By Kyle Coppola
MDCA Stars Shine Bright: Athletes Ink College Commitment Letters
Congratulations to the MDCA students who have signed their college commitment letters. This is a huge step in these students lives and we will be going over each student who committed to their respective University.
Owen Draves (MDCA Football) Signed To Army
Owen Draves was one of the most talented offensive linemen in Lake County this year. The senior was very talented not only on the field but off it as well. He was a true leader of the MDCA bulldogs this year and one of the reasons that MDCA made it to a conference championship game this year. They would ultimately win the championship game something that Draves was trying to do the last three years.
Draves signed his intent to join Army for the 2024 season. Draves is a smart kid and will do well at West Point. He says “When I toured Army it just felt right. The school has a lot of the same values that MDCA has and it just felt like the perfect fit for my family and I. I can’t wait to get to work next year.”
Draves joins a few other MDCA athletes who also signed their college letters of intent. We could not be happier for each and every one of them.
Cael Reish (MDCA Baseball) Signed To Flagler
Cael Reish is a former Montverde Academy player. The demonstrated amazing prowess on the field in 2023 with an impressive .340 batting average in 19 games. He had 16 hits, 8 RBIs. and 16 runs scored. Reish’s stellar performance landed him the opportunity to play for Flagler College where he will continue his academic and playing career. Congratulations to Cael and the entire Reish family on his commitment.
Dean Schaefer (MDCA Football) Signed To SEU
Dean Schaefer has signed to Southeastern University just down the road in Lakeland, Florida. The NAIA school has been looking to rebound after their worst season in school history last year. Schaefer was a kicker at MDCA. He had a near perfect season for MDCA with PAT’s and was 11 for 12. He attempted 7 field goals making 4 of them. Schaefer is also a soccer player for MDCA. He currently has 3 goals this season. SEU has been looking for a good kicker so Schaefer should certainly help the Flames out. They are getting a very accurate kicker who is nearly automatic at extra points.
Easton Workman (MDCA Baseball) Signed to Lander University
Easton Workman wrapped up an outstanding junior year in 2023. He had a .338 batting average. Workman’s all-around skills were on full display with 27 hits, 21 runs scored, and 15 RBIs. Lander University will be the destination that Workman will continue his academic and baseball career. We are very excited for Easton and his family and look forward to seeing what he does in the future.
Rachel Horsford (Cross-Country) Seminole State
Rachel Horsford is a cross-country runner with MDCA. She has been a valued member of the Cross-Country and the Track & Field team the past few years. She finished first at the Wildwood Open earlier this year and finished 10th at the FHSAA 1A Districts. She has been part of many winning 4X800 teams in Track & Field. As her final track & field season approaches, we wish her the best of luck and look forward to her future success at Seminole State. Congratulations to Rachel and her family!
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
