These were the views from the top of the sports mountain.
By
Ryan Kohn
| 9:00 a.m. December 30, 2020
East County
Sports
Share
Athletes had some great moments in 2020 despite the challenging circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here's a snapshot of a handful of those moments, capturing the athleticism that awes the area on a daily basis.
JANUARY — Lakewood Ranch High senior boys soccer forward Jacob Jordan goes for a header against Manatee High on Jan. 15. Jordan had two goals in the game.
JANUARY — Lakewood Ranch High senior wrestler Jamal Aoudi gets on top of his Sarasota Military Academy opponent. Aoudi, who is 5-foot-6 and 138 pounds, said wrestling helped him get healthy after he weighed as much as 190 pounds.
FEBRUARY — Andrew Novak pumps his fist after sinking a putt to win the 2020 LECOM Suncoast Classic on Feb. 16 at Lakewood National Golf Club. Novak, then-24, finished 23 under par to take home the $108,000 purse.
FEBRUARY — Braden River High sophomore girls basketball forward/center Bella Patterson battles in the post Feb. 27 against Wekiva High in the state semifinals in Lakeland.
FEBRUARY — Lakewood Ranch High senior softball first baseman Avery Goelz waits for her pitch during a game against Lake Region High on Feb. 28. The Mustangs won the game 9-0.
JULY — Myakka City RiverMocs pitcher Sarah Handrahan, who attends the University of Nebraska-Kerney, delivers a pitch in a game against the Bradenton Lynx in a Florida Gulf Coast League softball game in July.
AUGUST — Braden River High senior Logan Veith tees off at the Suncoast Junior Match Play event at Palm Aire Country Club on Aug. 1. The event was conceived as something fun for young golfers to do during the pandemic.
SEPTEMBER — The Out-of-Door Academy senior volleyball player Shelby Fulton wears a mask during a September 16 practice. The team played in masks during matches to comply with school safety regulations. Courtesy photo.
SEPTEMBER — Lakewood Ranch High senior running back Eli Daniels leaps for a touchdown grab against Booker High on Sept. 25. The Mustangs defeated the Tornadoes 27-7, and would finish with a 5-3 regular season record.
OCTOBER — Parrish Community High girls golfer Marissa Krone, an East County resident, eyes her putt Oct. 16. The Bulls' program is just two years old and their players are still learning, Coach Erin Lisch said. Courtesy photo.
NOVEMBER — Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball junior Andres Junge slices through the Sumner High defense Nov. 19 for an easy score. Lakewood Ranch defeated Sumner 69-49 in a preseason game.
