Why Lia Ogle Is South Dade’s X-Factor

South Dade softball has no pressure on their shoulders. That is, if you don’t count the fact that the school won state sports championships three times last year.

So when new assistant coach Lia Ogle looks at the future of the program, the future that she sees is bright.

“These girls come out on to this field every single day and put their hearts into this game,” said Ogle. “You can’t ask for more than that.”

Ogle is herself a former South Dade softball star, having graduated as a proud Buccaneer who went on to represent her Alma Mater while playing collegiate softball in Pensacola.

Last year, Ogle served in a pseudo-unofficial assistant role, helping out with practices and equipment, donating her time when she could.

When a family emergency forced Alan Bramblett to resign from his position as the team’s assistant coach, Ogle was the logical choice for the job.

The 23 year old finds herself in a unique position as a coach; Ogle can simultaneously play the part of youthful equal who understands where her players are coming from and be a mature elder to whom the girls can look up to for guidance.

Indeed, South Dade may have found exactly what it has been looking for these past years.

Always a team with the potential to beat anyone on their schedule, the Lady Bucs had a team that was projected to be a post-season threat in 2013.

Those hopes were dashed, however, when individual talent and egos clashed, resulting in what many felt was a squandered opportunity at success.

After last years’ experience-building season that saw a talented team full of youth steadily find their way to the winner’s circle, South Dade will now take to the diamond with a renewed sense of possibility, ready to contend with perennial district leaders Coral Reef and Palmetto.

In order to realize that 

potential, the Lady Bucs will look to Ogle to help anchor the team.

For most, being 23 and in a leadership position would seem like a daunting task, but being strong is something Ogle has become accustomed to.

After enduring years of struggle both personally and professionally, as well as dealing with tremendous loss, Lia Ogle has emerged on the other side of her strife with a strength she believes will carry her to success.

“You can’t have regrets in life,” stated Ogle. “You’ve just gotta learn from your mistakes. Every coach wants to win and I look forward to the opportunity to coach the sport that I love. If I can walk away from coaching knowing that I have helped these ids be better on and off the field and have made an impact in their lives, then I’ll be doing something great.”

Preferring to remain stoic instead of showing her emotional side, Ogle will return to her spot in the dugout, calling plays alongside head coach John Spicer, knowing that regardless of the result, her impact will be felt in ways other than through winning.

I look forward to seeing how South Dade softball will progress this season, and through that, how Lia Ogle progresses as well in her new position as an on-field leader.