An Athletic History of ODA by Jacob Kaplan

An Athletic History of ODA

By Jacob Kaplan

Table of Contents History of Thor Athletics by the Decade Athletic Programs Athletic Facilities Present-Day Athletics The Future 4 10 25 57 74 77

History of Thor

The Beginning

In 1996, eighteen freshmen (the class of 1999, ODA High School’s inaugural class) chose Thor and Thunder to be their mascot and team name, respectively. They also chose blue and white as the school’s colors. Thunder was chosen to play off of the Middle School’s “Lightning” moniker, and Thor was chosen in light of that choice. Navy blue and white were chosen to make ODA unique, as no other schools in the area had those colors.

An early athletics logo

History of Thor

The original mascot design was created by David Buran (Upper School Head), Jim Kennon (Student Council Advisor), Sam Rega (Student Council Leader), and Kevin Sullivan (Student Council Treasurer), and Parent Council. The next (and current) iteration of Thor was introduced in Fall 2012.

The Mascot 2004-2012 2012-Present

History of Thor

The Thor Logo - Older Thors

Most of the original Thor logos were hand-drawn (digital designs were not nearly as widespread as they are today). Mr. Brewer drew the version on the right. Fun fact, the lightning bolts were created using white-out. 1996-2009

History of Thor

The Thor Logo - Stockton Thors

2009-Present

As ODA moved into the digital era, it took inspiration for its Thor logo from a now-defunct minor-league hockey team, the Stockton Thunder. The logo underwent a few changes between 2009 and 2017 before settling on the variation that we know and love today.

TheStocktonThunder™logo 2009 2011

2017-Presentlogos

History of Thor

Other Well-Known ODA Logos

The very infamous “copyrighted O”. Too close to the University of Oregon’s logo, ODA had to update their logo to avoid copyright infraction. Used often from 2010 to 2017.

An athletics specialty, this three-letter logo has shined in recent years.

The classic ODA seal, this logo dates back to before the new millennium.

A timeless and refined logo that has stood the test of time.

Athletics by the Decade

Pre-Uihlein

Throughout the first half of the 20th Century, Out-of-Door’s athletic tradition, in its infant stages, slowly grew. Students had physical education outside, riding horses around Siesta Key and swimming in the nearby Gulf of Mexico. The first sports on campus came in the form of pickup games of tennis, softball, and more. Out-of-Door’s founding was predicated on the idea of children getting to learn and play outside, two central tenets of athletics.

1924-1950s

Athletics by the Decade

Pre-Uihlein

1950s (Football)

With the da horizon for athletic co ODA’s first Football. Th players (bet and had one uniform; th sweaters, p two games a School. Ther disagreemen about wheth ODA won bo games or jus one of two, the point sta ODA won.

Athletics by the Decade

Pre-Uihlein

1960s-Spring 1995

Over the next three-and-a-half decades, Out-of-Door athletics continued to slowly grow. Without a permanent upper school (despite its shaky partnership with The Prew Academy), ODA was confined to expanding its lower and middle school athletic offerings. By the time ODA began its eastward expansion in the mid-1990s, it had a thriving middle school athletic program, featuring successful soccer, volleyball, and basketball teams (including multiples of each team, “Green” and “White” teams). At the time, ODA’s athletic teams were the Ospreys. “Lightning” was another commonly-used middle school moniker.

Athletics by the Decade

1990s: The Beginning Fall 1995-Spring 1996

To begin the upper school, eighteen freshmen (the class of 1999) joined the lower and middle schools at the Siesta Key Campus for the 1995-1996 school year (before moving to the brand-new Uihlein campus for the 1996-1997 school year). It was that school year that ODA’s Upper School Athletics Program began. Four teams played mostly JV schedules: volleyball, boys and girls basketball, and boys soccer. In addition, that winter, ODA’s varsity athletics program began with one woman: Melodie Melvin. A talented swimmer, Melodie made up ODA’s first varsity team, a one-woman swim team. She was good too, as she qualified for states (but was ineligible because, at the time, ODA only had freshmen).

