swimming

Santos, a senior, took third in the breaststroke at last year’s 1A state meet and was also a district champion in the event. A Virginia Tech commit, the native of Panama has represented her country at multiple international competitions, including the 2020 Summer Olympics hosted by Tokyo in 2021.

OFM: Are you excited for one last high school swimming season at Montverde?

ES: Yes. I’m feeling pretty good; I’ve been training most of the summer and we’ve had a really good start to training together as a team. We’re coming on strong.

OFM: Do you have any specific goals in mind for yourself and the team?

ES: I always want to drop my times and I also want to get better at my 200 IM, and we’re very excited about the relays too. Of course, we all want to make it to states, so we’re going hard for that. We just want to do the best that we can and drop our times as much as we can too.

OFM: You’ve come so close to an individual state championship over the past several years. Is that something you’re really aiming for?

ES: Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it this year because I have the Pan American Games. But I am excited for my team to do very well.

OFM: You’ve gotten to compete in many memorable events. What was it like to represent your country at the Olympics in Tokyo and be among the best swimmers in the world?

ES: It was such a beautiful feeling and a nice experience. It was definitely an honor to represent my country in the Olympic Games. All of the people there were so nice and the facilities were amazing. Swimming in that pool was an amazing experience.

OFM: Was that a lifelong dream of yours, to swim in the Olympics?

ES: Yes. And now that I made it, I really want to go back again.

OFM: How long have you been swimming competitively?

ES: I started when I was 8, so I’ve been at it for 10 years now. My family has always been very supportive. When I was little, I used to do everything. I used to do triathlons and I really liked the swimming part, so I got into swimming more.

OFM: Was it difficult to leave your family in Panama to come to school in Florida?

ES: It was hard in the beginning, but it’s gotten easier as the years have passed. I’ve gotten used to living here. I do miss them a lot, but they come and visit me, and I go and visit them.

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

ES: I just like the community here. A lot of the teachers help me when I’m struggling with homework or I’m away for meets. I love my coaches, they make practice really fun, and I really love my teammates too. It’s a nice experience when we have meets or we go outside for activities. Just the community in general I really love.

OFM: Have you enjoyed living in Central Florida?

ES: Yeah. The more I’ve been here, the more places I find. I’ve found that I really like going blueberry picking and strawberry picking. I love St. Petersburg and I really like to go to Universal when I have the chance. I’m really in love with Florida and I’ve been able to enjoy it.

OFM: Other than family and friends, what do you miss most about home?

ES: Panama is really close to the ocean, obviously, and I’m a fan of going to fish with my parents. That’s something I really miss that I don’t really do over here.

OFM: What led you to commit to Virginia Tech?

ES: I’ve always been a fan since I was little. One of the coaches there, Albert Subirats, I’m a really big fan of his. He used to swim when I was little and we met when he was still a swimmer, so I’ve always followed him, and also Sergio [Lopez Miro], who is the head coach. I like how they manage the program and how they are as coaches. Once I got to visit and I met them and met the team, I was like, “OK, this is it. This is exactly what I was hoping for.”

OFM: Do you know what you want to study in college?

ES: I’ve been leaning toward business. There’s something about it that I’ve found interesting over the past few years.

OFM: You’ve gotten to travel all over the world because of swimming. Where else have you been in addition to Tokyo?

ES: I’ve been to Abu Dhabi, Hungary, El Salvador, Guatemala, Chile, Argentina, Colombia—I’ve been to a lot of places now that I think about it. Honestly, every single experience has been an amazing experience. I’ve met a lot of new people, seen a lot of new places and tasted new foods. It’s been really nice.

OFM: What are some of your hobbies when you get a break from swimming?

ES: I really love drawing. I’m big on drawing and painting—it’s something I do to relax a little bit. I also love reading a good book, watching movies and just hanging out with friends.

Boyi “Barry” Zhang, Lake Mary Prep golf

Zhang has been a standout for the Lake Mary Prep golf team since helping the Griffins claim a state title in his freshman year. Now a senior, the two-time regional champion and native of China is expected to contend for an individual state crown before moving on to college.

