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East County | Sports

Offensive linemen Tucker Kittle and Brooks Larkin try to use their size and strength to their advantage every time they step out onto the field."It's just a different style of play," Kittle said. "We're more just lean on and crush you."
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 19, 2011
Larkin and Kittle provide the core for ODA offensive linemen

Weighing in at a combined 588 pounds, senior Tucker Kittle and sophomore Brooks Larkin are undoubtedly the core of The Out-of-Door Academy's offensive line.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jon Bullas is the director of instruction for the Golf Academy at Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 19, 2011
New golf academy tees off

The Golf Academy at Lakewood Ranch marked its official launch in August.

  • East County
  • Sports
The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 19, 2011
Athlete of the week: Nate Strawderman

Thirteen-year-old Nate Strawderman threw for 220 yards and a pair of touchdowns while helping lead the East Manatee Bulldogs Junior Midget team to the FYD South Division title with a 32-16 victory over the Manatee Wildcats Oct. 15.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ellie Bonnett
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 19, 2011
Sports Briefs

Bruins trip up Pirates at homecoming; Bulldogs Junior Midgets win division title; Ortiz takes the Pre-State Invitational

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 18, 2011
Lady Mustangs earn top seed

The Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team captured the top seed in the Class 6A-District 12 tournament, defeating St. Petersburg Dixie Hollins 25-11, 25-5 and 25-9 Oct. 13 to finish 5-0 in district play.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kyra Himes, of Braden River’s U13 team, battle’s a Florida Revolution player for possession.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 18, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Ninth annual Halloween Havoc

Hundreds of youth soccer players put their skills to the test during the Braden River Soccer Club's Ninth annual Halloween Havoc Oct. 15-16. Eighty-four boys and girls teams ranging in age from U9 through U14 participated in the tournament with Braden River's U11 boys Black, U11 boys Orange, U12 boys, and U12 girls teams all winning tournament championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2011
Mustangs break county record

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team won its sixth consecutive tournament, shooting a 2-under par 286 to capture the Manatee County Championship Oct. 14.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2011
Bulldogs Junior Midgets win division title

The East Manatee Bulldogs Junior Midget team defeated the Manatee Wildcats 32-16 to capture the FYD South division title Oct. 15.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High junior Olivia Ortiz, pictured with cross country coach Mary Quinn, won the Pre-State Invitational Oct. 15.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 17, 2011
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Ahead of the pack

Lakewood Ranch High junior Olivia Ortiz posted her fastest time on the state course, crossing the finish line in 17 minutes, 41 seconds to win the Pre-State Cross Country Invitational Oct. 15 at Little Everglades Ranch in Dade City. The Lady Mustangs scored 295 points to finish ninth out of 23 teams in the elite race. Other top performers for Lakewood include: Kristin Zarrella (19:04), Natalie Novak (20:07), Katie Wray (20:33), Ashley Platt (20:36), Michelle Last (21:17) and Emily Perez (21:32). Lakewood was without senior Devin McDermott who was out with a knee injury

  • East County
  • Sports
The Braden River High football team fell to 1-6 on the season with a 28-19 loss to Bayshore Oct. 14.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 16, 2011
Bruins trip up Pirates

The Braden River High football team fell to Bayshore 28-19 in its Homecoming game Oct. 14.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Pirates fought fiercely.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • October 14, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Braden River Homecoming Game

The Braden River High School Pirate family rallied Friday night during the school's Homecoming game against Bayshore High School.

  • East County
  • News
The event is the only clay court college tournament in the nation, and this year the event will include a party at ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale's house.
    By
  • Eddie Kirsch
  • October 12, 2011
Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic returns to Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club is set to host the 2011 Dick Vital Intercollegiate Clay Court Classic from Nov 11 to Nov 13.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Miss Manatee Softball 10U Observer team has a 1-1 record through the first two games of the fall season.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Observer team in full swing

The Miss Manatee Softball 10U Observer team opened its fall season Oct. 1.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jen Blanco
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Comment: First-time interviews fun for all

As the lone sports writer for the East County Observer, I'm constantly interviewing coaches and players - many of whom I've interviewed countless times before.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River High sophomore Madison Jaco, left, couldn’t wait to step onto the court for the first time this season as a teammate of her older sister, Brittany.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • October 12, 2011
Sisters power Pirates volleyball team

Brittany and Madison Jaco have been instrumental in leading the Braden River High volleyball team in their first season together on the court.

  • East County
  • Sports
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