Observer Preps Athlete of the Week: Jack Hyler

ORLANDO When the Olympia Titans boys water polo team defeated Lake Nona 9-8 in the FHSAA First Round Play-In Game April 1, senior wing Jack Hyler led the way with five goals, two assists and a steal.

Three days earlier on April 29 in the district championship against rival Dr. Phillips, Hyler scored the game-winning goal for the Titans in overtime, giving Olympia the 10-9 win.

In short, Hyler — the Observer Preps Athlete of the Week — had a pretty good week.

"It was amazing — all I was thinking about was just getting that ball in the goal," Hyler said. "I can't really describe how it felt."

The victories place the Titans boys program in the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2013 — a year before Hyler and his fellow seniors arrived on campus. Now, they get a chance to play on the sport's biggest stage in the state.

"Jack really leads by his actions," head coach Stephanie Johnson-Possell said. "Last year and this year, Jack scored the winning goal against Dr. Phillips. DP is an outstanding team ... this year our team was the underdog and these boys were just all about it and I'm really proud of them."

For Hyler, knowing that his team's underdog run has surprised some people along the way is just an added bonus.

"It's amazing, especially because everybody doubted us at first," Hyler said.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].