SARASOTA (SNN-TV) – The Out-of-Door Academy Girls Lacrosse team is one of the school’s most dominant programs, having won 42 games since the 2017 season, and boasting a 13-1 record this season, going undefeated in Florida.
One of the team’s top stars is senior midfielder Dani Taraska. Taraska leads the team in goals and assists per game, as well as total points and assists. Becoming the star she is in her senior year, came from years of hard work, something head Coach Carolyn Keber has witnessed first-hand.
“Sophomore year, when I started coaching her, she was raw. She had this amazing speed and athleticism. To where she’s come today, is just phenomenal.”
Taraska not only achieves success on the field, she excels in the classroom as well. She takes difficult coursework while staying committed to her athletic endeavors. Much like she’s married the athletic and academics together in high school, Taraska will do the same at the next level, as she will play lacrosse at Berry College in the fall, where she will also pursue the field of medicine. Dani attributes Out-of-Door Academy as the catalyst to making those collegiate decisions.
“It’s honestly challenged me to go to the next level and its just pushed me. The teachers push me constantly and they’re always there to support me.”
Dani’s role on the Lacrosse team took a larger leap this season, a role that Coach Keber says Dani has grown into overtime.
“You know, in her younger years she was more quiet and she was taking it all in. This year she’s a captain and she really sets the stage by example.”
While leading her to team to the district championships, Dani recently notched her 100th career goal at ODA in a game against Tampa Catholic. Dani hopes to continue that success while at Berry in both medicine and lacrosse.
“The honors program will push me to get into the medical program I want and the lacrosse team, hopefully, I can help them as much as I can.”
As a team captain, and soon journeying into the medical field, Taraska can only hope the generations of student-athletes following in her footsteps can find their academic passion like she has at ODA.
“I would have them find one thing about school that they do enjoy, so that they keep going each day because school is going to be important.”
Dani and the rest of the ODA Girl’s Lacrosse team look to claim the 1A District 11 Championship tomorrow night at home against St. Stephen’s at 7pm.