Athletics by the Decade

1990s: The Beginning Fall 1996-Spring 1997

With the move of the Class of 1999 to the Uihlein Campus and the addition of the Class of 2000, ODA now had the facilities, talent, and just pure student body population necessary to field varsity teams. And so, throughout the 1996-1997 school year, ODA had nine teams over eight sports (baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis, and volleyball). The student body was a mere 45 students, with 33 of those students playing a sport at school. Having that small of a pool of athletes meant that our athletes had to be versatile. Most played on multiple teams, some in the same season. Some teams, like swimming and cross country, were very small (one and two athletes, respectively). Other teams, like baseball, were co-ed out

Athletics by

the

Decade 1990s: The Beginning Fall 1996-Spring 1997

of necessity (the starting second baseman for the first few years of ODA baseball was a female softball player). When injuries created roster openings, many stepped up to fill the gap, even without prior experience. But none of that stopped them from competing. Teams began to rack up their first wins and even when there wasn’t on-field success, camaraderie, development, and school spirit blossomed. In addition the Uihlein Campus’ first athletic baseba softball soccer f and, lat on, the Thunde dome.

The first volleyball and boys basketball teams

Athletics by the Decade

1990s: The Beginning Fall 1997-Fall 1999

Over the next few years, Out-of-Door’s student body and athletic programs continued to expand. Winter cheerleading was added, with plans for girls soccer and wrestling. A boys volleyball team was formed but had to play a club schedule due to a lack of local competition. In addition, an on-campus fencing club was formed (and ran for three years) In 1998 Ashley Palmer becam in school histo (cross country The following Lara Ahmes a Gretchen Hay won ODA’s fir state title (in doubles te

An early cross country team

Athletics by the Decade 2000s:

Catching Fire 2000-2004

With the dawn of the new millennium, team sports at ODA started seeing more success. Volleyball enjoyed a great 2000 season and in 2001 softball and track and field were added to the school’s athletic offerings. Softball was wildly successful in its inaugural year, winning the district title. In addition, volleyball and boys tennis had district title wins that year. Other teams had success in 2002-2004, including two girls tennis regional champions (‘02/’03) and a boys basketball district championship win. A clay infield and dugouts were added to the softball field and both the baseball softball field, respectively, while girls golf and girls soccer had their first seasons in 2003.

Athletics by the Decade

2000s: Catching Fire 2005-2009

The second half of the 2000s was a time of change for ODA athletics. Football and fall cheerleading were added for fall 2006, shifting boys and girls soccer to the winter season. ODA athletics were thriving. Football, basketball, and boys golf in particular saw their first tastes of success.

In 2009, the Harlem Wizards visited ODA and put on a show for a packed Thunderdome against a team of students and teachers. The football team had a breakout season, and, led by its two allstate selections, Jamie Onufrak and AJ Strong, won the region. Caroline Dailey began her three-peat of girls singles tennis state championships (2009-2011, plus a doubles win in 2010). A new program was also born in 2009: sailing. Furthermore,

Athletics by the Decade

2000s: Catching Fire

2009-2010

the year 2009 brought big changes for the on-campus athletic facilities. Ground was broken on a brand-new football field (Thunder Stadium) and eight tennis courts (the Tennis Complex at Malisoff Tennis Center). Thunder Stadium was built where the old baseball and softball fields once sat. The softball field was relocated next to Thunder Stadium, while a new baseball field, now known as Taylor Emmons Field, was built next to the Malisoff Tennis Center. Additionally, in August 2010, the Gelbman Family Wellness Center was added to the back of the Thunderdome. The old weight room was retrofitted to become the Team Room.

Athletics by the Decade

2000s: Catching Fire 2009-2010

Abird’seyeviewofthenewfacilitiesunder construction ThecompletedThunderStadiumand softballfield AHarlemWizarddunking(top),the crowdfortheHarlemWizardsgameinthe Thunderdome ThenewTaylorEmmonsFieldandMalisoffTennis Center TheGelbmanFamilyWellnessCenterribboncutting(left)andindoorview(right)

Athletics by the Decade 2010s:

Growth 2011-2014

ODA’s athletic facilities received a couple more improvements between 2011 and 2014 including the Dietrich Family Baseball Complex (a press box, locker room, and more added in 2011), the Grain Family Locker Room (added on the Thunderdome in 2013), scoreboards in the Thunderdome (2014), and the outdoor pavilion (adjacent to the Thunderdome, built in 2014). Boys and girls lacrosse were added in 2011, Mara Falahee hit the 1,000 point milestone in girls basketball, and Bryan Kirshe was selected to be an All-American in football in both 2012 and 2013. Also in 2013, winter cheerleading had its last season, girls tennis won a regional championship, and ODA formed a club polo team. Additionally, ODA won the 2013-2014 FHSAA/Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award.

