That's the ticket ...

THURSDAY, May 5-SUNDAY, May 8 

Olympic hopefuls try to earn a spot in Rio de Janiero when Sarasota welcomes the world for the 2016 UIPM World Cup Final. Seventy-two participants from 28 nations will compete in five sports, including fencing, shooting, swimming, running and horsemanship, in the hope of earning one of 33 Olympic qualifying spots. 

FRIDAY, May 6

The Braden River softball team is two wins away from capturing its first state title in school history. The Pirates will face Gainesville in the Class 7A state semifinals at 1:35 p.m., at Historic Dodgertown, in Vero Beach. The winner will face either Lake Region or South Fork in the state championship, at 3:05 p.m. May 7. 

FRIDAY, May 6

The eighth annual Payton Wright Foundation Golf Tournament tees off with a shotgun start at noon at the Longboat Key Club. The event, which is the largest fundraiser for the Lakewood Ranch-based organization, will be followed by dinner, a silent auction and live music, beginning at 5 p.m. 

FRIDAY, May 6-SATURDAY, May 7

The area’s top talent will hit the track for the Florida High School Track & Field State Championships at IMG Academy. Competition for all four classifications will begin at noon, May 6 with select field event finals, followed by all preliminary heat races, and will continue at 9 a.m. May 7.