Meet eight local student-athletes ready to make an impact this fall.

Onix Ortiz, Windermere boys cross country
A senior, Ortiz placed 11th in the 4A state finals last year with a time of 16:17.62 to go with a seventh at regions and a runner-up at districts. Also a standout during spring track, he is poised for a big final season.

OFM: Has it hit you that this is your last year of high school?
OO: Yeah; it’s crazy to think that I’ve already been in high school for three years and this is my last one.

OFM: Do you have specific goals for your final cross country season?
OO: Definitely. Going 15:40 is the goal, but I’ll take anything under 16 [minutes], for sure. As a team we want to win the state title. I finished 11th personally last year and I definitely want to be in the top five this year. I think I had the ability to be in the top 10 last year, but it wasn’t my best race.

OFM: Do you like the state course in Tallahassee?
OO: Yes. I would probably say it’s one of my favorite courses. It’s pretty tough; it has some tough hills and sharp turns. But overall it’s a really nice course.

OFM: What have you done this summer to prepare for the season?
OO: I had nationals so I was running track all the way up to June 14 or 15. I took a little break after that and then I started hitting the miles pretty hard. I was coming off an injury in track so it was a little tough at first, but I’ve just been going on really long runs and getting my body used to the big miles.

OFM: A calf injury kept you out of states during track season. How did you handle that?
OO: It was the most frustrating thing. I had a workout leading up to regionals—where I got hurt—and I was in the best shape of my life. My coach was telling me the great things that were going to happen and I was ready to drop a massive PR. So when that happened I was pretty upset. My goal was to win a state championship in the mile and that was ruined. But hopefully I’ll have another chance this year.

OFM: How did you first get into distance running?
OO: I originally started playing basketball in high school but that didn’t work out. I just wanted to be active and I’ve always liked running. My friend told me to go out for track and field, and I didn’t have anything else to do. So that’s how it started. The coaches thought I could be pretty fast, because I was putting in the hard work just like everybody else. I got a spot on the 4×800 as a freshman, so that was pretty cool. The first time my coach asked me to run the mile, I didn’t know how that was going to go. I didn’t think I was a mile guy, but it actually went pretty well. After that I switched schools and came to Windermere, and the head coach told me I should do cross country too. So I started doing that because of track and I ended up liking it a lot. Now I do both.

OFM: What was it like leaving West Orange to come to Windermere for the first year the school opened?
OO: It wasn’t too bad, because most of the guys I had been friends with for a while came over as well. I had to leave my 4×800 team, and we were supposed to do well my sophomore year. They had to find a replacement for me, so that was tough.

OFM: Are you hoping to run in college?
OO: Most definitely, yes. We’ve started searching here and there. I’m really interested in FSU, USF and Miami. We’re going to go on visits in the fall when official visits start, and we’ll see what happens. It’s definitely in my plans to stay in Florida, but if I do get a nice offer out of state that I can’t pass up, I wouldn’t be opposed to going out of state.

OFM: Have you always lived in Florida?
OO: I’m originally from Puerto Rico; I moved here halfway through sixth grade. I was open to it when my parents first brought it up. I already spoke a little bit of English, but when we came here and I had to speak it all the time, it was tough. I didn’t go to school for a few weeks until we got signed up. It was tough finding friends and speaking English, but eventually I got used to it.

OFM: Obviously, Puerto Rico has been dealing with some tough times lately. Do you ever get to go back and visit?
OO: I usually go back every summer. I have more family than friends there, but there are still some kids I grew up with that I see. It’s actually not great there right now with the scandal over the governor.

OFM: What is something you like about living in Florida?
OO: The weather is pretty similar to Puerto Rico so I like that. It’s never too cold in the winter. The coldest temperature I had ever been in before coming here was 60 degrees. We used to go to the parks the first few years. We still do if we have someone visit from Puerto Rico, but it’s not a usual thing anymore.

OFM: What do you do for fun when you’re not training?
OO: I play basketball here and there and I play video games. I love fishing so I go fishing a lot. I like going to whatever lakes in the area that have nice bass.

Emily McLatchey, Winter Park golf
A junior captain, McLatchey has been the No. 1 player for Winter Park since her freshman year. She was the medalist last year as the Wildcats repeated as district champs, and she also helped them place second at regionals and move on to states for the second consecutive season.

