DME Academy’s Girls’ High School National and Boys’ High School Gold Teams Win Sunshine Independent Athletic Association State Championships
DME Academy, a prominent athletic institution located in Daytona Beach, Florida, recently made headlines for its outstanding performance in the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) state championships. Two of DME’s basketball teams, the Boys’ High School Gold, and Girls’ High School National emerged victorious and claimed championship titles in their respective divisions.
The boys’ basketball team, led by head coach Hocine Gaham, had a remarkable season. They dominated their opponents throughout the year, showcasing their superior skills and teamwork. The team worked well together and it was apparent they had been training all season for a championship battle against Montverde Academy. The final score was a close 50-49, with Traye Sturm leading the way with 19 points. DME Academy’s victory allowed them to claim the Sunshine Independent Athletic Association’s trophy for the 2022-2023 season.
Similarly, the Girls’ High School National team, coached by Michael Panaggio, put up a stellar performance in the championship game against Central Pointe. The team was led to victory by Olivia Schmitt who had 15 points in the 52-42 victory. Schmitt was also declared the SIAA league, tournament, and game MVP. The win crowned DME Academy as the SIAA state champions for the second year in a row.
“Watching our girls’ basketball team win the state championship was one of the proudest moments of my coaching career. Winning two years in a row is something to be proud of,” said Panaggio. “Their dedication, hard work, and perseverance throughout the season paid off, and they proved that anything is possible with determination and teamwork.”
The victories of both teams are a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by the coaches and players. Both coaches had carefully crafted game plans, and the players executed them with precision and focus. The academy’s emphasis on rigorous training and development of their athletic skills has undoubtedly paid off, and the teams’ success is a source of pride for DME Academy.
It is a significant achievement that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for their exceptional performance and for bringing home the SIAA state championship hardware!
Interested in learning more about DME Academy’s proven basketball programs? Check them out here!
Check out the highlights from the Girls’ National win over Central Pointe here!
Daytona Beach, FL – DME Academy is excited to announce the hiring of Thales Peterson as Head Soccer Coach. Peterson is set to take over the reins of DME Academy’s fast-growing soccer program on May 15th. Peterson brings a wealth of soccer experience to the program and possesses strong leadership qualities that had him pegged for the position.
Peterson comes to DME Academy with an impressive coaching background. He has been coaching at various youth and professional levels for decades and holds a USSF A License.
Peterson began his career as an Assistant Coach at the Empire Strykers (then named the Ontario Fury) in Ontario, California, and spent 13 years with FC Golden State, helping to build the youth program from scratch. Today, the club features thousands of players, many of which are MLS Next status. After his tenure with the Empire Strykers, Peterson was named head coach for the professional soccer club, Los Angeles Force, which plays in the National Independent Soccer Association out of Los Angeles, California. Most recently, he was the Girls Director and Head Coach at an ECNL-R club in the Sarasota, Florida area. Peterson is well-respected in the soccer community and has a proven track record of developing players and producing winning teams.
“We are thrilled to have Thales Peterson join the DME Academy family as our Head Soccer Coach,” said Todd Eason, Director of Soccer at DME Academy. “His extensive coaching experience, passion for the game, and commitment to player development make him the perfect fit for our program. His Brazilian roots and international ties will aid us in continuing to bring the best players from around the world to the fields at DME in Daytona.”
Peterson is equally excited about the opportunity to lead the DME Academy soccer program.
I’m excited to work with a professional staff, at a state-of-the-art facility, and with high-level aspiring athletes. With dedication, the right mindset, and execution, you can achieve all your goals. I’m honored to help ignite the dream and make a positive impact on the lives of so many student-athletes.”
The DME Academy soccer program is known for its commitment to excellence, both academically and athletically. With Peterson at the helm, the soccer program is positioned to continue its upward trajectory and achieve even greater success.
About DME Academy
DME Academy is a private school in Daytona Beach, FL that offers a rigorous academic curriculum for grades 6-12. The school also has several highly competitive athletic programs, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, and baseball. DME Academy is committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes who are prepared to excel both on and off the field.
Olivia Schmitt has been nominated to win the 2023 Florida Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year Award!
Olivia Schmitt has been nominated to win the 2023 Florida Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year Award! A talented player, Olivia has been a standout throughout her high school career with DME, whose hard work and dedication have earned her numerous accolades. Earlier this year, she was named MVP at the Mecca Showcase in New York City.
