OCA athletic program is tops in SC

By David Shelton

Senior Writer

Mt. Pleasant – A lot of factors go into being the top high school program in the state and Oceanside Collegiate has a lot of those winning factors.

The South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association recently released the winners of the Carlisle Cup, which recognizes the top athletic programs in each of the six classifications statewide. Points are accumulated through success in state playoff competition with state championships accounting for 100 points.

Oceanside Collegiate was the top performing program among all classifications, winning eight state championships with three state runner-up finishes. OCA also is ranked No.1 in the Maxpreps Cup rankings.

“I think our school model gives us an opportunity to have quality coaches who are not teachers, allowing teachers to teach and coaches to coach,” said OCA athletic director Mark Meyer, who also is the varsity girls soccer coach. “We are able to hire the best coaches because we don’t have to fill teaching positions. And our coaches are very dedicated to the kids.

“Another huge factor is the dedication and commitment by our student/athletes. Our kids, in all sports, work hard, They take their sport very seriously and you can see that by their involvement in the various club and travel off-season programs.”

Oceanside Collegiate also employs a full-time strength and conditioning coach who works with athletes in all sports. Brian Coleman holds that position.

“We are very fortunate to have one coach that handles all of our athletes, every sport,” Meyer said. “The kids are always working to become the best conditioned athletes. The weight room is always full.”

Consistency among the coaching ranks is another strength. Meyers took over as athletic director five years ago and has had very little change since then.

“We had several new coaches in that first year but we’ve had very few over the last four years,” Meyer said. “Our athletes know who their coach is going to be and our coaches work hard to build the culture in their own programs.”

The coaching staff should return intact for the 2025-26 school year. Alecia Robinson is the softball coach and Britt Reames is the head baseball coach. Quinton Hollis is the varsity boys basketball coach while Brent LaPrad is set to begin his first season as the head football coach. Mandy Harrison coaches the girls basketball team.

Courtney Beauch directs the swimming program and Rocky Catalano coaches the golf teams. Jennifer Fort is the girls volleyball coach and Shawn Harris is the tennis coach. Tom Harris handles boys lacrosse and Ashley McCulloch is the girls lacrosse coach. Doug Smith is the boys volleyball coach.

Collin Phillips is the boys soccer coach and Tracy Yancey coaches cross country and track and field.