Athletics by the Decade 2010s:

Growth 2015-2019

In the second half of the decade, some things in athletics continued to shift. The old soccer fields, used in the baseball offseason (since they also happened to be most of the baseball field’s outfield), were finally retired from use and a permanent fence was installed. Saraiah Walkes began her dominance in track and field (four state titles between 2017 and 2018). Around the same time, the softball and sailing teams played their final season and the softball field was converted into a baseball practice field. More practice fields, for soccer, lacrosse, and football this time, opened south of the main part of campus. In 2018, the boys tennis team made history by taking home Out-of-Door’s first team state title. In January 2019, the Fox Fieldhouse opened its doors for the first time.

Athletics by the Decade

2020s: A New Horizon

2020-Present

The changes did not stop with the turn of the decade. Covid-19 interrupted athletics but they returned in full force. Baseball began its wildly successful run, going 17-3 in 2021 and winning the state championship, along with a state final-four appearance the following spring. The boys swim team also won their region in 2021 and 2022. In terms of facilities, Thunder Trail was opened in 2022 and the baseball field received a new outfield wall (2022) and scoreboard (2024). Some of ODA’s athletic programs transitioned into competition within the SSAA (formerly the SSAC). Football, boys soccer, and girls soccer all saw SSAA championship wins between 2023 and 2024. Finally, ODA’s newest team, Esports, played its first season in 2023.

Athletic Programs

Baseball - Spotlight

Basic Facts

First year: Spring 1997

Facilities: Old Baseball Field (1997-2009), Taylor Emmons Memorial Baseball Field at Dietrich Family Baseball Complex (2010-Present)

Best regular season record: 17-3 (2021)

Best playoff result: FHSAA State Championship 2021

Notable moments/seasons/people: 2021 State Championship, Spring 2022 Regional Championship, Tony Gurry 2HRs in the same inning (Spring 2008 vs. Scarbourgh HS), Taylor Emmons, Desmond Lindsay (drafted out of HS by the New York Mets, Round 2, Overall Pick 53; AllState 2013, 2015; All-American 2013), Austin Brinling (committed to play at Florida), Tyler Dietrich (All-State 2012, 2013; All-American 2013), Austin Hoppe (All-State 2013, 2015), Parke Phillips (All-State 2015)

Athletic Programs

Baseball - Spotlight

Early Years (1997-2010)

The Out-of-Door Academy Baseball Program was born simultaneously with the Uihlein Campus. The original baseball field was built with the earliest parts of campus. Home plate was roughly where Thunder Stadium’s 50-yard-line is today. The program was co-ed for the first few years (the school didn’t yet have a softball program, and so the starting second baseman for those first few years was a girl). Charlie Balliette, with Coach Tim Shafer’s guidance, stole home for the team’s first win ever two years later in April 1999, and things only improved from there. Taylor Emmons played his senior season in Spring 2009, finishing up a very successful three-year career at Out-of-Door. A year later in December of 2010, Taylor’s life was tragically cut short. In the wake of his passing, the Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund was created, affording the opportunity to attend Out-of-Door to deserving students who may not have otherwise had the opportunity. Additionally, ODA’s brand-new baseball field was dedicated to Taylor, becoming the Taylor Emmons Memorial Baseball Field.

Athletic Programs

Baseball - Spotlight Building Years (2010-2019)

2010 graduate Sean Fleeman became the program’s first athlete to play college baseball (Limestone College). Coach Billy Dietrich took over at some point in the late 2000s/early 2010s and the team had some successful seasons, winning 16+ games three years in a row (2011-2013). The Taylor Emmons Scholarship Fund’s first-ever scholarship recipient was Desmond Lindsay. He would go on to have an unbelievably successful career with ODA Baseball and committed to play baseball at North Carolina before being drafted by the New York Mets in 2015 (straight from ODA, 2nd round, 53rd overall). In Spring 2014, Coach Tim Orlosky took over as the team’s head coach. Orlosky had a very strong seven-year run as head coach, creating a winning environment and many winning records. Out-of-Door won the 2017 Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic Tournament, a tournament hosted at ODA for much of the 2010s. The tradition has morphed into a Taylor Emmons Memorial Classic Game hosted by ODA each year (followed by a home-run derby) to honor Taylor’s memory.

