As the school year wraps up, we can look back at what was a very successful athletic season for Olympic Heights. Not only did the school achieve multiple district titles by many different sports, the Lions also had the fourth best cumulative GPA in the whole state, and to finish off the year the best way possible, five OH graduates are moving on and continuing their athletic career at the college level.

“Less than 7 percent of student-athletes get a chance to play at the college level,” OH athletic director Mr. Chris Holly explained at the letter of intent signing ceremony. “We here at Olympic Heights are very proud of our athletes and wish them the best of luck as they continue their careers at the next level.” 

The signing ceremony, held on April 27, 2022, saw five OH student/athletes, from three different sports, commit to continue their playing career at their selected schools. Those athletes are: softball player Madilyn Wicihowski, football linebacker Will Eltringham, and three basketball guards, Brady Thomas, Kyle Dzarnowski, and Caleb Mackrey.

Wicihowski signed to play softball at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, one of the best JUCO programs in the nation, and is looking to make an instant impact. Wicihowski told The Torch: “I think the college level versus high school level is going to be very different, but my biggest goal is to be a consistent starter and be a very good leader.”

“She is always the first to arrive at practice and last to leave, and always working at her craft,” OH head softball coach David Scharf said about Wicihowski. “You often see her by herself at the batting cages making small adjustments and trying to become the best player that she can.”

Eltringham will be continuing his football career at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne, Mass., a Division III program. “I just felt it was the best place for me academically. They have a really nice marine bio program which is what I want to study, and the coaching staff there is very friendly and showed they really wanted me there and thought I could play there.” Entringham commented. “I have a very good work ethic, so I believe when I get to the college level and get to prepare with college coaches, I will be able to make an impact early on and hopefully earn my spot starting.”

“If you know Will you know what type of player he is,” OH head football coach Brandon Knight said of Eltringham. “He is what I would define as a coaching dream.” 

This year’s Lions basketball program has three players moving on to the next level. First to put their commitment on paper was Brady Thomas, 6’1’’ guard who is moving on to JUCO program Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Minn.

“Olympic Heights had all the impact on the player I am today,” Thomas told The Torch. “I just started playing basketball competitively in eighth grade. I even messed up my sophomore year, and I wasn’t able to play, so Coach Mackrey brought me back from like a dark place, I would say, and helped me become the player I am today.”

Following Thomas, was 6’2’’ guard Kyle Dzarnowski, who signed his commitment to Division III program, New England College, in Henniker, N.H.. “[Dzarnowski] was selected to the Best of Palm Beach All-Star game, and selected to the Rising Stars Palm Beach County All-Star game as well,” highlighted OH basketball head coach Keith Mackrey in his signing day remarks.

“My biggest goal is to go professional for basketball, maybe go overseas, G-League, anything,” Dzarnowski explained. “I’m going to try and accomplish it; just stay in the gym really, no parties, nothing. Just school and basketball, that’s it.”

The final signing of the ceremony was 6’3’’ guard Caleb Mackrey, committing to play at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, a JUCO program. Mackrey led the state in Class 6A scoring and finished his high school career with over 1,000 points.  

“I felt like it was a good fit for me, it’s not too far from home, and going JUCO gives me a better opportunity of getting where I actually want to be.” Mackrey commented. “I think my game will flow pretty easily; I know the offense is the same. I think I’ll be alright.”