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East County | Sports

Owen Gellatly, pictured here in 2025, is one of two seniors for Lakewood Ranch boys golf this season alongside Donovan Plakyda. Both of them were on last year's team which reached the state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 2, 2026
After 12th-place state finish in 2025, LRHS boys golf team aims higher

The Mustangs were runner-ups at the FHSAA Class 3A state championship in 2023 and 2034.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy girls volleyball team has rolled to a 5-1 start this season following last season's 16-9 finish, and they've done it with a roster full of underclassmen.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 1, 2026
Inexperience doesn't hinder ODA girls volleyball team

The Thunder rely on freshmen and sophomores, but that's been to their advantage.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kate Johnston is a freshman at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, and in her first year with the school's volleyball program after moving to Florida from Illinois.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 31, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Kate Johnston

The Lakewood Ranch Prep girls volleyball player did something the team's coach said he'd never seen before.

  • East County
  • Sports
Junior quarterback Hudson West led Sarasota to 47 points scored against Palm Beach Lakes on Friday, but it wasn't enough to top the Rams' 58.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 29, 2026
High school football results from Week 2

Cardinal Mooney falls in a thriller, ODA rolls again and more from Aug. 28 across East County and Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Sports
Pat Ancil has coached the Mustangs since 2019 and previously did from 2007-16. This upcoming season will be his 17th leading the program.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 26, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High boys wrestling coach becomes Hall of Famer

Pat Ancil will be recognized with the "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award by the Florida Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

  • East County
  • Sports
Midfielder Sander Roed (right) laments a goal allowed by the Sarasota Paradise to Chattanooga Red Wolves SC during an Aug. 19 home match. Even after a 3-2 win that night, the Paradise have serious work to do if they're going to qualify for the USL League One playoffs.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 25, 2026
Sarasota Paradise have a goal-scoring problem

The first-year professional soccer club is near the bottom of the USL League One standings, due to its weak offense.

  • East County
  • Sports
Much of David Louis' life has been spent watching and playing basketball. This is only his third year playing football.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 24, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: David Louis

In preseason action for Braden River High football, the senior running back had himself a game.

  • East County
  • Sports
Then-juniors Devin Erdei (left) and Adam Bomberger (right) celebrate during The Out-of-Door Academy football's spring jamboree. Both of them are back for more after the Thunder finished 8-3 in 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 19, 2026
All 3 Lakewood Ranch-area prep football teams expect to improve in 2026

Here is a look at the Lakewood Ranch High, Braden River High and ODA football teams.

  • East County
  • Sports
Then-junior Alex Falu (left) and then-sophomore Kingston Kokoefer (right) are pictured during The Out-of-Door Academy's spring jamboree. Kokoefer will be a crucial piece on defense for the Thunder this fall.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 18, 2026
5 Lakewood Ranch-area football players who will command attention in 2026

Three of the five east Manatee County athletes will play multiple roles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gabi Schauenberg led the Thunder in blocks last season en route to a 16-9 overall record and 2-1 mark in District 2A-8 of the FHSAA.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 17, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Gabi Schauenberg

The junior middle/outside hitter is back in action for ODA girls volleyball after a strong sophomore effort.

  • East County
  • Sports
As Lakewood Ranch High’s football coach, Scott Paravicini aims to develop his players on and off the field.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 17, 2026
Cancer diagnosis strengthened LRHS coach's determination to win on and off field

Scott Paravicini, with a well-earned reputation as a high-character, high-integrity leader, entered his 30s with a high-profile job and two young kids. Then came cancer. The diagnosis dented his body — not his resolve.

  • East County
  • Sports
Elianna Grace has golfed competitively for four years. Her decision to pick up the sport dates back to when she was 4 years old, and regularly tagged along with her father to the driving range.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 12, 2026
From local to international stage, young golfer is on the rise

Elianna Grace of Lakewood Ranch, now 12 years old, placed third in her age-group division of the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Paxon Hermann placed sixth for pole vault at the 2026 FHSAA Class 1A track and field state championship in May. That was far from the only discipline he worked on this summer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 11, 2026
ODA student-athlete dives into decathlons

The Out-of-Door Academy junior Paxon Hermann spent this summer training for and competing in three decathlons across the country.

  • East County
  • Sports
As a junior, Daniel Snitkovsky placed seventh in both the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke at the 2025 FHSAA Class 4A boys swimming state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 10, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Daniel Snitkovsky

The senior at Lakewood Ranch High was a well-traveled swimmer this summer.

  • East County
  • Sports
In Denver, Colorado, Florida Premier FC SWFL played five matches in five days and came up one win short of a national title. It previously won the U.S. Club Soccer Florida Cup in May to qualify.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • August 5, 2026
Florida Premier finishes as the runner-up in a national soccer tournament

Florida Premier FC SWFL's U13 girls soccer team ultimately lost to FC Tampa Rangers in the U.S. Club Soccer National Cup.

  • East County
  • Sports
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in East County

1
Fifth graders Amilia Dragovoy, Betsi Branscomb and Raegan Standifer are able to work at their own pace on state standards through the Ethos AI Experiential Academy at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy.
  • September 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Prep embraces personalized AI academy
2
Dr. Samuel Yelverton is proud Universal Health Services is purchasing the most advanced technology for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
  • September 2, 2026
Da Vinci 5: A robotic masterpiece at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
3
Owen Gellatly, pictured here in 2025, is one of two seniors for Lakewood Ranch boys golf this season alongside Donovan Plakyda. Both of them were on last year's team which reached the state championship.
  • September 2, 2026
After 12th-place state finish in 2025, LRHS boys golf team aims higher
4
For security reasons, Commissioner Jason Bearden is wary of giving a private company so much data on Manatee County. He wants to "push the brakes" on AI.
  • September 2, 2026
AI pilot program says it can save Manatee County up to $110 million
5
Del Webb's Paul Roy and Sheila Fritts show off the spirit of Del Webb's Cancer Walk. Participants have fun while giving back.
  • September 2, 2026
Del Webb Lakewood Ranch has fun fundraising for cancer research

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