Athletic Programs

Baseball - Spotlight Budding Years (2019-2020)

Another very talented Taylor Emmons Scholarship recipient was Austin Brinling, a 2019 graduate who committed to play baseball at Florida after a very successful ODA Baseball career. In 2019, the team lost a very close and tense regional semi-final game against Canterbury School (Fort Myers), a one-run loss in nine innings. A heartbreaking loss for sure, but the Thunder had the momentum. This playoff result was the furthest the team had ever gone up to that point, and although they lost Brinling, things were looking up. And then two things happened: Covid-19 shut down the world in the middle of the 2020 season (they were 4-0 at that point) and Coach Orlosky stepped down as head coach.

Athletic Programs

Baseball - Spotlight Victory (2021)

Mike Mathews, already a long-time assistant coach at ODA under Orlosky, was chosen to replace him. Some combination of the program and culture that Orlosky built and the new leadership and vision that Mathews brought just clicked. The team went 17-3 in the 2021 regular season, with two narrow losses against Braden River and Island Coast, and another tense loss (albeit less narrow) against Canterbury, this time at home. And suddenly, it was playoff time. The team got two commanding wins over St. Stephens Episcopal School and Bradenton Christian School to win the district title, and then a nice 4-1 victory over a tough Evangelical Christian School to take the regional quarterfinals. Suddenly, it seemed like 2019 all over again. The Thunder would face Canterbury, at Canterbury, in the regional semifinal. This time, however, the Thunder prevailed 107 after an epic seventh-inning comeback featuring a go-ahead grand slam from Logan Tribble and Tanner Fairchild’s second home run of the game. ODA then beat Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School at home to win the regional championship.

Athletic Programs

Baseball - Spotlight Victory (2021)

The baseball team was now on a new horizon: state competition. The Thunder played the state semi-final on May 19th, bunting their way to a win in a grueling matchup against Trinity Christian. The next day, ODA played in their first-ever state championship game against St. John’s Country Day School (the top-ranked Florida 2A baseball team, 8th overall). And once again, the Thunder prevailed thanks to great pitching performances by Josh Cone and Tyler Colditz and clutch home runs from Aiden Marino and Nolan Lewellen (plus an RBI double from freshman Nolan Naese). It was all over. ODA Baseball had won the FHSAA 2A State Championship.

Athletic Programs

Baseball - Spotlight

Current-Day (2022-Present)

The Thunder followed up their championshipwinning season with another wildly successful season in 2022. The team went 15-8 in the regular season and once again went on a deep playoff run, once again beating Canterbury in the regional semifinal, this time at home in walk-off fashion. ODA won the regional championship on a walk-off as well, but fell in the state semi-final to a very strong North Florida Christian School team. 2023 brought another strong regular season, going 17-7. However, Canterbury finally got the better of ODA in the regional semi-final, in a crushing loss. The 2024 Thunder have had an up-and-down year so far but look to finish the regular season strong with an eye toward a deep playoff run.

Programs

Basketball (Boys)

First year: Winter 1995/1996 (JV), Winter 1996/1997 (V)

Facilities: Petrik Thunderdome (1996-Present), outdoor pavilion next to Thunderdome (2014Present), Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club (rented, early 2000s), Arlington Park (rented, late 2000s), Longwood Park (rented, 2016-2018), Fox

Fieldhouse (2019-Present)

Best regular season record: 19-5 (Winter 2016/2017)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2004

Notable moments/seasons/people: 2009 Harlem Wizards visit ODA, 2021 Chick-fil-A Classic Champions, David score in March

Madness, walked on at Vanderbilt), Chase Maasdorp (walked on at Auburn), Myles Gilbert, Marcus Liberty Athletic

Athletic Programs

Basketball (Girls)

First year: Winter 1995/1996 (JV), Winter 1996/1997 (V)

Best regular season record: 12-5 (Winter 2014/2015)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2008 and 2015

Notable moments/seasons/people: 2009 Harlem Wizards visit ODA, Mara Falahee reaches 1,000 points in 2012, Marcus Liberty

Athletic Programs

Cheerleading (Fall)

First year: Fall 2006

Facilities: Petrik Thunderdome (2006-Present), Thunder Stadium (2010-Present), Fox Fieldhouse (2019-Present)