Schmitt is a member of the High School National girl’s team at DME Academy. She has been having an amazing season on and off the court. She averages 14 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.1 steals per game, while also shooting 38% from the 3-point line. Schmitt’s season-high point total was 26 against Rutherford in a 69-45 win on November 23rd, 2022.
Olivia’s consistency on the court has led her team to numerous victories and helped establish new records. Her determination and passion for the game are inspiring, and her talent has not gone unnoticed by coaches, fans, and players alike. So please join me in supporting Olivia Schmitt by casting your vote for her to win Florida’s Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year. Let’s recognize her hard work and exceptional talent by giving her the recognition she deserves.
Dominika Paurova Made Her Senior National Team Debut At 18 Years Old Playing For the Czech Republic Against Ireland.
Dominika Paurova is a talented basketball player from the Czech Republic who is currently attending DME Academy. She has been honing her skills on the court for years and has become one of the most promising young players in the country. Currently, she plays for DME’s High School Girls’ National team. Last weekend, Dominika had the opportunity to bring her talents to the global stage and represent her home country as a member of the Czech Republic basketball team.
Playing for the Czech Republic team is a dream come true for Dominika. She is thrilled to have the chance to compete on an international stage and represent her country at the highest level of basketball. Dominika’s hard work and dedication to her sport paid off, as she played an important role in helping the Czech Republic team succeed. She had 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists! Her outstanding performance on the court was a testament to her talent and her passion for the game.
Paurova is also taking her talents to the next level here in the United States next year. She recently committed to the University of Minnesota to play for the Golden Gophers Womens Basketball program!
Want to see how DME’s basketball program can help you play at the highest levels like Paurova? Check it out here!
DME Academy, the premier basketball, soccer, volleyball, and baseball Academy in Daytona, Florida, is expanding its horizons by hosting a lacrosse camp this summer in partnership with Defensive Academy.
DME has gained a reputation for excellence in high school athletics and academics, with top-level coaches, state-of-the-art facilities, and records to match.
The lacrosse camp will take place over a four-day period, from June 19th to June 22nd, 2023.
“We’re excited to be branching out into lacrosse,” said Dan Panaggio, Owner and Founder of DME Academy. “We’re always looking for ways to provide our athletes with new opportunities to grow and develop, and lacrosse is a natural fit here in Florida. We’re confident that the camp will be a great success, and we look forward to welcoming young athletes from across the country.”
Registration for the lacrosse camp is now open, and interested athletes can sign up on the DME Academy website. Spaces are limited, so interested parties are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
DME Academy’s 11U baseball team ran the 2023 “United in Strength” Deland ME STRONG 5k this past weekend. In its 11th year, this race continues to raise both awareness and funds for families in the Central Florida area that have been affected by cancer.
The 5k run was a great way for the young DME baseball team to come together and show their support for a worthy cause. Also, this event allowed our athletes to showcase their athleticism and determination while demonstrating the importance of teamwork and making a positive impact in their local community.
Demonstrating their hard work, dedication, and teamwork, the team embodied what it means to be a role model in their community.
Congratulations to Coach Michael Main and #11 Brandon Warrel for finishing on the podium!
DME Academy HS National pulled off a thrilling win against IMG Academy, who was ranked Number 6 in the entire country, in a game that came down to the wire. It was an exciting and intense competition, with both teams fighting hard. DME Academy came out on top thanks to a heroic, last-second buzzer-beater 3-point shot.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the clock ticked down to the final seconds of the game. IMG Academy had possession of the ball and looked to be in control, but DME Academy’s defense was relentless, forcing a crucial turnover. With just seconds left, DME Academy’s star player, Petras Padegimas received a hail mary pass from Alvaro Folgueiras and nailed a fadeaway 3-pointer that went into the basket right as the buzzer sang. The final score of the game was 47-44 in favor of DME.
The win was a huge confidence boost for DME Academy and demonstrated the team’s determination and never-say-die attitude. The players celebrated the victory on the court, embracing and congratulating each other on a job well done. The party didn’t stop there, as the squad yelled and danced in the locker room as well.
For IMG Academy, the loss was a tough pill to swallow.
Interested in learning more about DME Academy’s growing basketball program? Check it out here.
Last week, DME Academy hosted two teams with a total of 35 student-athletes, coaches, and parents from Budapest Hungary. Through these trips, we have found that hosting International teams is an invaluable experience for both groups, on and off the pitch, and we are so thankful for our local host families for giving our International visitors the full American experience.