OFM: You’ve had two straight impressive seasons in high school golf. Are you looking forward to your junior season?
EM: Yes; I’m definitely excited for this season. I personally want to play better than I have for the last two seasons, and I feel like I’m ready to do that. I’m also excited to get back with the other girls on the team and work with them and the coach (Joe DiFrancesco). Our coach is really helpful and he’s been such a great coach for us. I’m excited to see everyone and to play better than we have the last two seasons.

OFM: The team has won back-to-back district titles and competed at states in both of your seasons. What do you think you can accomplish this year?
EM: We did lose four seniors, so it’s going to be tough not having them. But we also had a lot of freshmen who are going to be sophomores, and I think they’re going to help the team out a lot. Hopefully we can do well at districts again and make it to regionals. If our team is able to make it to states again, that would be great. That’s our goal.

OFM: What are you looking to do on an individual level?
EM: My personal goal is definitely to make it to states, even if our team doesn’t go. The last two years, I didn’t play my best at states, so I definitely want to do better and place at states.

OFM: How did you first get into golf?
EM: I was about 7 or 8 when I started playing, and I got into it because my dad and uncle play. I went out with them one time and I just thought it was so much fun, so I kept playing and I’ve been doing it ever since.

OFM: What do you love about golf?
EM: I feel like it’s really different from a lot of other sports because it’s not really adrenaline-driven. You have to be in control of everything. It’s not just about how you’re playing; there’s a mental part too. I love it because I feel like I’ve learned so much from the mental part of it. If you do well, you have to step back and analyze what you have to do next.

OFM: Do you still play with your dad?
EM: He doesn’t play as much as he used to, but we still try to go out and play every once in a while on the weekends. He’s my biggest supporter and he’s always at practice with me, and he goes to all of my tournaments too. He’s definitely involved a lot.

OFM: Where do you play when it’s not high school season?
EM: When I’m not with the high school team I play in the Florida State Golf Association and the AJGA—the American Junior Golf Association. That’s one of my favorite parts about the sport: getting to go all over the place for tournaments, competing with other girls and meeting people. It’s fun to compete in a different setting other than high school.

OFM: How far do you travel?
EM: For the Florida State Golf Association it’s all over the state. You go to places you probably wouldn’t go if it weren’t for golf. For the AJGA, I’ve played in a few in the state and other ones outside the state.

OFM: What are your favorites courses to play in Central Florida?
EM: My favorite one is probably Dubsdread; that’s where I practice all the time. The people who work there are so nice to me and they’re really supportive of me. The course is tight and it makes you hit different shots than you would on an open course. It also helps me get ready for tournaments because you have to hit the ball straight or else you can get into trouble.

OFM: What would be your dream course to play that you haven’t played yet?
EM: Oh, man. To play at Augusta would be amazing, because it’s such a cool course and not many people get to play there. If I got to play at Pebble Beach, that would be great too. I haven’t been there yet but my dad has.

OFM: Are there any players you look up to?
EM: On the girls side, Paula Creamer is one of my favorite players because she is such a positive person and she’s been a great player for the game. Lydia Ko has also done amazing things as a young player. On the men’s side, Phil Mickelson is one of my favorite players just because of his attitude and he’s been an amazing player.

OFM: What do you like to do when you’re not playing golf?
EM: Obviously, I just like hanging out with friends and getting away from school or golf or anything else that’s going on. I also really like going to the beach. It’s like a vacation that’s close to home and it’s a good break from everything.

OFM: Do you want to play golf in college?
EM: That’s definitely something I really want to do. I’m starting the recruiting process now. … I’m really excited about it. I’m open to going out of state but I’d like to stay in the Southeast. I don’t think I can go too far north, because the cold is not my favorite.

OFM: Have you always lived in Florida?
EM: Yes, I’ve always been here. The weather is great and I love being close to the beaches. Being close to so many golf courses is also great.

Lily Henne, Montverde Academy cross country
An impact runner for the high school team since she was in middle school, Henne placed fourth in the 2A state finals last year as a freshman with a time of 18:22.08. She won three events, including a district championship, and led her team to district and region crowns to go with a third-place finish at states.

