By Kyle Coppola
Lake Minneola High Students Headed To Junior Olympics for Water Polo
Lake County is brimming with talented young athletes, and two standouts, Augustine “Augie” Wladyczka and Cecilia “CiCi” Peroni, are set to represent their community at the Junior Olympics in Dallas, Texas, from August 1-4, 2024. These well-rounded young students not only excel in their sport but also maintain impressive academic records and contribute to their community. They look forward to representing Lake Minneola High School!
Augustine “Augie” Wladyczka: A Rising Star in Water Polo
Augustine, a 15-year-old first-generation American and son of Polish immigrants, resides in Montverde, FL. A rising sophomore at Lake Minneola High School, Augustine is a straight-A student with a 4.6 GPA, enrolled in the Lake-Sumter State College Health Sciences Collegiate Academy. This program allows him to work towards an associate’s degree while still in high school, reflecting his aspiration to become a dentist or orthodontist.
(Augie is just 15 years old and has a 4.6 GPA. He is among the most academically gifted swimmers in Lake County.)
Since childhood, Augustine has been drawn to the water. His mother introduced him to swimming at the age of 3, and by his fourth birthday, he was diving and racing. His early years were filled with various sports, from gymnastics and ballet to soccer and baseball. However, it was at the age of 9, when he joined the South Lake Aquatic Club (SLAC), that his love for water sports truly blossomed.
Augustine’s journey in water polo began when the Orlando Thunder Water Polo Club relocated to the National Training Center in Clermont. His natural affinity for teamwork and strategy made him a perfect fit for the sport. Over the years, he has amassed numerous accolades with his team, including gold and silver medals at various tournaments such as the Open Water Beach Tournament in St. Pete, FL, the Spring ’24 Juniors Rise Up, the Patriot Tournament, and the 2023 Championship Nightmare on I-Drive.
He competed in the Junior Olympics last year with the 14U team. This year, he will compete in the 16U category, ready to face some of the best teams in the nation.
Cecilia “CiCi” Peroni: A Defensive Dynamo
Cecilia “CiCi” Peroni is another exceptional athlete who will join Augustine at the Junior Olympics. Known for her tenacity and skill in blocking opponents, CiCi’s defensive abilities are a key asset to her team. Ulrika, CiCi’s mother, proudly shares a favorite photo of CiCi in action, exemplifying her determination and focus.
Both Augustine and CiCi train under the Orlando Thunder Coaching staff, who, alongside Ulrika and other advocates, are working tirelessly to introduce water polo to Lake County Schools. Currently, no schools in the district offer the sport, putting local athletes in a much more challenging situation than others who do have water polo offered to them. This initiative aims to level the playing field and provide more opportunities for young athletes like Augustine and CiCi to excel.
Community Support and Future Prospects
As these talented athletes prepare for the Junior Olympics, they rely on the support of their community. Their journey to Dallas is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and the encouragement they receive from their families, coaches, and neighbors. Augustine and CiCi represent the potential and promise of Lake County’s youth, inspiring others to pursue their dreams both in sports and academics.
For more information on the efforts to bring water polo to Lake County Schools or to support Augustine and CiCi in their journey, please reach out to the Orlando Thunder Coaching staff or Ulrika Peroni. Let’s come together to cheer on these remarkable young athletes as they compete on the national stage.
Photo Credit Marta Wladyczka
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.