Notable moments/seasons/people: Brianna Carney (All-American 2016, 2017), Haley Carney (All-American 2016, 2017), Sofia Delgado (AllAmerican 2017), Grace Dunn (All-American 2018), Kat Gaukhman (All-American 2018), Ashley Hamill (All-American 2018), Mia Hamill (AllAmerican 2018)

Athletic Programs

Cheerleading (Winter)

First year: Winter 1998/1999

Final year: Winter 2012/2013

Facilities: Petrik Thunderdome (1996-2013)

Notable moments/seasons/people: Sarah

Nimptsch and Ashley Preininger (performed in 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade)

Athletic Programs

Cross Country (Boys)

First year: Fall 1996

Facilities: Deer Dr./University Parkway, Celery Fields, Ringling Causeway, Rothenbach Park, Thunder Trail (2022-Present)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2021, 2022, 2023

Notable moments/seasons/people: First boys cross country runner was Lam Andrews, first athletes to go to states in school history (1998, Danielle Pitts, Lam Andrews, John Neil, and Ashley Palmer), Tristan McWilliam

Athletic Programs

Cross Country (Girls)

First year: Fall 1996

Facilities: Deer Dr./University Parkway, Celery Fields, Ringling Causeway, Rothenbach Park, Thunder Trail (2022-Present)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2017, 2018, 2020

Notable moments/seasons/people: First girls

cross country runner was Ashley Palmer, first allstate selection in school history (1998, Ashley Palmer), first athletes to go to states in school history (1998, Danielle Pitts, Lam Andrews, John Neil, and Ashley Palmer)

Athletic Programs

Football

First year: Fall 2006

Facilities: Old Soccer Fields (2006-2015), Twin Lakes Park (2006-2009), Thunder Stadium (2010-Present), Practice Fields (2017-Present)

Best regular season record: 8-1 (2009), 8-0 (2022)

Best playoff result: SSAA Championship 2023, FHSAA Regional Championship 2009

Notable moments/seasons/people: Jamie Onufrak (first football scholarship recipient (UAB 2010, All-State 2009), A.J. Strong (All-State 2009), Chris Ragone (All-State 2010), Bryan Kirshe (All-State 2012, 2013; All-American 2012, 2013), Sean Kirshe (All-State 2012), Evan Wilson (All-State 2012), Chris Hayes (important in starting the program), Brett Timmons (first coach), Robert Hollway

Athletic Programs

Golf (Boys)

First year: Fall 1996

Facilities: Varies by season, some courses used include: Meadows Country Club (recent), Laurel Oak Country Club (recent), Legacy Golf Club (recent, 1996-2015), Concession Golf Club (recent, 1996-2015), Lakewood National Golf Club (recent), Lakewood Ranch Country Club (1996-2015), Sunrise Golf Course (2002, possibly MS only), Rosedale Golf & Country Club (20182019), Esplanade Golf and Country Club at ers-Up

Balit

Athletic Programs

Golf (Girls)

First year: Spring 2002 (JV), Spring 2003 (V)

Best regular season record: 10-0 (2023)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2022 and 2023

Notable moments/seasons/people: Madeline Crosby (2023 District Champion, All-Area)

Athletic Programs

Lacrosse (Boys)

First year: Spring 2011

Facilities: Old Soccer Fields (2011-2015), Thunder Stadium (2011-Present), Practice Fields (2017Present)

Best regular season record: 11-3 (2019)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Runners-Up

2014, 2015, 2016, 2019

Notable moments/seasons/people: beat Cardinal Mooney CHS for the first time in boys lacrosse history on February 17, 2016

Athletic Programs

Lacrosse (Girls)

First year: Spring 2011

Facilities: Old Soccer Fields (2011-2015), Thunder Stadium (2011-Present), Practice Fields (2017Present)

Best regular season record: 12-1 (2022)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship

2014, 2015, 2019, and 2022

Notable moments/seasons/people: Carolyn Keber (coach, began the ODA girls lacrosse program as a club sport in 2008), Dani Taraska (committed to play lacrosse at Berry College)

Athletic Programs

Sailing

First year: Spring 2009

Final year: Spring 2018

Facilities: Sarasota Sailing Squadron

Notable moments/seasons/people: Paul Lebras (first coach), Chelsea Firth (founding member)

Athletic Programs Soccer (Boys)

First year: Fall 1995 (JV), Fall 1996 (V)

Facilities: Old Soccer Fields (1996-2015), Thunder Stadium (2010-Present), Practice Fields (2017Present), Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch (2017-2020)

