By Kyle Coppola
Freshman Balances Sports and Academics with Olympic Dreams
Greenlea Salazar
Greenlea Salazar is no ordinary freshman. The Mount Dora Christian Academy standout is making waves in the world of javelin, balancing a packed athletic schedule with a rigorous academic workload.
Greenlea, who took up javelin in the seventh grade, quickly discovered her natural talent in the sport, dominating local competitions. She honed her skills at Tavares Middle School under the guidance of Kevin and April Von Maxey, whom she credits for shaping her into the competitor she is today.
“I am so thankful for Kevin and April Von Maxey and would not be where I am today without them,” Greenlea says. “My parents, Hank and Bridgette, my grandparents, and MDCA Athletic Director Megan Ziegelhofer have also been incredible influences in my life.”
Salazar’s success is not limited to javelin. She is a multisport athlete, competing in volleyball, track and field, soccer, softball and weightlifting. Despite her demanding schedule, she thrives academically at MDCA, where she receives strong support from the school’s faculty.
“The school provides me with resources to help balance my academics and athletics,” Greenlea says. “It’s a great environment that allows me to succeed both on and off the field.”
The young athlete has already competed at the highest level for middle school athletes, finishing 15th in the nation at last year’s Junior Olympics. She was the highest-finishing 14-year-old in the nation in javelin competing against older, more experienced athletes.
“I have goals to compete in the Olympics one day and throw in college,” Greenlea says. “I might be a freshman, but I’ve already competed against 15- and 16-year-olds, and I know I can push myself to be the best.”
Not only has Greenlea competed at the Junior Olympics, but she also has two middle school state championship medals under her belt, including finishing 3rd overall last year in Florida.
Her aspirations for 2025 are clear: win this month’s FHSAA state championship in javelin. With her dedication and work ethic, the goal seems well within reach and Greenlea has already shown she can win as a freshman.
Beyond sports, Greenlea is no stranger to hard work. She contributes to her family’s business, Hank’s Clean Cuts, where she mows lawns, pulls weeds, plants flowers and helps in any way she can.
Greenlea also credits her faith as a driving force in her life.
“During every throw, every competition, or whatever I do in life, I just grow closer to the Lord every day,” she says. “I know that He is with me.”
Photos: Nicole Hamel
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.
