Sarasota athletes get national, local results

The Sarasota area had athletes making noise locally and across the country in the last week, so let's waste no time in getting to their accomplishments, which were impressive — and in some cases, may lead to even bigger ones in the next few weeks. 

Phillips 66 National Championships

So many swimmers with elite talents have come through the Sarasota area in recent years, it's easy to take their accomplishments for granted. But we shouldn't do that, especially when swimmers are competing at events like the Phillips 66 National Championships, held June 27-July 1 in Indianapolis. The best swimmers in the country gathered to prove themselves against each other, and the Sarasota-area swimmers in the competition held their own. 

Let's start with the swimmers still based in the area before moving on to a decorated alum. Sarasota Sharks junior swimmers Gracie Weyant, Addison Sauickie, Michaela Mattes and Amadeusz Knop all represented the area at the championships, and performed admirably. Of the four, Sauickie had the highest individual finish, taking third in the B final of the women's 400 freestyle with a time of 4:10.16, which was good for 10th among all swimmers in their respective finals. She also finished sixth in the B final of the women's 200-meter freestyle (1:59.00) among her other results. 

Mattes finished 15th overall in the Women's 1,500 freestyle (16:33.74) — there were no final heats in that event — and second in the C final of the women's 400-meter freestyle (4:10.73), among other results. Weyant finished seventh in the C final of the women's 400 individual medley (4:51.58), fourth in the D final of the women's 200 meter individual medley (2:16.43) and fourth in the D final of the women's 200-meter breaststroke (2:33.94). Knop finished fifth in the D final of the men's 200-meter backstroke (2:02.29) among other results. 

Then there was Emma Weyant, Gracie Weyant's sister, the former Olympian and current University of Florida Gator. Weyant swam her silver medal-winning event, the women's 400-meter individual medley, at the championships, but unfortunately was disqualified during a preliminary race for an illegal dolphin kick. She did finish second in the B final of the women's 400 meter freestyle (4:09.78) — one spot ahead of Sauickie — as well as 20th overall in the women's 200 meter freestyle (1:59.78). 

All-Stars shine on the diamond

While it may not have as much at stake as the swimming national championships, Little League All-Star baseball can be just as exciting. And as it turns out, our All-Star contingent might be just as successful. 

Courtesy photo

The Sarasota Little League 8-9-10 All-Star team won its Section 6 tournament on July 1, winning its two games by a combined 36-5 score. Now that's what I call domination, on both sides of the scoreboard. The team will now move on to the state tournament, held July 7-8 in Winter Garden. 

The league's 50/70 team also reached the sectional stage, but failed to advance.

The state tournament is a different beast, as you never know what caliber of teams you'll be facing, but I'd put the Sarasota 8-9-10 team's chances of advancing to regionals as being as good as anyone else's after its sectionals performance. If it does advance, it would head to Bridgewater, Virginia, on July 28-Aug. 1 for the regional tournament. 

Former Sailors continue minor league ascent 

Going from Little League baseball to Minor League Baseball, two former Sarasota High stars have continued their strong play in 2023 as they attempt to climb their respective organization's farm systems. 

It's easy to forget that Vaun Brown was drafted in the 10th round of the 2021 draft by the San Francisco Giants organization out of Florida Southern College. He was the 296th overall pick that year, and yet, as of July 3, Brown was ranked as the No. 6 prospect in the entire Giants system, and the No. 3 outfielder. It is a testament to how thoroughly Brown, 25, has beaten the stitches off the ball since becoming a pro: he's hitting .332 for his career and .286 in his first full season with the AA-level Richmond Flying Squirrels. (Goodness, do I love a wacky minor league team name.) He has some pop and some speed to boot: Brown has six home runs and 13 steals this season. 

His age makes him a somewhat unusual prospect, or at least one ranked so highly by scouts, but that's how good his tools are. MLB.com projects Brown to reach the major leagues in 2024, and that feels right to me as well. 

Not to be forgotten, Satchel Norman is off to a torrid start for the Arizona Complex League Brewers in 2023. Norman was drafted out of Florida SouthWestern State College in the 15th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022 and had a good start to his career last fall, hitting .344 over 10 games in a taste of Rookie League action. He's back in the league now, and over his first 10 games, Norman is actually doing even better than he did in 2022, hitting .364 with one home run and seven RBIs. It's a small sample size, but those kind of results are always good to have. At just 20 years old, Norman likely has a ways to go before reaching the upper levels of the system, but he's doing everything a prospect should do in the meantime.