OCA athletic program is tops in SC

David Shelton • July 30, 2025

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OCA athletic director Mark Meyer, who also is the varsity girls soccer coach.

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.

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First Baptist Hires New AD and Football Coach

By David Shelton • July 30, 2025

By David Shelton Senior Writer Charleston – First Baptist School has new leadership within its football program and athletic department for the coming 2025-26 school year. Kevin Mapp was hired as the new head football coach in the early spring and Jay Godbolt was hired as the new athletic director at the start of the summer. Mapp has extensive coaching experience on both the college and high school levels while also working in law enforcement. First Baptist is his first head coaching position. Mapp last coached defensive linemen at James Island Charter High and has had coaching stints at James Madison, Hampden-Sydney, Georgetown, Marshall, Missouri State and Coastal Carolina. Mapp graduated from James Madison and was a defensive lineman on the 2004 Division I-AAA (now FCS) national championship team. “Coaching has always been my passion,” Mapp said. “Ever since I was playing, I wanted to be a coach. I have always found a way to coach while working in law enforcement. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunities to do both.” Mapp has been with the Charleston County police department for the last 10 years. He took some time away from coaching to start a family. “I felt like First Baptist was the perfect fit for me and my family,” Mapp says. “It’s a great opportunity at a great place. The kids here work hard and there is a lot of support from the administration. I’m excited to be the head football coach at First Baptist.” Mapp has hired coordinators on both sides of the ball. Will McCombs , once the head coach of the program, will call the offensive plays. Chris Hart comes over from James Island as the defensive coordinator. “Our numbers are improving and the kids are working hard,” Mapp said. “I feel like we can be a competitive team. It’s year one of the building process.” Godbolt has been a coach and athletic director in the Charleston area for nearly two decades. As the boys basketball coach at Charleston Collegiate, Godbolt coached three state championship teams. He also has been a coach and athletic director at Lowcountry Leadership Academy. Godbolt has more than 450 career victories as a head basketball coach. Current First Baptist basketball coach Antoine Saunders was Godbolt’s assistant at Charleston Collegiate.