OFM: How are you feeling heading into the season?
LH: I’m really excited for the season. I’m excited to see the progress that me and my team have made.

OFM: Obviously, last season was a huge success for you. Were you surprised at all by what you were able to accomplish?
LH: I was definitely surprised and excited. I progressed a lot over the season. It’s really cool to see a team from middle school start to get a little bit older in high school and become more mature runners. Our whole team had an awesome season.

OFM: Did running against high school kids as a seventh- and eighth-grader pay off for you last year?
LH: The experience definitely helped with racing strategy, knowing the courses and just being an experienced runner.

OFM: What are your goals for this year?
LH: I would like to build off what I did last year and finish higher at states. For our team, we want to keep improving and of course finish higher than we did last year. Every single team wants to win states, so we’re just going to do our best and see what happens.

OFM: Do you like the course where the state meet is held?
LH: I love the FSU course; it’s beautiful. It’s so challenging, but it’s a great course.

OFM: What is it like having a teammate like Kendyl Cardwell to push you?
LH: Me and Kendyl run together almost every day. It’s really awesome having her to practice with. We’re really good friends on and off the track. We like to have brunch together after we run. Sometimes we’ll cook at her house, but there are also a lot of restaurants in downtown Winter Garden that we like to go to. We love omelets and pancakes.

OFM: Do you feel like the two of you bring out the best in each other?
LH: Oh, yeah. We definitely push each other to be better runners.

OFM: How did your running career begin?
LH: I played soccer most of my life, and then in [gym class] there were track tryouts and we could get out of school for it. That seemed like a pretty good deal, so that’s how I got into track. I was in sixth grade at the time. I’ve been running for almost four years now.

OFM: Could you tell you had a knack for distance running right away, or did it take some time?
LH: It definitely took a while. I was pretty good, but I wasn’t running fast or winning anything. It was just a fun experience for me.

OFM: Is running a time for reflection for you?
LH: On easy days when I’m running with my teammates, we talk and bond with each other. But on the hard days, I like to focus. I think about what I’m trying to accomplish and what my goals are. That pushes me through tough workouts.

OFM: Do you have any routines that you follow before big races?
LH: Before all of our races, my team likes to play loud music on the bus and sing really bad karaoke. We listen to early 2000s music. We also wear crazy socks and we have a stuffed cow that we bring for luck.

OFM: Of course you still have a few years, but have you started thinking about college yet?
LH: I don’t have any specific schools in mind, but I definitely want to run in college. I want to take the next few years and figure out what my academic interests are, and then make a decision based on that.

OFM: Do you prefer cross country or track?
LH: I like the variety with cross country courses, so I think I like cross country better.

OFM: What do you like about going to school at Montverde Academy?
LH: I think the environment is really nice. Everyone is so driven and focused on academics and it’s a really nice place.

OFM: Do you have a favorite teacher?
LH: My favorite teacher is probably my track coach, Miss [Lori] Treweek, who also teaches AP Psychology.

OFM: What do you like about living in Florida?
LH: I’ve lived here my whole life. The weather is pretty nice and we have Disney.

OFM: What do you do for fun when you’re not training?
LH: I like spending time with my sisters; I have two, both younger. I also like hanging out with my friends. Most of them are also on the cross country team.

Stephen Dix Jr., Dr. Phillips football
A four-year starter at linebacker, this senior is coming off a dominant junior season in which he recorded 137 tackles, seven sacks and two fumble recoveries. He will continue his career at Florida State after choosing the Seminoles over Clemson, Florida and Ohio State, among others.

OFM: Has it hit you that this is your final season at Dr. Phillips?
SD: It’s an overwhelming feeling. I’m just trying to do what I can and go out with a bang. I remember my first day just trying to find my first class. My dad told me, ‘It might not seem like it now, but it’s going to fly by.’ Now we’re here.

OFM: The football program has a great tradition with a lot of success. Looking back, have you accomplished everything you wanted to so far?
SD: I’m not really focused on my accomplishments; I just want to help the team out, be a great teammate and win ballgames. Along the way, I’ve had some accomplishments of my own without even realizing it.

