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East County | Sports

Everett Whiten Jr. watches his chip shot approach the hole on Oct. 22 at The Concession Golf Club. The 24-year-old native of Chesapeake, Virginia, won the 2025 Billy Horschel Invitational.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 27, 2025
Billy Horschel Invitational shows why The Concession is ready for a greater future

The Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour event was held Oct. 20-22 at the Lakewood Ranch-based golf club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brooke Pavek (left) and Xochitl Napoles (right) skate down the path at Nathan Benderson Park on Oct. 18. Both will be active in this year's marathon.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 22, 2025
Florida Inline Skating Marathon celebrates fifth anniversary in Sarasota

The Nov. 8 event at Nathan Benderson Park will be the largest marathon of its kind in the state.

  • East County
  • Sports
The new aquatics complex at Premier Sports Campus is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 21, 2025
Premier aquatics complex construction stirs excitement among local swim clubs

The Lakewood Ranch Swim Association Lightning and Sarasota Tsunami are hoping to find a home at the new competition pool.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kenny DeStefano poses for a photo before an Oct. 20 team practice. The junior was one of three Mustangs to place in the top five at the Out-of-Door Invitational on Oct. 18, and one of five to crack the top 10.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 20, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kenny DeStefano

The junior for Lakewood Ranch boys' cross-country posted the best time among all Mustangs to finish second individually at the Out-of-Door Invitational.

  • East County
  • Sports
Mika Elovaara (center) high-fives two of his players during prematch warmups with the Richmond Kickers. The Oulu, Finland native and UNC Wilmington alumnus will guide the Paradise into USL League One in 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 15, 2025
Sarasota Paradise names head coach for their first professional season

Former Richmond Kickers lead assistant Mika Elovaara brings his expertise to spearhead a new era.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kingston Kokoefer poses for a photo on Oct. 13 at Out-of-Door Academy. He cut multiple Seffner Christian drives short in their Oct. 10 matchup as the Thunder held off the 39.5-points-per-game Crusaders for a sixth straight win.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 14, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kingston Kokoefer

The sophomore safety had two interceptions in The Out-of-Door Academy football's Week 9 win over Seffner Christian.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kora Yanes (center) of Lakewood Ranch girls' volleyball gets into her stance before a point during an Oct. 9 match at Palmetto. The senior outside hitter/right setter has over 200 kills for the second straight year.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch girls volleyball team has look of tournament contender

Entering districts this week, the Mustangs look the part of a true regional contender.

  • East County
  • Sports
Will Thomas follows through on an approach shot at the Qdoba Tournament of Champions on Oct. 3 in Davenport. The sophomore is in his first year on varsity for the new-look Mustangs.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team looking to take the next step

After placing second in the state the past two years, the Mustangs have high hopes despite heavy graduation losses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Adalynn Lund poses for a photo during an Oct. 6 practice at Lakewood Ranch High School. The sophomore has been crucial up front for the 15-win Mustangs entering the final week of the regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 7, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Adalynn Lund

The sophomore setter/middle blocker has contributed heavily on both the block and attack for Lakewood Ranch girls' volleyball

  • East County
  • Sports
Allen Clark (left), Edouard Chaput (center) and Cameron Yates (right) line up in the backfield. The three featured prominently in Out-of-Door Academy football's commanding win over Faith Christian in Week 8.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 6, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy football rolls forward with multiple offensive threats

The Lakewood Ranch high school has pummeled its opposition en route to a 6-1 record.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brooklyn Cullen follows through on a drive during a Sept. 27 match against Northside Christian at Lakewood National Golf Club. The ODA sophomore won medalist at the SSAA championship earlier this month.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 1, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy girls golf team earns SSAA title as program grows

Thunder sophomore Brooklyn Cullen earns medalist honors with a 71.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore Marley Bowen (left), junior Zoe Zondor (center) and junior Jasmine France (right) of Sarasota girls' cross country run together during a Sept. 29 practice at Payne Park.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 30, 2025
Cross-country runners in Florida learn to take heat in stride

Florida's potent mix of temperature and humidity constitutes an evolving challenge.

  • East County
  • Sports
Molly Lynch poses for a photo after Braden River's comeback attempt against Venice fell short Thursday. She's the only freshman on a varsity roster featuring two underclassmen.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 29, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Molly Lynch

Even in defeat, the outside/middle hitter stood out for Braden River volleyball last Thursday.

  • East County
  • Sports
Devin Mignery stands on the field during Cardinal Mooney football's pregame warm-ups. The senior quarterback is headed to Stanford next fall, but has yet to start in 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 24, 2025
Devin Mignery, amid injuries, commits to Stanford football

The Cardinal Mooney senior quarterback has pushed onward despite multiple setbacks

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The 12-hole course at Calusa Country Club in Lakewood Ranch is pictured. Scheduled to open in November, it's the latest in an emerging trend of shorter courses.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 23, 2025
Golf is forever flawed, but 12-hole courses mark positive movement

Calusa Country Club is a local advocate of the unconventional, emerging format.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Danielle Dube of Lakewood Ranch girls basketball, as of Jan. 5, stood less than 50 points away from 1,000 in her high school career.
  • January 12, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Danielle Dube
2
St. Petersburg's Bob Boguslaw has been in the music business for 50 years with 22 of them being an active member of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band. He said muscle memory comes into play and it brings back an array of memories.
  • January 12, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble hosts 2026 debut concert
3
Crooked River Ranch sits along the Manatee River and is the first property that was recommended by ELMAC and also purchased by the county.
  • January 12, 2026
Conservation, parks referendum could return to Manatee County ballot in 2026
4
Sarasota's Hasan Tezduyar gives a pat of appreciation to Rachel Apple, a wellness associate with Qualliv, at the Health and Wellness Expo at The Mall at University Town Center.
  • January 10, 2026
New Year, New You expo provides health resources at The Mall at UTC
5
The Manatee County commissioners from left to right are Tal Siddique, Carol Felts, George Kruse, Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard, Jason Bearden and Dr. Robert McCann. Siddique, Felts and McCann were newly elected in 2024. Kruse was re-elected.
  • January 8, 2026
'Lectern guy' files to run for Manatee County Commission

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