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East County | Sports

Bella Toscano is one of two Mustangs, as of April 3, hitting over .450, but also boasts the lowest ERA among her teammates.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano

The sophomore pitcher/first baseman leads Lakewood Ranch High softball on both sides of the ball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jeremy Gandon kisses the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy. He shot six under par in the final round to win the title at 22 under par overall, defeating Mitchell Meissner and Jay Card III by one stroke.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 5, 2026
Jeremy Gandon wins 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

The Frenchman birdied the 18th hole to clinch the title and avoid a three-person playoff.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Ian Gilligan and Jeremy Gandon are tied at the top, but multiple golfers are right behind them.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mitchell Meissner lines up his putt on the third green of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. He carded six under par in the second round, pulling into a 10-way tie for 10th place.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 3, 2026
Front runner emerges on second day of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Ian Gilligan stormed ahead of the pack with a four-stroke lead for first place.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hunter Eichhorn watches his approach shot fly on the ninth hole. He already has four top-10 finishes this season on the Korn Ferry Tour, and leads the LECOM Suncoast Classic after round one at nine under par.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 3, 2026
First round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic ended early by weather

Hunter Eichhorn led the Korn Ferry Tour event at the time play was suspended.

  • East County
  • Sports
Colin Montgomery, a two-time winner of the Senior PGA Championship, is in the 135-player field committed to play April 16-19.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 3, 2026
All-star field set for Senior PGA Championship

Twenty-one major winners are part of the 135-golfer lineup heading to Lakewood Ranch's The Concession.

  • East County
  • Sports
John Saputo (left), Denise Saputo (top center), Lorraine Vitale (right) and Dick Vitale (bottom center) at the "March Mayhem" fundraiser and Elite Eight watch party. The Saputos were the hosts March 28 at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 1, 2026
March Mayhem fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch benefits pediatric cancer research

Dick Vitale, a four-time cancer survivor, hosted the event at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High girls weightlifting coach Jordan Borges (right) shares a hug with senior Payton Mangay-Ayam (left). Borges said he has seen multiple Florida high school coaches leave their positions because of financial strain.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 31, 2026
SB 538 will improve pay for some coaches but leave many behind

The bill, which has already passed the Florida Legislature, is poised to benefit booster-friendly programs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mickey Cohen is the leading scorer for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse this season. He surpassed 100 career goals as a junior in 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 30, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Mickey Cohen

The senior has been on a scoring tear for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse.

  • East County
  • Sports
Hank Lebioda shot 17 under par to finish third at the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic found an above-par home in Lakewood Ranch

Since the tournament's debut in 2019, it has been a staple of the community calendar.

  • East County
  • Sports
Byeong Hun An, who won the 2022 LECOM Suncoast Classic, is ranked No. 129 in the world, as of March 23. He tied for 21st place at the 2025 Masters Tournament and played in all four majors of the PGA Tour that season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 24, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic title doesn't guarantee PGA Tour success

However, previous winners have won millions following their wins at Lakewood National.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jenna Jahn notched a pair of top-two finishes at the Eddie Starling Memorial Invite on March 13 — including a record-breaking performance.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jenna Jahn

As a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High, she broke the program record for the 400-meter hurdles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cooper Jones is one of seven freshmen additions for Braden River this season. The third baseman/catcher leads the team in RBIs and ranks second in batting average, as of March 10.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 18, 2026
Freshmen talent takes center stage for Braden River High's softball team

The Pirates were off to a fast start with seven freshmen having an immediate impact.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Concession Golf Club is hosting the Senior PGA Championship April 16-19.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 18, 2026
Final preparations underway for The Concession to host Senior PGA Championship

The Lakewood Ranch golf club has officially begun its one-month countdown to the tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ava DiPasquale is ranked sixth in Florida among girls age 13-14 for the 2025-26 season, as well as 67th nationally in that regard, per Swimcloud.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 17, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Ava DiPasquale

The 14-year-old from Mill Creek won big at the Florida Age Group Swimming state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
  • May 1, 2026
New school in Lakewood Ranch is officially named Rangeland High School
2
Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington stands next to one of the new voting machines.
  • April 30, 2026
Elections forge ahead with revamped Supervisor of Elections office
3
Hurricane Milton at 8:05 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024.
  • April 29, 2026
Climate Adaptation Center predicts fewer storms this hurricane season
4
Skyler Betts is the CEO of All 4 the Members, a nonprofit that serves residents, 65 and older, living in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
  • April 29, 2026
Nonprofit supports seniors and caregivers in Sarasota, Manatee counties
5
Elisa Massaro, a senior and battalion commander of the Lakewood Ranch High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, is glad to have had the support of her teachers Richard Roller and William Cassidy.
  • April 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High JROTC program loses longtime leaders

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