OFM: You got to play in a state final as a freshman and win a state title as a sophomore. Is getting back to that point your No. 1 goal as a senior?
SD: Yes. Once you’ve gotten a taste, it makes you want to go all the way again. I went my first year and now I have to finish like that my last year. That’s my main goal—to get another ring.

OFM: Have you always enjoyed playing on the defensive side of the ball?
SD: Growing up, I always played both sides of the ball. I think when I got to high school, defense was better for me. In middle school I had to get surgery on my ankles, so I didn’t think running back would be good for me anymore. My dad asked me, ‘Do you want to play running back or do you want to play football?’ I wanted to play football, and linebacker turned out to be the best decision for me. I was so good at it and it got a lot of people’s attention.

OFM: I know you went through a lot in middle school, having surgeries on both feet and being forced to give up football for a while. Did that make you appreciate the time you have on the field even more?
SD: Yeah, because there was a point in time when I couldn’t even walk. I had to hang my pads up for a year and a half and it was very depressing. Once I got back on the field, I knew I had to give it all I had. There was a time when I couldn’t be on my own two feet without pain, so when I get on the field I make it count. That’s very important to me.

OFM: You were a captain last year and now as a senior I’m sure a lot of your younger teammates will be looking up to you. Do you like being a leader?
SD: Yeah, I kind of stepped up as a leader last year. I realized that I can’t just sit back and expect other people to lead. People look up to me now, so I have to step up my game and hold people accountable. The way I looked up to the seniors before me and they held me accountable, I’m doing the same thing now for the young guys and the other seniors as well, because we all need to take responsibility.

OFM: Did you enjoy the recruiting process?
SD: It was fun and exciting looking at schools around the country. Once I started closing in, it got a little stressful as I was deciding on the best fit for me. When I decided on FSU, it made things a lot easier. I was hoping to sign early and then ball out for my senior season.

OFM: Was Florida State your dream school all along?
SD: Oh yeah, definitely. It was my dream to go there, but I was still going to make sure I put myself in the right position. It turned out that the best position was to go to my dream school, so I was really excited.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study in college?
SD: I’m thinking about going into sports psychology, because I’m trying to stay in the athletic area. Or I might go into business management and open up my own training facility.

OFM: Obviously, you’d like to play in the NFL too, right?
SD: Oh yeah, that’s been a lifelong dream. Every day, I have to go harder than the day before. It’s not going to be easy to get there; you’re talking about competing against the best athletes in the nation. So I have to do one more sprint each day, take one more rep each day and watch a few more minutes of film. I have to be dedicated and have faith that God is going to give me the strength to accomplish my dream.

OFM: Your cousin, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, is a veteran NFL safety. Does he give you any advice?
SD: Definitely. He hits me up and tells me things. … He tells me, ‘You can make it too; you just have to keep working hard.’ I really take that into consideration and go hard every day.

OFM: What are your hobbies away from football?
SD: When I’m not playing football I just hang around with my family. I also go out the last Sunday of every month and do community service with my coach. We feed the homeless. To go out and help the unfortunate, it makes me realize that not everybody has the same opportunities.

OFM: How do you get ready for a big game?
SD: It depends. For a home game, I usually take a nap. For an away game, I fall asleep on the bus, and when I wake up I put on my music and zone out. I don’t talk to anybody [leading up to the game]. I tell my friends or if I’m dating somebody at the time to just leave me alone so I can get focused. I cut off all of my social media on Wednesday; Snapchat, Instagram, I’m not on any of that for three days leading up to the game.

OFM: What’s your favorite part about growing up in Florida?
SD: It’s probably the heat; it’s sunny every day. I’ve made a lot of memories here, whether from football or just hanging out with friends. Florida is my home. I’m a Florida boy forever.

Jenessa Schwarz, Trinity Prep swimming
A senior, Schwarz was the 1A state runner-up in the 100 breaststroke last year and also took seventh in the 100 freestyle after helping lead Trinity to a region championship. She is committed to the University of Pennsylvania.

OFM: Has it sunk in yet that this is your final year of high school?
JS: It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m excited, but at the same time it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is really happening.’

OFM: What are your goals for your final season of high school swimming?
JS: I’ve been looking forward to senior year for a while just because [I get to be a] team leader. We don’t necessarily do that, but just being able to help my team achieve our goals is something I’m excited about. I personally want to continue to achieve my goals, such as a state championship in certain events.

