Spartan Hall of Fame

List of 7 items.

• Class of 2020

  Ochiel Swaby- Coach (2004-Present)

  Ochiel Swaby has been a key figure at Miami Country Day School since 2004, serving as a Physical Education teacher, middle school volleyball coach, and Director of Basketball Operations, leading the girls basketball team to their current #1 national ranking.  As the Spartans’ girls basketball coach, Ochiel has compiled a record of  337-92, which includes 10 district championships, 7 regional titles, 6 consecutive state titles and 2 Dick’s National Tournament championships.  He is a 4-time Miami Herald Coach of the Year and was awarded the 2019 Jersey Nike’s Naismith High School Coach of the Year. Coach O, as he is often referred to, has coached numerous players that have moved on to play at the collegiate level.  As a player at North Miami High School, Ochiel averaged 47.4 points per game his senior year and went on to play at the University of Miami and University of Central Florida.  He led UCF to an NCAA Tournament bid during his junior season.  Ochiel has three kids, Onika, Nathaniel, and Zerah. 

   

  Manny Diaz – Class of 1991

  Manny Diaz, Class of 1991, was a 3-sport athlete at Miami Country Day School, participating in baseball, basketball, and football.  He won both the Leadership and Upper School Sportsmanship Awards his senior season, and served as Class President.  He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Florida State University in 1998, served as an assistant coach at NC State, was Defensive Coordinator at Middle Tennessee State, Mississippi State, University of Texas, and the University of Miami, and is currently the Head Coach of the Miami Hurricanes.  "Manny is one of the nation's elite coaches and the Canes' Family has already embraced him and his incredible work ethic over the past three years,” said UM Director of Athletics Blake James upon his hiring. “He is absolutely the passionate and innovative leader that our program needs, and we will work together to build an incredible staff to move our program back into championship contention."  Manny and his wife, Stephanie, have three sons, Collin, Gavin, and Manny.

   

  Christian Austin Gaddis – Class of 2002

  Christian Gaddis, Class of 2002, was a 3-sport student-athlete at Miami Country Day School, participating in football, basketball, and lacrosse. As a 3-year varsity football player, Christian was dominant along the offensive and defensive lines, where he was named 1^st team all-county, 2^nd team all-state, and team MVP.  He won the school’s Rotary Award in his senior season.  Christian’s athletic career continued on as he excelled at Villanova University, where he earned a full football scholarship. Recruited as a Defensive Lineman, Christian’s athleticism and unselfishness allowed him to make the switch to the offensive line, where he was a 3-year starter at Center because of team need. As a junior in 2005, he earned 3^rd Team All-Conference honors. In 2006, he was selected 1^st Team All-Conference and voted team MVP by his coaches. After an outstanding collegiate career, Christian played in the National Football League from 2007-2010 for the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts. He is a now Senior Account Executive for Mower, the Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations Agency, and also works for the NFL as a Uniform Inspector. Christian resides in Hamburg, NY with his wife, Danielle.

• Class of 2016

  Chris Polite – Class of 2002

  Chris Polite, class of 2002, was a 4-year member of the Varsity Football Team where he was named to the Miami Herald 1^st Team All-County three times and received 1^st Team All-State honors once. His statistics include 129 receptions, 2,700 receiving yard, 1,000 yards passing/rushing, 38 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Chris was also 3-year member of the Varsity Basketball Team, earning 1^st Team All-Conference honors his sophomore season. In addition, Chris participated in Track and Baseball, and was named the Upper School Outstanding Male Athlete in 2002. Chris continued his athletic career at the collegiate level playing four seasons of football at Villanova University, where he was a 3-year starter at receiver.
  
  

  Sandra Lee Kenna – Athletic Director, Coach (1987-2004)

  Sandra Lee Kenna began her career at Miami Country Day School as a Physical Education Teacher in 1987. She coached volleyball and basketball and took pride in being an outstanding role model for all student-athletes. She became Athletic Director in 1990 was instrumental in transforming the athletic program into a respected district and regional contender. During her 18 years at Miami Country Day School, the Spartans won 42 District Championships. Sandra passed away in 2004 after a valiant battle with lung cancer. The Sandra Lee Kenna Memorial Award was established in 2005 and presented annually to an outstanding male and female athlete who demonstrate citizenship, sportsmanship, and school spirit.