OFM: Is it hard to believe you’re entering your final year of high school?

BZ: Yes. It feels like it was very quick. I’ve been here since ninth grade and played my entire high school [career] here. I still have memories of my freshman season and it’s kind of weird that it went by so quick and I’m at the end already.

OFM: You’ve had quite a career already. What stands out when you look back at your accomplishments?

BZ: When it comes down to the best one, it’s definitely the team state championship win during my freshman season. We had a great team that year and everybody was supportive. I was obviously new at the time, and my older teammates definitely helped me a lot. We’re trying to replicate that this year.

OFM: Are you confident in the group you have coming back this year?

BZ: Yeah, for sure. We’ve got two new coaches this year, so there’s a few changes with how the team works and how the coaches do things. But I know the coaches pretty well, so I’m excited for that. There’s a lot of new blood, a lot of younger players this year. I don’t know everyone yet but I know a few, and I’m pretty confident that they’ll do well. I’m excited.

OFM: Do you feel like you can compete for an individual state title?

BZ: Yeah, of course. Florida is obviously a big golf state and the high school leagues are packed with good players. Everybody has the ability to shoot low scores in any given round at any given course. I think it just comes down to who handles the competition the best and who has their A game. Whoever handles the pressure the best will have the best chance, and as long as I get that figured out, I would say I’m pretty confident with my chances.

OFM: I know you won an American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) event recently. Are you pleased with how you played this summer?

BZ: Yeah, I would say it’s been a good summer for me—better than last summer. I’ve won an AJGA open and played a few invitational events. I played in a match-play event and I made it to the quarterfinals or something, so that was also a good one. It feels like this summer is less busy but it was a pretty memorable summer.

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

BZ: My dad played a lot of golf when I was young, and one day he brought me out and gave me a little club. Growing up, whenever my dad played, I would tag along. I slowly got into playing tournaments and I improved my game.

OFM: Did you grow up in the U.S. or in China?

BZ: In China. I moved here [with my parents] in eighth grade, for school and golf, because there’s a pretty good golf system here.

OFM: Was it a tough adjustment when you first arrived in the U.S.?

BZ: The language was OK because I went to an international school growing up, so I was fine with communication. I guess it was mainly the lifestyle change that stood out to me. Back in China, I lived in Beijing, which is a big city as you might know. Moving here, it was a different feel. There’s less traffic, which is definitely helpful, and more golf, which is great. In Beijing, it gets colder in the winter and you can’t really play there because they have to shut the course down. Down here, there are no such problems—there’s still good golf weather in December.

OFM: What do you miss most about home?

BZ: I still have a lot of friends there, and a lot of relatives in my extended family, so I miss them. I travel back sometimes when it’s the offseason or I’m on a school holiday. I went back earlier this summer and got to see some friends and family. That’s the part I miss the most.

OFM: What about the food?

BZ: Well, yes, but you can cook the food here.

OFM: Do you have any favorite courses to play in the area?

BZ: There are a lot of great courses to play in Florida. I travel up to Georgia every December for the Jones Cup Junior [Invitational] and they play at the Sea Island Seaside Course. They play a PGA Tour event there—I think it’s the RSM Classic—and that’s definitely one of my favorite courses. The views are pretty amazing and it’s always in pretty good condition. The weather get a little rough sometimes, but that’s just part of the course. I’ve always enjoyed playing there.

OFM: What is your dream course to play that you have not played yet?

BZ: I’m going to play the Junior Players [Championship] at the end of August and I’m definitely looking forward to that because I’ve never played TPC Sawgrass before—I’ve only watched an event there. Aside from that, I’ve been to Pebble Beach before but I’ve never played it, so I’m looking forward to doing that sometime in the future.