OFM: Is the breaststroke your favorite event?
JS: Yes, I would have to say it’s my favorite. It’s seen as one of the slower strokes, compared to freestyle which is a lot easier for people to do. Breaststroke is just so powerful, and that’s what I love about it. I have a passion for swimming and I just love getting in the water and racing. When you have that feeling of power and just going for it, it’s amazing. I feel like breaststroke gives me that feeling, so I’ve always loved it.

OFM: After coming so close to a state championship last year, is that driving you right now?
JS: Yes, and I really hope I achieve it. I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. I wasn’t necessarily happy with my race last year [when I took second in the breaststroke]. I was definitely going for first and I wanted to go faster. I was working for it all season and sometimes the stars don’t align, but I felt like they aligned enough to get me second. That was fantastic, but of course I was mad I lost the race and I don’t lose very easily.

OFM: How did you first get into swimming?
JS: I started in sixth grade, which is a lot older than most people start the sport. I switched to Trinity Prep to go there for middle school and high school. I originally did ballet, but it wasn’t offered at Trinity Prep. … So I switched and gave swimming a try. As I continued to do it through the years, I started to love it more and more and my passion grew. Soon enough, I was on varsity and trying to give it everything I’ve got. I’ve loved every second of it since I joined.

OFM: Do you miss ballet?
JS: I do, but not as much as I would miss swimming if someone took swimming away from me.

OFM: You recently committed to Penn. Do you know what you want to study in college?
JS: I want to study medicine. I tell people I want to do pre-health and not pre-med because I don’t necessarily want to go to med school. I’m looking at nurse practitioner or PA [physician assistant]. I just know I want to do something in the medical field where I can help someone. I have two main passions: swimming and medicine. Just last week I was at a medical program at Harvard where we got to learn more about the medical field. It was really helpful and I loved it.

OFM: Have you always lived in Florida?
JS: Yes, I have. I’m actually the only person in my family who was born outside of Minnesota. My brother is 11 years older than me and he was born in Minnesota.

OFM: Do you ever visit Minnesota?
JS: Yes, and I love it. The weather is crazy there but I enjoy the different seasons. I’m basically used to hot and hotter. But I’m not complaining; I love Florida too.

OFM: What do you like about growing up in Central Florida?
JS: Florida is such a community. I’ve always been so close to the community around me and it’s a welcoming community. It’s just my home. When I first started looking at colleges, I didn’t want to leave, but after starting the process I realized that Florida has given me so much and I can move on now.

OFM: What are your hobbies aside from swimming?
JS: I love to draw and I love to take photos. I don’t really have much time to do those things just because I’m so busy. I have school and then I go to swim practice, then I come home and study. But when I get time, I also like to hang out with my teammates. They’re great people and I think we’re so connected through swimming. We’re like family.

Austin Cherichella, Lake Nona golf
Cherichella, a senior, is coming off a huge junior season in which he was crowned district champion, placed third at regions and tied for seventh in the 3A state championships. He also helped Lake Nona go 12-0 for its first undefeated season and win district and region titles.

OFM: Last year was such a successful one for you personally. Did you just feel like you were in a groove all season?
AC: When it comes to high school golf, I usually play a lot better. I like the team aspect and I have a lot of fun in high school golf. I just tried to play the best I could, and I happened to play very well during the postseason.

OFM: What are your goals for this season—is a state championship within reach?
AC: That’s definitely the goal. It’s my senior year and it would be awesome to win. Last year, we were leading after the first day, so I know we can do it. It would also be awesome to win the individual state championship, but I wouldn’t mind if it’s just the team. I’m going to try my hardest to win both.

OFM: Do you like tournament golf?
AC: I love it. It shows your lows and your highs. It’s great when you’re at your highs, but it’s also great when you can come back from your lows. Lately, I’ve been at a low point but I’m starting to come out of it. It’s awesome to see that.

OFM: Did you play a lot this summer?
AC: Every day. I was getting up at 6:30, 7 o’clock every morning to practice and play, then [competing in] tournament golf. This summer has been all golf. I just had my best finish in a tournament and the second round was my best round all summer; I shot 3-under. I haven’t been playing too great this summer, but I traveled all over the southeastern part of the country playing in tournaments and it’s been really fun.