   

  Taylor Harlan – Class of 2007

  Taylor Harlan, Class of 2007, was a 6-year member of the Varsity Soccer Team earning Miami Herald 1^st Team All-County five times, and 2^nd Team All-State three times.. She was the team’s Most Valuable Player five times, and currently holds school records in: goals in a season, career goals, and career assists. Taylor also participated in Cross Country and Track and was named team MVP three times. She received the prestigious Silver Knight Award in Athletics for her contributions to her community service project “Kleats 4 Kids,” an organization that collected new and used cleats which were distributed to those in need. Taylor continued her athletic career at Elon University, where she was named to the All-Conference Team in 2008.

  
  
  

• Class of 2013

  Roy Altman '00
  
  Roy Altman, class of 2000, was a 4-year member of the Varsity Football team where he was named to the Miami Herald First Team All-Dade squad twice and received First Team All-Conference honors once.  He was named Miami Herald’s Class 3A-1A Football Player of the Year in his senior season.  Roy was also 4-year member of Varsity Baseball, earning First Team All-Conference honors his senior season, and was a member of the Varsity Basketball Team for 2 seasons.  Roy was the Spartans 2000 Miami Herald Scholar Athlete of the Year Finalist.  He continued his athletic career at the collegiate level, playing two seasons of football and two seasons of baseball at Columbia University, where he earned All-Academic All-Ivy League honors in baseball in 2004.

  
  Chris Antonopoulos-Coach
  
  Chris Antonopoulos, or Coach A as we all like to call him, has been a mainstay at Miami Country Day School since 1988.  He served as an assistant football coach for 23 years and helped establish a fast pitch softball program in 2001.  He helped lead the team to a District title in 2006 and continues to lead the program today, where he has over 130 wins.  He also served as an assistant Middle School Boys’ Soccer coach from 2003-2011.  In the words of Head of School, Dr. John Davies, “Coach A is the embodiment of what a coach working with young people should be.  He understands the value of athletics and its place in the education of the whole child.  He respects his athletes and they respect him.  It’s never just about winning with Coach A.”

  
  Michael Courtney '98
  
  Michael Courtney, class of 1998, was a 4-year member of the Varsity Soccer Team earning Miami Herald First Team All-Dade and All-Conference honors 2 times.  This 2-time soccer team MVP was also named FACA District 19 2A Player of the Year his senior season and was named to the NSCAA/Umbro All-Star South Team.  Michael also earned FACA All-State honors and was an Adidas/NSCAA All-American his senior season.  He was a 3-year member of the Varsity Cross Country team and was a Miami Herald Scholar Athlete of the Year nominee.  Michael’s versatility helped contribute to the Varsity Golf team one season and Boys’ Varsity Volleyball team in another season.

  
  Jessica McCrary  '00
  
  Jessica McCrary, class of 2000, was a 6-year member of the Varsity Soccer team earning Miami Herald First Team All-Dade honors, as well as All-Conference honors 5 times.  This 4-time team MVP was also named Miami Herald’s Class 3A-1A Soccer Player of the Year in her senior season.  Jessica also thrived on the Track team, where she was named team MVP 6 times and qualified for States in her senior season.  Jessica was a 3-year member of the Varsity Cross Country Team, where she earned Miami Herald Honorable Mention honors twice.

  
  Tabitha Polley (Charles) '85
  
  Tabitha Polley (Charles), Class of 1985, was the cornerstone of the Cross Country, Soccer and Track teams as the school began to grow in the 1980’s.  As a 6-year member of the Varsity Track team, she qualified for States 6 times and placed Third in her senior season in the 880.  She was a 5-year veteran of the Varsity Soccer team, earning Miami Herald First Team honors once and team MVP honors three times.  As a 4-year cross country runner, Tabitha qualified for States four times, won the Individual Conference and District Titles once and was team MVP three times.  She was named Miami Country Day School Female Athlete of the Year in her sophomore, junior, and senior years.

