5 Super Athletes With Ties To Lakeland

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Lakeland area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Alice Haylett (Baseball)

As a dominant pitcher in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, Haylett led the Grand Rapids Chicks to a championship in 1947 and earned the league's Pitcher of the Year honor in 1948 with a remarkable 25–5 record and a 0.77 ERA. Known for her powerful fastball and curveball, she adapted seamlessly when the league transitioned to overhand pitching. Originally from Coldwater, MI, Haylett retired to Lakeland in 1981, where she continued her love for sports through softball and golf.

2. Monaé Nichols (Long Jump)

Accomplished long jumper Nichols has made her mark on the international stage, earning a silver medal at the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships. She also represented the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she placed sixth. Hailing from Lakeland, Nichols developed her talent at Auburndale High School before excelling in collegiate track at Bethune–Cookman University and Texas Tech University. Her achievements include a personal best of 6.97m and podium finishes at the NCAA and USA Track and Field Championships.

3. Freddie Mitchell (Football)

Mitchell, a former NFL wide receiver, played four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and is best remembered for his clutch "4th and 26" reception during the 2003 NFC Divisional Playoff Game. A Lakeland native, Mitchell excelled as a four-sport athlete at Kathleen High School before starring as a wide receiver at UCLA, where he was a consensus All-American in 2000. Drafted in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, Mitchell contributed to the Eagles' Super Bowl XXXIX appearance in 2004.

4. Chris Sale (Baseball)

Lakeland native Sale, a dominant left-handed pitcher, solidified his place among baseball's elite with eight All-Star selections, a World Series title and numerous accolades, including the 2024 National League Cy Young Award. His journey began at Lakeland Senior High School before excelling at Florida Gulf Coast University. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox, he later became a key figure for the Boston Red Sox, leading their rotation to a championship in 2018. Traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2023, Sale's career highlights include leading the league in strikeouts and setting the record for reaching 2,000 career strikeouts in the fewest innings pitched.

5. Corey Sanders (Basketball)

Sanders is currently a professional basketball player with Rawlplug Sokół Łańcut in the Polish Basketball League. The Lakeland native has built a dynamic career across international and domestic leagues. Sanders honed his skills at several high schools, including Kathleen High, before leading West Oaks Academy to a state championship. At Rutgers University, he excelled as the Scarlet Knights' leading scorer, averaging 14.6 points per game over three seasons. After declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft, Sanders embarked on a global career, showcasing his talent in leagues across Europe and the NBA G League.

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