It was an eventful 2015 for area athletes who made headlines for their improbable comebacks, perfect seasons, record-setting performances and historic runs.
Over the past year, they celebrated district, regional and individual state championships. We saw travel ball teams find state, national and World Series success and prep teams make school history, overcome adversity or return to glory.
Braden River's Alyssa Gagnon competes in the pole vault during the ODA Invitational March 21.
Braden River third baseman Linda Ross tosses the ball back to home plate to save a run in the Class 7A-District 10 championship April 16.
Braden River Rage U9 midfielder Madison McAvoy goes up for a header during the opening game of the Bradenton Cup April 18.
Catcher John Schroeder and his Lakewood Ranch Little League 11-and 12-year-old All-Star teammates competed in the State of Florida Tournament July 31 and Aug. 1.
Shane Zipperer finished with three hits during Lakewood Ranch's 9-3 loss to Sarasota in the Class 7A-Region 3 semifinals May 5.
Braden River running back DeShaun Fenwick carried the ball 10 times for 63 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Pirates' 41-0 victory against rival Lakewood Ranch Sept. 18.
ODA’s Joey Runge competes in the preliminaries of the 100-meter dash during the ODA Invitational March 21.
Ashley Bongart, a 2015 graduate of Lakewood Ranch High, returned home to compete for Tennessee in the 2015 Dick Vitale Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic Nov. 13 through Nov. 15.
Four-year-old Lane Spivey makes contact during Braden River’s baseball camp July 13 through July 16.
ODA’s Jake Krug returns a serve during his No. 4 singles match of the Class 1A-District 9 tournament March 30.
The Lakewood Ranch High girls tennis team captured the Class 3A state championship April 13 through April 15.