• Class of 2010

  Greg Barry, Class of 1987

   

  Football, Basketball, Soccer

  Greg Barry participated in football, soccer and basketball during his years at Miami Country Day School.  He was a 3 time team MVP in football and won the outstanding offense award in his junior season in basketball, as well as MVP honors in his senior season.  Greg’s stellar career was capped with a record setting football season where he broke Dade County’s single season class 3A-1A rushing record amassing 1,734 yards and breaking a then near twenty year old single game rushing mark with 407 yards in his last game in a Spartan football uniform. Throughout his high school career, Greg was the epitome of toughness and durability.  He was Miami Country Day’s scholar athlete nominee that used his brains and sportsmanship to wow the opposition, as much as his speed and strength.  He had a calling greater than athletics and showcased his work ethic off the field just as much as he did while in the athletic spectrum. 

   

  Ben Frazier, 1951-1997

   

  Coach, Teacher

  Ben Frazier dedicated his life to educating young minds.  He worked as a Miami Country Day School employee for 46 years helping in the development of the physical education department.  His support and attendance to countless games on and off campus is legendary.  Ben’s love of sports began at a young age and continued through his stint as a minor league baseball player before finding his calling at Miami Country Day.  Throughout his tenure as an educator and staff member, Ben endeared himself with his approachability and honesty which helped create his legacy at Miami Country Day School.

   

  Rachel Ostroff, Class of 2002

   

  Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Lacrosse

  Rachel Ostroff participated in volleyball, basketball, softball and lacrosse at Miami Country Day School.  She played varsity basketball for four years being named the most improved player her freshman year, receiving the Coaches Award her sophomore and junior seasons and the MVP award her senior year to go along with being named to the honorable mention All-State team.  In volleyball, Rachel was a stand-out for three seasons on the varsity squad earning the Most Improved Award her sophomore season, Spartan Award her junior year and Coaches Award her senior year.  Rachel played softball in the spring of her junior year earning team MVP honors.  In the spring of her senior year, Rachel elected to play lacrosse on the boys team and showed that not only could she survive, but could thrive.  She was Miami Country Day School’s female Miami Herald Scholar athlete of the Year nominee and was named the school’s Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year.

  Rachel continued her athletic career at Stevens College where she played four seasons of volleyball, 2 seasons of basketball and one season of lacrosse.  She is the school’s all-time leader in digs for a career and season and was named to the All WIAC Team in 2003.  She was also named the 2004 Skyline Tournament MVP and named to the Academic All-District Second team by CoSIDA in 2006.  She capped off her collegiate volleyball career by being selected as the Skyline Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year.  Rachel broke barriers and used her tenacious work ethic to take a strong high school career and make it phenomenal collegiate career.

   

  Jimmy Stobs, Class of 1987

   

  Golf, Football

  Jimmy Stobs participated in golf and football during his athletic career at Miami Country Day School.  He won the Spartan Award in his junior year in football, but his true calling was in golf.

  He was a member of the Spartan golf team for five years earning MVP honors in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.  He was also named to the Miami Herald First Team All-Dade squad in those seasons never averaging above 37.6 on nine holes. 

  He continued his golf career at Georgia Southern and Florida Atlantic University, where he received the Sportsmanship Award in 1992.  Jimmy followed his collegiate career by playing on the Nike, Golden Bear, South American, Montgomery, South Florida and Trans-Act Mortgage Tours.  He eventually ended up winning 25 mini-tour events including the 1998 Florida Open, but found his true calling as a coach.  Jimmy has been the Barry University Men’s Golf Coach since 2003 and helped lead his team to its first National Championship in 2007.

   

  Jennifer Weir, Class of 1997

   

  Swimming, Water Polo

  Jennifer Weir competed in swimming and water polo within a phenomenal three year run.  She was recognized on Miami Herald’s first team All-Dade swimming squad her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, as well as being named Miami Herald’s Swimmer of the Year her junior and senior years.  Jennifer was also a three time All-Conference swimmer and the team’s MVP in those three seasons.  Jen competed on the boys’ water polo team her sophomore year due to the fact Miami Country Day School did not have a girls team yet.  She helped establish the girls’ water polo program and earned third team Miami Herald All-Dade accolades her junior season and second team honors her senior year to go along with being named the team’s Co-MVP.  She capped off her senior year by being named Miami Country Day School’s Female Athlete of the Year.  Jen continued her swimming career at the University of Miami for four years where she was the team captain her senior season.  She competed in the 100 and 200 free, the 100 breaststroke, the 100 butterfly and 200 IM.  She won the 200 IM, as well as the 200 Free and placed second in the 100 Free at the 2000 Big East Championships.  She is still the University of Miami record holder in the 200 IM.  Jennifer found tremendous success at the high school level which vaulted her to be a star at the college level.  Jen, through her dedication and sacrifice, helped lay the foundation for the resurgence of Miami Country Day’s swimming program and the establishment of our water polo program.