OFM: What are your favorite courses to play in the area?
AC: I play at North Shore and I love it. It’s not very difficult, but if you don’t hit it right off the tee, it can get you. Eagle Creek is where we play for high school golf and it’s very wide open. You can go low out there; I just played there yesterday and shot 8-under. I live 10 minutes from Lake Nona Country Club and that’s one of the best golf courses in Orlando, if not the best. Those are the three courses I play the most.

OFM: What is your dream course to play?
AC: Augusta National. I’ve been there before but I’ve never played it, and that’s definitely a dream of mine. Maybe one day I’ll get to play The Masters [laughs].

OFM: Did you visit Augusta for The Masters?
AC: A buddy of mine was in the Drive, Chip & Putt national finals and got to go to Augusta. He hit a couple shots on the range, he hit chips on the chipping green and then he hit two or three putts on the 18th green. He brought me with him and it was the coolest experience of my life.

OFM: Which three players would you choose to play with in your ideal foursome?
AC: Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer—the three greats. That would be the coolest foursome ever. My role model is Arnold Palmer. He’s one of the greatest golfers and greatest people to ever live. He once said that he tried to sign an autograph for every person after his rounds, and for him that was a lot of people. Some people on tour now just sign a few autographs and leave. He would stay as long as he needed to and that’s awesome. … It was really sad to see him pass.

OFM: How did you start playing golf?
AC: I started when I was about 10 or 11. At first I played baseball, but my dad told me that I decided I wanted to try golf. I ended up quitting baseball and it was the best decision of my life.

OFM: Do you want to play in college?
AC: Yes, definitely. I’m looking at a couple of schools right now. I want great academics first; if golf doesn’t work out one day, I obviously want to have a good education. From a golf standpoint, I want a good coach who knows what he’s doing and a team that wants to win.

OFM: What do you like about going to school at Lake Nona?
AC: It’s great. It’s a big school and there’s a bunch of people there. I have plenty of friends and we have a good time. I’ve been so close with the guys on the team and met one of my best friends there. We’re like a happy family. I always look forward to high school golf and it’s going to be sad when it’s over. When I first started it wasn’t that great, but we had some other kids join and we just kept growing it and growing it. Last year was definitely our best year and this year I hope we top it.

OFM: When you do take a break from golf, what do you like to do?
AC: I like to hang out with my friends. Some of my friends have a boat, so we’ll go wakeboarding and stuff like that. But it’s mostly golf, golf, golf.

OFM: What’s your favorite golf movie?
AC: Happy Gilmore, definitely.

Lilly Gunter, Oviedo volleyball
A four-year varsity starter, this senior libero led Oviedo in digs last season on her way to all-conference and all-state honors. A Mississippi State recruit, Gunter has helped the Lions compile a 79-12 record with three district titles and a state championship in her career.

OFM: You’ve enjoyed a lot of success throughout your high school career, including last year’s state title. Are you excited to see how it finishes up this year?
LG: Yeah; I’m excited for my senior year and playing volleyball with my best friends. Of course it’s going to be hard to beat our season from last year, but I think with this new core group of girls, anything is possible. We just have to give maximum effort in the gym every day.

OFM: Does it feel like all of the other teams get extra motivated to play against Oviedo?
LG: Yes; we come into every game with a target on our backs. Every team is going to push their hardest against us, which is why we have to play harder than anyone, no matter if they’re challenging or not. We lost five seniors so we have to keep working hard.

OFM: Did you play a lot of volleyball this summer?
LG: I played club for Top Select and we finished around April after nationals. I’ve done private [workouts] with coaches and I went to a camp at Mississippi State, where I’m committed to play. That camp was awesome, and I’ve also done a lot of open gyms.

OFM: What did you like about the school and volleyball program at Mississippi State that led to you committing?
LG: What I really loved is that it’s a huge college town and the whole school comes together around the sports teams. Also, [Oviedo coach] Jen Darty’s sister [Julie] is the head coach. I love the way Jen has coached me for the last four years and Julie is similar in coaching style. Getting to play for her in college is going to be awesome.

