FSDB Athletics

The Florida Heatwave made a remarkable statement at the 2026 Peach State Goalball Classic, earning a 3rd-place finish in the first adult tournament in current program history. Entering the competition as the youngest and least experienced team in the field, the Heatwave faced opponents whose rosters often featured decades of combined goalball experience. In contrast, Alina Davila-Tirado, Aspen Henderson, and Lily James had only two seasons of experience playing together. They were joined by FSDB alumnus Veronica Hyatt, whose leadership and experience helped strengthen the squad throughout the tournament.

Despite the odds, these young women competed with determination, grit, and confidence, proving they belong on the court with some of the sport's most experienced athletes. Their performance culminated in an impressive 3rd-place finish and showcased the bright future of Florida goalball.

Adding to the excitement, Aspen Henderson and Lily James were selected to represent the United States on the Youth Worlds Championship Team. Later this year, they will travel to Kazakhstan to compete against the world's best young goalball athletes while proudly wearing the red, white, and blue.

"I am incredibly proud of each and every one of these young ladies. Their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to one another continue to inspire everyone around them. The future is bright for the Lady Cobras and the Florida Heatwave, and this tournament was another exciting step in their journey," shares Coach Keller.

Flagler College, located in the heart of St. Augustine, is hosting two volleyball camps this summer.

The Flagler Volleyball All-Skills Camp will take place from July 8-9 and is designed for high school-aged players looking to improve their skills in various aspects of the game, including hitting, passing, serving, blocking, setting, defense, game knowledge, and competitiveness. This camp is open to participants aged 14 and up.

Additionally, the Flagler Volleyball Lil' Saints Camp will be held from July 6-7, running daily from 9 AM to 12 PM. This camp is for young players aged 8-13.

For more information, please see the attached flyer, which includes a QR code for registration.

We are hiring for coaching positions for the Fall and Winter of the 2026-2027 season!

Available Positions for Fall 2026-2027:
- Varsity Football Assistant Coach
- JV Football Head Coach
- JV Football Assistant Coach
- Cheerleading Assistant Coach
- Two Swimming Assistant Coaches
- Girls Goalball Assistant Coach (Year-round)

Available Positions for Winter 2026-2027:
- Wrestling Assistant Coach
- Boys Middle School Basketball Assistant Coach
- Girls Middle School Basketball Assistant Coach

To apply, please contact Nicole Jones at [email protected].

Congratulations to Mariska Dize for being recognized as USADB Youth All-American Second Team Award!

SAVE THE DATE!

Who: Florida School for the Deaf and Blind vs. Maryland School for the Deaf
When: October 16-17th

More details to come soon!!!

Student Athlete Spotlight: Justin Carter Poropat

For Justin, basketball isn't just a winter sport; it's a year-round passion. This summer, he will attend several camps to help him excel in the sport he loves! He will participate in the Disney ESPN Memorial Day Classic in Orlando, Florida, the Elite 60 Showcase in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Austin Peay State University College Camp in Tennessee, and the Nike Advanced Skills Camp at Flagler College in Saint Augustine.

We look forward to hearing about all the new skills you develop and the fun experiences you have at these camps!

Last week, Athletic Director Nicole Jones, along with Senior Student Athletes Mariska Dize and Kai Huot, visited the St. Johns Sports Club, where both students were awarded Athlete of the Year! In addition to this prestigious honor, they each received a $500 scholarship. Congratulations, Dragons!

Take a look at the last two photos for a summary of our students:

Celebrating our Track & Field Girls Seniors!

Credit: Senior, Joshua Hoffnagle