• Class of 2007

  David T. Caserta, Class of 1981
  Baseball, Basketball, Football, Track
  David T. Caserta was the first accomplished multi-sport male athlete at Miami Country Day School. He participated in football, baseball, track, and basketball and did so at high levels of competition. He was a four-year starter in football, basketball, and baseball. In basketball, he led the county in scoring his senior season, averaging 30.7 points per game, and was named to the 1st team All-Dade County unit. In his senior season, he won the Upper School Outstanding Athlete Award, the school’s Sportsmanship Award, and was a Silver Knight nominee in athletics. The football field at Miami Country Day School is named the David T. Caserta Field in his honor.

  
  Robert L. Floyd, Class of 1994
  Basketball, Golf 
  Robert Floyd was one of the most accomplished golfers in Miami Country Day School’s prestigious golf program. He was a member of the golf team since the seventh grade, earning 1st Team All-Dade Country honors three times, All-Conference honors twice, and was a member of the 1st Team All-State his senior year. In addition, he was the recipient of the Upper School Sportsmanship Award in 1994. Robert continued his athletic and academic careers at the University of Florida, where he was a three-time All American. He played on various professional tours, which include the Golden Bear and the PGA tours.

  
  Dara Rose, Class of 1997
  Swimming, Water Polo
  Dara Rose will be remembered as one of the best swimmers and water polo players in the school’s history. In swimming, she participated on the varsity team for four years, winning 1st Team All-Dade County honors all four years. She was named to the 1st Team All-Conference unit in her junior and senior seasons, and qualified for states all four years of her high school career. In water polo, she was also a four-year member of the team, winning the MVP Award her last three seasons. She was named to the 1st Team All-Dade County Team in each of her last two seasons. She continued her athletic and academic careers at Iowa State University, where she had a very successful career, winning two athletic awards and holding a part of two school records.

  
  Chris Stobs, Class of 1990
  Football, Golf, Soccer
  One of the most prolific athletes in the school’s history, Chris Stobs participated on the football, soccer, and golf teams. On the football field, he was a three-year starter on offense and defense, and won the team’s MVP his senior season. He was a two-time 1st team All-Dade County member his junior and senior seasons at linebacker and led his team in tackles each of those years. On the soccer field, Chris was a three-year starter and the team’s enforcer. He helped lead his team to the Boys Varsity Soccer teams only final four appearance in 1989. On the golf course, Chris was a member of the team for six years. He was named to the 1st team All-Dade County team his senior season, and also won the school’s Upper School Outstanding Athlete Award. He continued his academic and athletic careers at Georgia Tech University and later transferred to Valdosta State University. In his junior season at Valdosta State University, he was named to the Division II All American Team.

• Class of 2004

  Lona Rae Sasser, Class of 1982

  Cross Country, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Track, Volleyball 
  Lona Sasser was one of the first female athletes at Miami Country Day School to excel in several different sports. She participated in swimming, cross country, volleyball, soccer, track, and softball. In track, Lona served as the team’s captain and was recognized with 1st team All-Conference honors her junior and senior seasons. She was named the Miami Country Day School Outstanding Female Athlete for two straight years. Lona participated in the Junior Olympics for three years in the heptathalon. She qualified for the state track meet three years in a row, and in her senior season, was the small school track state champion in the shot put and discus, holding the state record for discus for many years. In soccer, she helped lead her team to a conference championship, under Coach Mike Ruggles, and was named to the 1st Team All-Dade County her senior season. Lona continued her athletic and academic careers at the University of Pennsylvania, where she participated in track and cross country.