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

BZ: Well first of all, the teachers are very supportive when I’m out at a tournament or something comes up. It’s always pretty simple to make up what I missed. If I miss a test, the teachers are reasonable and they won’t give you a zero or anything. It’s easy to reschedule stuff, so I really love the flexibility. I also like the learning atmosphere: The students are nice to each other and the teachers aren’t super boring. It definitely helps to have a supportive school environment, and that’s why I did not transfer to another school. When I moved here in eighth grade, I was at Lake Mary Prep, and all through high school I stayed.

OFM: What are some of your hobbies away from golf and school?

BZ: When I was younger, my dad didn’t try to guide me to golf—he just brought me to golf, and at the same time he brought me to other sports for a basic exposure session. He was just trying to see what I liked, and eventually I picked golf. But the other sports he brought me to, I didn’t just drop them. I still play for fun once in a while, so that’s what I do during my free time. Me and my friends will go out and play ping pong, basketball or tennis if there’s a good court we can use. I’m not the best, but I know the rules, I know how to play and I like to play.

Ryan Erisman, Windermere swimming

Just a junior, Erisman is coming off an impressive sophomore season in which he took second in the 500 free and third in the 200 free at the 4A state meet, in addition to winning district titles in both events. He has also made a name for himself as one of the top swimmers in the country in his age bracket.

OFM: After a strong sophomore season, do you have any particular goals in mind for your junior season?

RE: I’m hoping to win both of my individual events and I’m also hoping to win both of the relays I’m on [at states]. I’m not exactly sure what events I’ll be doing, but whatever they are, I hope to win state titles.

Star Watch

FOOTBALL

Cai Bates, Edgewater: Known for his excellent cover skills, this senior cornerback had four interceptions as a junior and added 17 catches for 241 yards and a touchdown at wide receiver as Edgewater went 12-1 and reached the region final. He is committed to LSU.

Jordyn Bridgewater, West Orange: A speedy wide receiver who caught 39 balls for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, Bridgewater has drawn interest from a number of college programs, including UCF, Miami, Pittsburgh and Iowa State.

Sincere Edwards, Wekiva: An elite pass rusher, this senior defensive end registered 78 tackles, 16 sacks and two fumble recoveries last season. He will continue his career at UCF.

Tye Hylton, Oviedo: Hylton, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound senior offensive tackle, was heavily recruited by schools across the country before deciding to stay close to home as a Florida State commit.

Trever Jackson, Jones: A senior transfer from West Orange, Jackson is one of the premier quarterbacks in the area. He threw for 1,559 yards and 16 touchdowns and ran for more than 300 yards as a junior, and holds offers from the likes of Penn State, Texas A&M, UCLA and Miami.

Brandon Jacob, Evans: Ranked No. 143 on ESPN’s list of the top recruits nationally in the class of 2024, this senior safety had a breakout junior season that included five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He committed to Maryland this summer.

Laggarius Marshell, Boone: Considered one of the best running backs in Central Florida, Marshell amassed 1,285 yards on 181 carries as a junior and scored 16 touchdowns.

Joshua Raymond, Lake Mary: A 6-foot-4, 275-pound offensive tackle, Raymond helped lead his team to the regional championship game last season and is headed to the SEC as a Vanderbilt commit.

Ivan Taylor, West Orange: The son of former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and two-time Super Bowl champion Ike Taylor, this junior is one of the top defensive backs in the country in the class of 2025 and has offers from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame and more.

BOYS GOLF

Carson Baez, Windermere: Baez and his younger brother Cameron both carded 75s at last year’s 3A state tournament to help the Wolves take third place. He also won a district title with a 68 and shot 71 at regions. Baez, a University of Richmond commit, won the Press Thornton Future Masters Tournament in Alabama earlier this summer.

Josiah Wang, Windermere Prep: Wang’s phenomenal freshman season included an individual district championship and a second-place finish at 1A states, where he carded a 71.

GIRLS GOLF

Lauryn Finley, Lake Mary: Finley shot a 72 to place second at the 3A state meet as a sophomore, leading the Rams to the state title. She also carded a 66 to tie for first at regionals and shot a 69 at districts.

