Dragon Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Lake Orion High School

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.Sports run deep in Oakland Township, and Lake Orion High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Dragon uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Lake Orion High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. Jeff Heath – Collegiate Linebacker

Jeff Heath was a standout linebacker at Lake Orion High School, earning all-league, All-North Conference and All-State finalist honors while serving as a team captain. He continued his career at Saginaw Valley State, where he became one of the Cardinals’ top defensive players, recording 81 tackles during the 2011 season and earning Second Team All-GLIAC recognition. Known for his physical play and leadership, Heath was also a Big Play Player of the Year and recipient of the Big Stick Award. (Sources: SVSUCardinals, LakeOrionReview, LakeOrionSchools)

2. Anna Wandrie – Collegiate Soccer Player

Anna Wandrie captained the Lake Orion Dragons as a midfielder before signing to play collegiate soccer at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. A leader on and off the field, she continued her athletic career at the NCAA level while pursuing a degree in business. (Sources: USCBAthletics, LakeOrionReview)

3. Bob Gibson – Paralympic Athlete

Gibson, inducted into the Lake Orion Wall of Excellence in 2020, is a decorated Paralympic athlete who represented the United States in wheelchair sports. He earned multiple Paralympic medals and later became a prominent advocate for adaptive athletics, helping expand opportunities for athletes with disabilities on the world stage. (Sources: Paralympic, LakeOrionSchools)

4. Ronald Tripp – Martial Art & Combat Sport Athlete

Tripp, a 2017 Lake Orion Wall of Excellence inductee, is a world champion in both Sambo and Judo and is best known for being the only person to defeat Rickson Gracie in official competition. Beyond his competitive success, Tripp has played a major role in international sport governance, serving as General Secretary of USA Judo and as a board member of the United States Olympic Committee. (Sources: LakeOrionSchools, BJJEE)

5. Tom Gillis – PGA Golfer

A Lake Orion High School alum and 2020 Wall of Excellence inductee, Gillis enjoyed a long and successful professional golf career spanning more than three decades. He competed on the PGA Tour and spent five seasons on the European Tour, with his closest PGA Tour victory coming at the 2015 John Deere Classic, where he tied for the lead before a playoff loss. Gillis is widely respected for his longevity and consistency in professional golf. (Sources: LakeOrionSchools, PGAChampions, MichiganGolfJournal)

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.