Best regular season record: 11-1-4 (2009/2010)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2010 and 2020, SSAA Championship 2024

Notable moments/seasons/people: became a winter sport in for the Winter 2006/2007 season, David Hawkes, Jimmy Kuebler (All-State 2014/2015), Owen Han (All-State 2015/2016), Filip Svoboda (All-State 2015/2016, 2018/2019), Tyler Wenger (All-State 2015/2016)

Athletic Programs

Soccer (Girls)

First year: Fall 2003

Facilities: Old Soccer Fields (2003-2015), Thunder Stadium (2010-Present), Practice Fields (2017Present), Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch (2017-2020)

Best regular season record: 18-1 (2016/2017), 120-1 (2023)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, SSAA Championship 2023, 2024

Notable moments/seasons/people: became a winter sport in for the Winter 2006/2007 season, David Hawkes

Athletic Programs

Softball

First year: Spring 2001

Final year: Spring 2018

Facilities: Old Softball Field (2001-2009), Softball Field (2010-2018)

Best regular season record: 3-3 (2009)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship

2001

Notable moments/seasons/people: 2001 regional runners-up finish, Jordan Kean three no-hitters, Jordan Kean first ODA D1 athletic scholarship recipient (Nebraska)

Athletic Programs

Swimming (Boys)

First year: Fall 1996

Facilities: Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club (1996early 2000s), Serendipity Country Club (early 2000s-2018), Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota [Fruitville] (2018-Present)

Best playoff result: FHSAA Regional Championship 2021 and 2022

Notable moments/seasons/people: Martin Baffico (Regional Champion 2015, 2016, 2017), Sarsen Whatmore (All-American 2018), Felipe Baffico (Regional Champion 2020, 2021), Daniel Music (one-man 1996 swim team, got second place for ODA swim team’s first points)

Athletic Programs

Swimming (Girls)

First year: Winter 1995/1996

Facilities: Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club (1995early 2000s), Serendipity Country Club (early 2000s-2018), Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota [Fruitville] (2018-Present)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2023

Notable moments/seasons/people: Melodie Melvin (one-woman 1995/1996 swim team, first varsity athlete in ODA history, qualified for states as a freshman but was ineligible because ODA only had up to 9th grade at the time)

Athletic Programs Tennis (Boys)

First year: Spring 1997

Facilities: Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club, Serendipity Tennis Club, Longwood Athletic Club, Tennis Complex at Malisoff Tennis Center (2010Present)

Best regular season record: 11-4 (2023)

Best playoff result: FHSAA State Championship

2018

Notable moments/seasons/people: 2001 FHSAA District Championship (one of, if not the first district championship in ODA history), Robert Zhang (committed to play tennis at the University of Chicago), Sekou Bangoura (won the 2010 Kalamazoo Boys’ Junior National Tennis Championship, played tennis at UF, became a professional tennis player), 2018 FHSAA State Championship

Athletic Programs

Tennis (Girls)

First year: Spring 1997

Facilities: Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club, Serendipity Tennis Club, Longwood Athletic Club, Tennis Complex at Malisoff Tennis Center (2010Present)

Best regular season record: 8-0 (2007)

Best playoff result: FHSAA Regional Championship 2002, 2003, 2013

Notable moments/seasons/people: Lara Ahmes & Gretchen Haynor 1999 Doubles State Champions (first state championship in ODA history), Caroline Dailey 2009, 2010, 2011 Singles State Champion (2010, 2013 Regional Champion), Caroline Dailey & Michelle Ramos 2010 Doubles State Champions (2010 Regional Champions), Cheyenne Kerekes 2013 Singles Regional Champion, Alana Sherman 2013 Singles Regional Champion, Caroline Dailey & Maria Ross 2013 Doubles Regional Champions, Morgan Woods & Alana Sherman 2013 Doubles Regional Champions, Maria Ross 2014 Singles State Champion (2013, 2014 Regional Champion), Mary Ann Rompf 2014 Regional Champion, Maria Ross & Mary Ann Rompf 2014 Doubles State 52

Athletic Programs

Tennis (Girls) - Continued

Champions (2014 Regional Champions), M’Balia

. Bangoura 2015 Singles State Champion, M’Balia

. Bangoura & Sydney Sforzo 2016 Doubles State

. Champions

Athletic Programs

Track and Field (Boys)