  
  Mike Ruggles, 1959-1986
  Athletic Director, Coach, Teacher
  Micah “Mike” Ruggles was an American Literature teacher, coach, and athletic director at Miami Country Day School for 27 years. An accomplished athlete, Ruggles attended the University of Miami on baseball, football, and basketball scholarships. He founded the Miami Country Day School girls’ soccer program and led them to three undefeated seasons. A key member in the developmental years of the school, Mike Ruggles understood the role that athletic competition and physical fitness played in the complete learing process, and laid much of the groundwork for the school’s athletic program being what it is today.

  
  Michael “Briny” Baird, Class of 1990
  Cross Country, Soccer, Golf
  Michael “Briny” Baird played soccer, golf, and ran cross country during his Miami Country Day School days. In golf, he was named to the 1st team All-Dade County team for all four years of his high school career and was named most valuable player twice. In 1990, he also won the high school state golf championship as an individual player. In soccer, he was a three year letterman in soccer and helped lead the Boys’ Varsity Soccer team to the athletic departments only final four appearance in school’s history. Briny continued his athletic and academic careers at Valdosta State University, where he was a two-time All-American and helped lead his team to back to back national tournament appearances in 1994 and 1995. In 1994 and 1995, he was named the Division II player of the year. He turned professional in 1995, and has been very successful on the PGA Tour ever since. In 2001, Briny was inducted into the Valdosta State University’s Hall of Fame. Throughout his high school, collegiate, and professional careers, Briny has been the epitome of excellence and of good sportsmanship.

  
  Judson “Dino” Lacapra, Class of 1997
  Cross Country, Soccer, Baseball
  Judson “Dino” Lacapra participated in soccer, baseball, and cross country during his years at Miami Country Day School. In baseball, he served as the team’s starting shortstop and leadoff hitter since the seventh grade. As a captain in his junior and senior seasons, he helped lead his team to top ten state rankings, and a conference championship in 1996. As a cross country runner, he was a member of three state qualifiers that finished 3rd in the state for two years, and fourth the other year. He was the captain of a team that won three district championships and one conference championship. In soccer, he was a four-year starter. He served as team captain in his senior season, was the team’s MVP, was named to the 1st team All-Dade County Team, was named to the Dade County Soccer Coaches Association senior all-star team, and was recognized as the 4A-1A Miami Herald player of the year. He continued his soccer and baseball careers at Barry University, where he was known as a tireless worker, with an excellent work ethic, and was the consummate team player.

• Class of 2001

  John C. “Jack” Dubois, 1954-Present
  Athletic Director, Coach, Teacher
  John “Jack” Dubois has been a science teacher, coach, athletic director, and consultant at Miami Country Day School since 1954. Jack is an individual that has spent most of his adult life helping to guide Miami Country Day School into the School of Excellence that it is today. At the 2001 induction ceremony/roast, many of Jack’s former student-athletes acknowledged his innovative methods of coaching that included pushing school buses to football games and encouraging fifth graders to feel as powerful as seniors. Most of all, jack is remembered as a parent figure/mentor, a guide in terms of behavior as well as sports ability, an individual who has dedicated his whole life to blending athletic with academics and ethics.

  
  Effie Silva, Class of 1992
  Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
  Effie participated in volleyball, soccer, and softball at Miami Country Day School. She was a three-year starter in softball and volleyball, and excelled in both sports. As a goalie on the soccer team, she helped lead her team to the school’s only Girls’ Varsity Soccer District Title in 1991. She was elected to the 1st Team All-Dade County unit as a senior. Effie continued her academic and athletic career at Wellesley College, where she went on to earn the most prestigious academic-athletic awards, including the New England Eight All Star in 1994 and 1995, and Wellesley’s Most Valuable Player in 1996.

  
  Sandon Stolle, Class of 1988
  Tennis
  Sandon Stolle participated on the Miami Country Day School Tennis Team for three years as the team’s #1 player, and helped lead them to a district championship in 1987. He was a member of the 1st team All-Dade County unit twice, and won the team’s most valuable player award in 1986 and 1987. He went on to have a very successful professional tennis career by winning the U.S. Open Championship, finishing second at Wimbledon, and holding 18 doubles titles.