The Boys Basketball team is winding up its season with championship games. Women’s Soccer concluded with a narrow loss at regional finals. Winter sports is coming to a close ready for spring.

The Thunder truly shine in the Spring as proven last year in all of the sports. The ODA Track and Field team sent two girls the state track meet. The boys’ Tennis team went to the state tournament for the first time in ODA history.

The Girls Tennis team was the regional runner-up to Community School of Naples as they suffered a close defeat, four to three.

The Boys Lacrosse team won more games than they lost, once again making it to the district championship.

Girls Lacrosse couldn’t quite bring home the gold, losing in the district semi-final, nevertheless they had a winning season.

Even though their record doesn’t show it, the softball team had a very progressive year and is finally able to field a team this spring.

The Baseball team fell short of a district title; however they had 20+ win season and loss less than 10.

Every team has encountered their share of setbacks throughout the off season, but they’re back and ready to compete this spring.

The Track team is expecting a great season extending past districts with the return of seniors, Joey Runge and Sophia Gardinier. Also, with the addition of a new coach they are looking for an improvement in performance as a team.

“We have high expectations of the team. I hope to make it to Regionals and hopefully States and I would like to go to Nationals. I believe that this new coaching staff will get us to that level of competition. Our new coach name is Jeff Taylor and I believe that he will make us faster and stronger then we have ever been,” says Junior Kai Soderberg.

The tennis program has a history of excellence at ODA and this year will most likely be no different. With a young boys and girls team, they most likely will have a competitive base for years to come.

“Last year we made it to states as a team for the first time in ODA Boy’s Tennis history. This year a lot of us improved a lot and are ready to make a run for the state title. It should be an exciting season,” said Junior Josh Samuel.

ODA’s lacrosse program has been on the up and up ever since it began a few years back. Although they lost a few seniors, much of their young talent returned as sophomores, juniors and seniors.

Leading scorer Ian Martin is back for his junior year.

“We are expecting to be very successful because we are working as a team very well and are hoping to get a district championship,” says Martin.

The softball program has been in a state of reconstruction for the past few years, but for the first time in a few years they have fielded a full roster. They are looking to give teams in their district a run for their money. They are led by senior Isabelle Lee-Swartz.

“We have high expectations for the team this year. The past few years we have been building the foundation for the team, but now the girls have experience under their belts. We have a full roster for the first time in 3 years. The girls this year are committed to working hard and playing our best season yet. The full roster gives the girls a sense of hope that we will play better than ever,” said Lee-Swartz.

After a tough loss to Northside Christian in the district championship, the baseball team is back for vengeance and a district title. Although they lost senior Parke Phillips, the leading hitter in Manatee/Sarasota County, they fielded some new young talent in Nick Romagnola and Julien Brown.

Owen Ragsdale, a senior who recently recovered from Tommy John Surgery had a few comments on his expectations for the team this year. “We should be good, we work hard so it should pay off. We’ve all been here and know the system. We know the standards and what to expect.”

Come out and support your Thunder this Spring, they are sure to put on a show and represent our school.