First year: Spring 2001

Facilities: Shell Road, the Quad, the Lake, and more around campus (2001-2010), Old Soccer Fields (2001-2010), Thunder Stadium (2010Present)

Notable moments/seasons/people: Tristan McWilliam 1600m 2022 State Champion

Athletic Programs

Track and Field (Girls)

First year: Spring 2001

Facilities: Shell Road, the Quad, the Lake, and more around campus (2001-2010), Old Soccer Fields (2001-2010), Thunder Stadium (2010Present)

Notable moments/seasons/people: Saraiah Walkes 100m, 200m, 400m 2017 State Champion, 100m 2018 State Champion, Ashtin Frank Pole Vault 2013 Regional Champion, Catherine Williams Triple Jump 2013 Regional Champion

Athletic Programs

Volleyball

First year: Fall 1995 (JV), Fall 1996 (V)

Facilities: Arlington Park, Petrik Thunderdome (1996-Present), Fox Fieldhouse (2019-Present)

Best regular season record: 19-6 (2000)

Best playoff result: FHSAA District Championship 2001, 2007, 2013, 2017, 2018

Notable moments/seasons/people: 2001 District Championship may have been first ODA team sport district title

Athletic Facilities

Esports Room

Opened: August 2020

Years of usage: 2020-Present

Location: bottom floor of the middle school STEM Center, next to the easternmost exit doorway

Used by: Esports

Athletic Facilities

Fox Fieldhouse

Opened: January 2019

Years of usage: 2019-Present

Location: cul de sac of “Shell Road” (the road to Taylor Emmons Memorial Field and Malisoff Tennis Center)

Used by: boys and girls basketball, volleyball, fall cheerleading

Athletic Facilities

Gelbman Family Wellness Center

Opened: August 2010 (groundbreaking in April 2010)

Years of usage: 2010-Present

Location: back (west-side) of the Petrik

Thunderdome

Used by: most sports (for strength and conditioning training)

Athletic Facilities

Old Baseball and Softball Fields

Opened: 1996

Years of usage: 1996-2009

Location: where Thunder Stadium is today

Used by: baseball, softball

Major renovations/additions: dugouts built (2001), softball field made fully clay (2001), baseball field basepaths made clay (2001) - both clay additions done by Ms. Stone, students, and parents, portable fencing used

Athletic Facilities

Old Soccer Fields/Football

Practice Fields

Opened: 1996

Years of usage: 1996-2009

Location: in the outfield of the old baseball and softball fields

Used by: boys and girls soccer, football

Athletic Facilities

Old Soccer Fields/Football

Practice Fields (Early 2010s)

Opened: 2010

Years of usage: 2010-2016

Location: where Taylor Emmons Memorial Field is today

Used by: boys and girls soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, football

Athletic Facilities

Outdoor Pavilion

Opened: 2014

Years of usage: 2014-Present

Location: south of the Petrik Thunderdome

Used by: boys and girls basketball, fall cheerleading

Major renovations/additions: resurfaced (2024)

Athletic Facilities

Petrik Thunderdome

Opened: December 1996

Years of usage: 1996-Present

Location: south of the Arts Center, next to the northwestern corner of the Quad

Used by: boys and girls basketball, volleyball, fall and winter cheerleading,

Major renovations/additions: Team Room

retrofitted from weight room to current usage (2010), Gelbman Family Wellness Center added (August 2010) Grain Family Locker Room added (October 2013), scoreboards added (2014), gym and locker room floors redone (2023)

Athletic Facilities Practice Fields

Opened: November 2017

Years of usage: 2017-Present

Location: south of the main part of campus, the second right past the main campus entrance on Deer Dr.

Used by: football, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls soccer

Athletic Facilities

Softball Field/Baseball Practice Field

Opened: 2010

Years of usage: 2010-Present

Location: next to Thunder Stadium (just north)

Used by: baseball

Major renovations/additions: converted into an infield-only baseball field (~2017)

Athletic Facilities

Taylor Emmons Memorial Baseball Field at Dietrich Family Baseball Complex

Opened: 2010 (groundbreaking in April 2009)

Years of usage: 2010-Present

Location: next to the Malisoff Tennis Center and the Fox Fieldhouse

Used by: baseball

Major renovations/additions: Dietrich Family Baseball Complex added (2011), permanent outfield fence added (~2016), outfield fence taken down and outfield wall added (2022), old scoreboard taken down and new scoreboard added (2024)

Athletic Facilities

Tennis Complex at Malisoff Tennis Center

Opened: January 2010 (groundbreaking in April 2009)

Years of usage: 2010-Present

Location: next to Taylor Emmons Memorial Field, behind the Fox Fieldhouse

Used by: boys and girls tennis

Major renovations/additions: resurfaced (2024)

Athletic Facilities

Thunder Stadium

Opened: September 2010

Years of usage: 2010-Present

Location: next to the softball field/practice baseball field, on the west side of Deer Dr.