“At DME, we truly believe that friendly competition through athletics is the best way to meet with other cultures and create friendships that last,” says Mike Panaggio, Co-Founder of DME Academy. “The Hungarian people are wonderful and they enjoyed mixing with DME students, eating in the cafeteria, and competing against our teams.
While the Hungarians were in Daytona, they visited our beaches and played multiple games against the DME Academy teams. They fully immersed themselves in the American culture and left the states with a team of new friends.
The Hungarian team’s trip to DME was so successful that they have invited 12 adventurous DME students to represent our academy on a trip to Hungary this upcoming Summer, to experience their culture! They will stay with local families, eat authentic Hungarian food, train together, and most importantly, create a lasting bond of friendship between the athletes of the two countries.
At DME Academy, we believe in going the extra mile. In this case, an extra 5,192 miles.
The DME boy’s soccer team last weekend traveled to Montverde, Florida for two matches. They took on Vaughan Azzurri, from Canada, Friday night; the following day, they took on Montverde’s SIMA Gold team.
The games were held at the Montverde Academy soccer fields for the SIMA Friendlies showcase, where a large crowd had gathered to watch the high level of soccer that was about to be showcased throughout the weekend.
Friday night’s game, DME Academy struck first, with a goal from Charles Christian, the team’s newest addition, who comes all the way from Ghana. DME Academy struck again with a late goal from Pootanet Petchtae to finalize their win of 2-0. Kol Bennet was stone-cold in the net and secured another shutout on the season.
Saturday’s showdown against Montverde’s SIMA Gold team was a hard-fought battle, with each team netting goals. In proving his value to the DME team, it was Christian that put one in the back of the net for the DME boys, securing the tie for the team.
DME Academy, comprised of a group of determined, dedicated, and diverse players, faced off against the nationally ranked team in this highly-anticipated match. Despite being heavily outmatched on paper, DME refused to back down and put up a fierce fight against the highly favored Montverde. When the last whistle blew, DME managed to hold their ground against the top team in the country, fighting to the end for the tie. In DME’s augural season, they surprised spectators and teams alike. But not themselves or their coaches.
“This weekend the boys faced many challenges and rose to the occasion during both games.” States Kioki Hutchings, Assistant Director of Soccer at DME. “They are a special group to be working with and I believe they have put DME soccer on the map after both of these battles.”
After the game, Todd Eason, Director of Soccer, and Kioki Hutchings were crowded by college scouts and coaches from Wake Forest, Notre Dame, the University of Maryland, the University of Portland, the University of South Florida, Boston College, and the University of Central, Florida, all inquiring about the star-studded DME roster.
DME Soccer continues to make a name for itself on the field, wherever they travel to. To learn more about the young program, check it out here!
The All-Area Volleyball team has been released for local high school players and we are proud to announce that 12 DME Academy athletes have been named to the list. We are happy to celebrate these accomplished athletes.
Out of these 12 accomplished athletes, there are also 3 individuals who have also made 1st team which automatically enters them into the drawing for player of the year, which will be decided this coming May. Taylor Timko, Sydney Moses, and Alyssa Kornegay have proven to be the best out of the best. Alyssa Kornegay has also earned the title of 6A Player of the Year.
These twelve players were not only vital to each of their DME team’s success but also to their respective high school squads. They all set great examples of work ethic, sportsmanship, and leadership. We are proud of all their accomplishments and grateful for the contributions they made to DME. Their talent and dedication will be greatly missed, but we are excited to see what they will accomplish in the future.
Congratulations to Taylor Timko, Sydney Moses, Alyssa Kornegay, Gabby Conway, Mollie Martin, Caroline Myers, Ivy Westfall, Emma Van Duesen, Emma Dhainaut, Hannah Zona, Andie Litz, and Isabel Castillon.
Alvaro Sanchez, Director of DME Academy’s volleyball program, was recently honored with the Coach of the Year as well as 6A High School Coach of the Year. He also led his high school team to an outstanding season with the Florida 6A State Championship. Under Sanchez’s guidance, his team developed a strong sense of teamwork and discipline, which helped them achieve success. Coach Sanchez’s players have also seen significant improvement in their skills and game strategies, thanks to his dedication and expertise. The community is proud of Coach Sanchez’s accomplishments and grateful for his contributions to the school and the sport of volleyball.
Learn more about DME Academy’s volleyball program here!