Photos from wild and wonderful sports stories in 2017.
By
Ryan Kohn
| 8:00 a.m. December 28, 2017
Sarasota
Sports
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Not every great sports moment is right for our year-end countdown, but that doesn't mean they've been forgotten.Â
From the cute to the breathtaking, the funny to the tear-inducing, here are more photos commemorating the year in sports.
Jan. 12: Then-third grader Max Miville hits a side kick during a Clark's Self-Defense class at Philippi Shores Elementary, taught by Derrick Clark. The class also promotes non-violent ways to deal with bullying at school.
March 30: Cardinal Mooney then-sophomore Kali Plattner (5) taps a ball over the net during the Cougars' first-ever beach volleyball match, against Bradenton Christian. Cardinal Mooney won 3-0.
May 8: Brian Speight tries to block a John Edwards shot, but misses. Both men play in The Bunker League, a well-respected men's basketball league in the area run by Dennis Bunker.
April 5: Riverview High then-junior Veronica McCurdy drives the net against North Port High. McCurdy finished the season with 80 points, tied for 11th-most in the country, according to MaxPreps.
May 6: Sarasota High track and field then-senior Joseph Kelly took 10th place in the Class 4A boys pole vault at the state championships.
May 18: Josh Hill takes a leap of faith at his parkour studio, Rad Parkour. Hill suffered serious leg injuries in a 2015 motorcycle crash, but recovered to keep living his passion.
June 8: Runner Stephen Kelly rocks a distinctive pair of shorts to raise support for Comfort Cases, a charity that packs and distributes overnight bags filled with essential and comfort items to children entering foster care.
June 27: Oak Park School student Evan Justice takes a swing during a Baltimore Orioles clinic at Ed Smith Stadium. The clinic was solely for students of Oak Park, a school for people from pre-K to age 22 with special needs.
June 27: Gabe Hernandez fires a bean bag during a round of cornhole at Old School Bar and Grill. The game is harder than it looks, he said, especially indoors.
Sept. 27: Former wrestling coach Ron Jones holds up his plaque at the inaugural Sarasota High Hall of Fame ceremony, held at Michael's on East.
Nov. 2: Booker High junior Nikki Marceus practices her hammer throw. She took a year and a half away from the sport before picking it back up in pursuit of a scholarship.
July 8: Members of AO Sarasota, the local chapter of the U.S. Soccer fan group American Outlaws, take in a USMNT World Cup qualifying game at Shamrock Pub.
