Former Miamisburg athlete Dara Russo, MHS Class of 2021, just completed her women’s soccer career at the University of South Carolina Upstate as one of the most decorated players in school history. Dara made an immediate impact as a Freshman, being named the Big South Freshman of the Year, along with being named Big South All-Conference Second Team, Big South All-Freshman Team, and was named Big South Freshman of the Week three times.

During her Sophomore year, she was named Big South Offensive Player of the Year and to the Big South All-Tournament team. She was also named USC Upstate Female Athlete of the Year.

During Dara’s Junior year, she repeated as Big South Offensive Player of the Year, was again named to the Big South All-Tournament Team, and helped the team to its first-ever Big South regular season title and helped the team make it to the NCAA tournament. She also became USC Upstate’s all-time Division I leading scorer. She repeated as USC Upstate Female Athlete of the Year.

This past season, Dara was named First Team All-Conference while battling injuries all season. By the end of the season, Dara held career records for Goals (36), Points (83), Shots (215), Shots on Goal (117), and Game/Match winning goals (13).

While at MHS, Dara earned 13 letters in 4 sports. She will graduate from USC Upstate with a degree in Public Relations and will pursue a professional career in soccer.