Ryleigh Knaub, Lake Mary: Knaub, a junior, was a district champion and tied for first at regionals last year, and she’s also enjoyed a sensational summer, earning spots on both the Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup Junior Teams. She will be representing the United States and competing at both prestigious events this fall in Europe.

Elan Zhang, Dr. Phillips: Zhang was in the mix at several major tournaments last year, taking second at districts, regions and 3A states, shooting in the low 70s each time. It would not be surprising to see her secure a big win or two this fall.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Kierstin Bevelle, Lake Highland Prep: Bevelle, a junior outside hitter, was a major reason why Lake Highland Prep claimed a region championship and advanced to the 3A state semifinals last year. She collected 249 kills, 257 digs and 44 aces.

Anika Groom, Bishop Moore: A junior outside hitter, Groom led the 4A region runners-up with 250 kills and added 100 digs, 26 blocks and 30 aces.

Victoria Hill, Trinity Prep: One of the premier finishers in the state, this junior outside hitter totaled 415 kills as a sophomore—the second year in a row she eclipsed 400—and chipped in 291 digs and 33 aces.

Eloise Johnston, Geneva: Johnston, a junior who can line up at opposite and middle hitter, recorded 182 kills and 41 blocks to help Geneva go 17-6 and reach the region semifinals. She should play an even bigger role this fall.

Fallon Stewart, Winter Park: A 6-foot-3 senior outside hitter, Stewart led the Wildcats in several statistical categories, including kills (471) and blocks (73), as they went 21-8. She will continue her career at Cincinnati.

BOYS SWIMMING

Nathan Frette, Lake Buena Vista: A junior diver, Frette is coming off a dominant sophomore season that included Metro Conference, district and regional titles before capping things off with the Vipers’ first state championship.

Ian Heysen Ricci, Winter Park: This junior won district titles in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM before placing in the top 10 in both events at states last fall. This summer, he was a four-time champion at the Florida Senior Championships.

GIRLS SWIMMING

Lanie Gutch, Boone: One of the best divers in the state throughout her career, Gutch has a state title and two runner-up finishes already and it will be interesting to see how she goes out in her senior season.

Addison Reese, Windermere: Reese, a senior, claimed district titles in the 100 butterfly and 200 free last fall and went on to finish second and third, respectively, in the same events at states. Also a part of the state championship 200 free relay, she will continue her career at the University of Florida.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Alejandro Berrio, University: Berrio was the 4A Region 3 runner-up as a junior and went on to place 33rd at states with a time of 16:30.6.

Dylan Mauldin, Boone: Mauldin’s memorable sophomore season featured the Metro Conference East championship and a 24th-place finish at 4A states, where he clocked a 16:17.8.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Ava Hendrix, Lake Minneola: Last year as a sophomore, Hendrix was a district champion, a regional runner-up and placed 23rd at the 3A state meet.

Emily Knopfle, Olympia: Knopfle, a junior, competed in eight races as a sophomore and won five of them, including conference and district crowns. She covered the 4A state course in 18:34 to place second.

Ava Wyant, The Master’s Academy: Wyant captured a district championship last fall and placed in the top five at states for the second year in a row. Also a track star—she was a state champion in the 800 meters this past spring—she is committed to the University of Florida for both sports.

BOYS BOWLING

Isaiah Jackson, Apopka: Jackson, a senior, posted a 232 game average as a junior and helped the Blue Darters capture the program’s sixth state championship. He also shined at nationals this past June as Apopka won the U.S. High School Bowling Federation title.

TJ Pierson, East River: This senior has been a key competitor for East River throughout his career and averaged a 217 last year. He placed third at districts and 45th at states.

GIRLS BOWLING

Madison Bailey, Timber Creek: Bailey’s accomplishments as a sophomore included a selection to the all-Metro East team, a 189 average and a seventh-place finish at states.

Emily Rusnak, East River: Rusnak, a senior, had a high game of 258 and a 204 average as a junior, and took second place at districts.