- June 10, 2026
-
-
Loading
Loading
Set down those pencils. Put that backpack in the closet. Toss away old papers, or set them ablaze in a bonfire, if you so desire.
The 2025-26 academic year ended in late May. With it, high school athletics are on hiatus for summer break.
Before the countdown to August and 2026-27 begins, here are the five athletes from Sarasota who impressed most this past academic year:
For the first time in a long time, Sarasota boys swimming seemed human. The Sailors’ failure to win a state title in 2024 snapped a streak of four in a row.
They were also without their longtime coach, Andrew Eckhart, in 2025 following his departure for North Carolina. But the team still had an ace up its sleeve — Bogdan Zverev.
Zverev, who has signed with Alabama, guided the program back to smooth waters. He won gold in the 100-yard butterfly (46.99) and 200-yard individual medley (1:45.23) while the Sailors secured the FHSAA Class 4A team state title.
As a senior, he also earned silver in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:05.39) and 200-yard medley relay (1:33.26), meaning that he finished no worse than second place in all four events he swam.
It was an all-time performance. If it was any indication of what’s to come, there should be more than a few medals in Zverev’s future.
It was quite the year for Madison Muller. As a sophomore at Riverview, she solidified her place among the state's elite runners.
Muller won the FHSAA Class 4A cross-country state championship, and her competition wasn’t much competition at all. She crossed the finish line in 17:37.70 with a staggering 22.6-second margin of victory.
At the 4A track and field state championships, she flexed her distance-running strengths again. Muller secured silver in the 3,200-meter run (10:31.95) and earned bronze as part of the Rams’ 3,200-meter relay team (9:10.01).
This fall, she could become only the second runner in program history to win multiple cross-country state titles, joining Alyssa Hendrix (2018-19).
And it’s not a reach to say she could become the first to three-peat. The 2025-26 Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida for girls cross-country is just that good.
Cardinal Mooney football was not lacking in the talent department last season. On both sides of the ball, plenty of Power Four prospects were present.
Running back Connail Jackson, though, made life particularly miserable for opponents. He ripped defensive game plans to shreds by embarrassing tacklers on a regular basis.
With the then-junior powering the ground attack, the Cougars secured the FHSAA Class 2A state title in 2025. They averaged a blistering 45.3 points per game and scored on every drive in the championship, trouncing Jacksonville Bolles, 52-28.
Jackson posted similarly eye-popping numbers — 2,452 yards, 39 touchdowns, 11.3 yards per carry and 163.5 yards per game. He was borderline unstoppable out of the backfield, and alongside then-junior signal-caller Davin Davidson, constituted a formidable duo.
UCF will benefit from the three-star running back’s services next fall, but for now, Jackson returns to Cardinal Mooney looking to become a two-time state champion.
Winning titles was already second nature to Taylor Schwenk. Entering her senior season, Riverview girls swimming was the four-time defending FHSAA Class 4A team state champions.
The Rams’ reign over the pool only continued as her high school career neared its close. And she was the one who led the effort.
Schwenk was golden — three times — in the 200-yard freestyle (1:47.97), 100-yard butterfly (54.54) and 200-yard freestyle relay (1:33.58). She also earned silver as part of Riverview’s 400-yard freestyle relay team, which finished in 3:25.64.
Paced by the NC State signee, the Rams extended their already impressive streak to an even-more-impressive five consecutive state titles. That broke a tie with 2010-13 for the longest such streak in program history.
Odds are, Riverview will find a way to add yet another trophy this fall. Schwenk won’t be there, but with the Wolfpack, she’ll have her own hardware to pursue.
The 2025-26 season was nothing short of magical for Sarasota boys basketball. Johnny Lackaff was the all-important magician, doing whatever he could to ensure victory at every turn.
For the first time in program history, the Sailors reached a state title game, appearing in the FHSAA Class 7A state championship. The team went toe-to-toe with the Goliath that is Miami Columbus and very nearly slayed the beast, losing 53-50 in nail-biting fashion.
Lackaff missed a game-tying 3-pointer in the waning seconds of that defeat, but it shouldn’t haunt him. Sarasota finished 25-7 and defended its regional title — largely thanks to him.
The rising senior guard averaged 23.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game as a junior. He shot 54% from the field and 47.2% beyond the arc compared to 50.3% and 37.7%, respectively, during his sophomore season.
And he’s not done yet. Lackaff will be back in 2026-27, and with several of his teammates returning, the Sailors will be a state title contender once again.