Used by: football, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls lacrosse, boys and girls track and field, fall cheerleading

Major renovations/additions: track resurfaced (2023, more), Kittle Concession Stand dedicated (2011)

Athletic Facilities

Thunder Trail

Opened: 2022

Years of usage: 2022-Present

Location: snakes its way around much of campus

Used by: boys and girls cross country

Athletic Facilities

Rented Facilities

Basketball courts: Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club, Longwood Park (2016-2018), Arlington Park

Football fields: Twin Lakes Park (2006-2009)

Golf courses: Lakewood Ranch Country Club (1996-2015), Legacy Golf Club (1996-2015, recent), Concession Golf Club (1996-2015, recent), Sunrise Golf Course (~2002, possibly middle school-only), Esplanade Golf and Country Club at Lakewood Ranch (2012-2017), Rosedale Golf and Country Club (2018-2019), Meadows

Country Club (recent), Laurel Oak Country Club (recent), Lakewood National Golf Club (recent)

Pools: Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club (1996-early 2000s), Serendipity Country Club (early 2000s2018), Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota - Fruitville (2018-Present)

Soccer fields: Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch (2017-2020)

Tennis courts: Lakewood Ranch Athletic Club, Serendipity Tennis Club, Longwood Athletic Club

Volleyball courts: Arlington Park

Athletic Facilities

Off-Campus Facilities

Cross Country: University Parkway/Deer Drive (2022-2024), Celery Fields (2022-2024), Ringling Causeway (2022-2024), Rothenbach Park (2022-2024)

Sailing: Sarasota Sailing Squadron

Present-Day Athletics

The Parra Era

In 2022, as part of a large-scale athletic department overhaul, Andres Parra was hired as ODA’s newest athletic director. With him, Amanda Walters and Robert Hollway were brought in as assistant athletic directors (with Hollway doubling as the new head football coach as well). Additionally, Chris Cecere was brought in as the new strength and conditioning coach, and Gary Smith was hired to be ODA’s first-ever full-time, directly-hired athletic trainer. Tim Haverstick, the only holdover, became fully part of athletics. In their tenure so far, Parra and crew have completely revamped ODA athletics. From physical changes (lots of rebranding, equipment, uniforms, and more) to providing new resources for team success (PitchCom, new hurdles, etc.) to joining new conferences (MAC2 Conference for middle school, SSAA for football, boys and girls soccer, and possibly more in the future), the Parra administration has taken creative but effective measures to transform Out-of-Door athletics for the better. Some of Parra’s favorite moments and developments thus far have been: football’s

Present-Day Athletics

The Parra Era

undefeated regular season, the student section at a football game storming the field after a key win, baseball’s Emmons Night, the reboot of the girls basketball team after a year of dormancy, seeing the weight room filled with athletes at 5-6pm as he leaves each day, and, most of all, having support in the student section, much amplified from when he first started at Out-of-Door.

The Future

What’s Next for Athletics at Out-of-Door?

Parra believes that it’s an exciting time for ODA, thanks to the combination of new leadership (referring to the new head of school, Debra Otey), a strategic plan, and people who really believe in athletics and the purpose of athletics. In terms of facilities, Parra says that there’s a lot that can be changed, much of it being the way that we can maximize our use of what we already have. The new master plan already includes the construction of a new primary gym, and an on-campus pool is something else that’s being considered. Some athletic programs not currently offered, but that are being considered for the future include weightlifting, beach volleyball, and softball. Nutrition and sports psychology are two avenues that Parra thinks could be improved to elevate overall athletic performance. Finally, for the future, Parra wants to see a large-scale change in the culture of athletics at ODA. There needs to be an expectation of success, rather than a shock when a program wins. In short, plan to win. It’s respect for your teammates and your school. It’s a love for ODA athletics.