OFM: Are you looking forward to moving to a different state?
LG: It’s pretty far; it’s about a 10-hour drive. I’m definitely going to miss Florida a lot, but I think starting a new chapter of my life is going to be cool because I’ve never lived anywhere else but Florida. I’m going to miss coaches and friends and family, but I’ll hopefully make lifelong friends at college.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study?
LG: I’m not 100 percent sure but I’m thinking about nutrition for my major. I’m also debating business, but for the last year I’ve been really into nutrition and health and I really enjoy learning about that.

OFM: What do you like about growing up in Florida?
LG: There’s always something to do here. I love the people here and I love the beaches; I always go on the weekends when I get a chance. I’m definitely a Florida girl.

OFM: What is your favorite beach spot?
LG: New Smyrna. I bring my volleyball every time I go and I like to play beach volleyball for fun, but I don’t play competitively.

OFM: When did you start playing volleyball?
LG: I started playing in third grade because both of my sisters played and I wanted to be like them. I started playing club when I was 11 or 12 and I was an outside hitter. I switched to libero when I was 15 and I’ve played that ever since. I love hitting but I’m too short for that. I love libero; my favorite thing is definitely the defensive part. It’s the best feeling when you get an amazing up or dig or save. Going all out for every ball is what I live for in volleyball.

OFM: What are your hobbies away from volleyball?
LG: I like to cook and find different recipes. [My go-to dish] are these energy balls; they’re like oatmeal and peanut butter and they’re great for before or after a workout. They’re really good.

Jalen Carter, Apopka football
A 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior defensive tackle, Carter is considered one of the top prospects in the country and was recruited by a host of major programs, ultimately picking Georgia over the likes of Alabama and Clemson. He hopes to lead Apopka to its fourth state title since 2001 this year before moving on to the SEC.

OFM: How are you feeling heading into your final season at Apopka?
JC: I’m feeling very confident. I think this is going to be my best year. I want to get the team bonded and make sure we all play together and for each other.

OFM: It sounds like you’re stepping into a leadership role. What qualities do you think are important for that job?
JC: Probably just talking a lot and constantly motivating everyone; telling them they’re playing good and keeping their heads up.

OFM: Is this transition from Rick Darlington to Jeff Rolson as head coach at Apopka going smoothly?
JC: Yes sir. We learned a lot from Coach D. We learned how to be a man and we’re keeping that with us. But we have a new coach and he’s great. I like that he’s a defensive guy and he knows everything about all of the positions: D-line, corners, safeties, everything.

OFM: What’s your favorite thing about playing defensive tackle?
JC: I like stopping the run, but rushing the passer is my favorite part.

OFM: When did you start playing football?
JC: I’ve been playing since third or fourth grade. Most of the people I’m playing with now, we grew up playing together. We know each other well. The reason I started is because someone on my dad’s side was in the NFL and I really looked up to him. My mom signed me up and it just went on from there.

OFM: Speaking of the NFL, several Apopka players—including Hall of Famer Warren Sapp—have played in the league. Have you thought about making it to the pros?
JC: Yes sir. I’ve talked to some of the people who have made it to the league, and they tell me I can really be something big if I keep working hard. I have to keep listening to my coaches and keep doing everything I’m doing.

OFM: What led to your decision to choose Georgia for college?
JC: On my first visit, Georgia felt comfortable and it felt like home. The coaches were good to me and told me how things were going to be. My goal is to start as a freshman, or at least get in the games a lot and show them what I can do.

OFM: Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has a defensive background. Are you excited to play for him and to play in the SEC?
JC: Yes sir. He’s a very cool guy and he interacts with all of the players. I think playing in the SEC is going to be awesome. It’s everything that I worked for.

OFM: Do you know what you want to study in college?
JC: No sir, not yet. I like math so I was talking to my mom about focusing on something with math.

OFM: What do you like about growing up in Florida?
JC: It’s cool that I know everybody around here, and every time I go somewhere I see someone I know. The weather is great too.

OFM: How do you get ready for a big game?
JC: I listen to fast rap music most of the time. I listen to Lil Wayne—old school stuff. I’m not too big on rappers and stuff.

This article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s September 2019 issue.