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East County | Sports

Coach Cezar Sharbono talks his players through drills during practice. He's entering his sixth season at the helm of the Braden River wrestling program.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 26, 2025
Braden River High wrestling hopes to build on record-setting 2024-25 season

The Pirates sent eight wrestlers to the state tourney last year and are seeking their first-ever girls place-winner.

  • East County
  • Sports
With seven goals and one assist through five games, Avery Rice has already made a winning impact for undefeated Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 25, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Avery Rice

The sophomore has found the net early and often with Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vinny Mercadante tosses a lacrosse ball and holds his stick at Summerfield Community Park in Lakewood Ranch. He played for Cardinal Mooney in 2016-18, Marian University in 2018-19 and Florida State in 2021-23 but has since committed to coaching.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 24, 2025
Cardinal Mooney grad builds his own lacrosse training school

At just 25, Vinny Mercadante is quickly becoming a premier private lacrosse coach, one of the few in the state.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ryan Waldschmidt runs the bases during a spring training game with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was selected No. 31 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Kentucky, and now ranks as the organization's No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 19, 2025
Braden River High graduate blazes a path toward MLB

Ryan Waldschmidt, a 23-year-old outfielder, was named the Arizona Diamondbacks' Minor League Player of the Year.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kaden Knott challenges his players during a practice-opening hustle drill. The first-year coach is tasked with leading the Mustangs to their first winning season since 2021-22.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Coach brings high energy and intensity to Lakewood Ranch boys basketball

The former Florida State graduate assistant looks the part of a program-changing leader.

  • East County
  • Sports
Broden Beorlegui poses for a photo before a Nov. 17 practice at Lakewood Ranch High School. He led the Mustangs in goals and assists during the 2024-25 season en route to an FHSAA Class 6A regional finals berth.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 17, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Broden Beorlegui

The senior forward/midfielder is off to a hot start with the Mustangs, contributing seven goals in four games.

  • East County
  • Sports
Taryn Nguyen gets ready to tee off at Heritage Isles Golf and Country Club on Nov. 5 in the regional tournament. She tied for 12th, which qualified her for a fourth-straight state tournament berth.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 12, 2025
Braden River High senior golfer etches a legacy of consistency

Taryn Nguyen heads to the state tournament again after winning her fourth consecutive district title.

  • East County
  • Sports
Donovan Plakyda poses for a photo on Oct. 27 with the FHSAA Class 3A District 11 trophy. The junior has dropped 14 strokes in an 18-hole format since his freshman season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Donovan Plakyda

The junior for Lakewood Ranch boys' golf tied for fourth at the FHSAA Class 3A Region 3 championship on Nov. 4 as the Mustangs advanced to the state tournament.

  • East County
  • Sports
Premier Sports Campus has brought top soccer competitions to Lakewood Ranch over the years.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 10, 2025
US Soccer might be gone, but Lakewood Ranch remains a soccer destination

Premier Sports Campus once hosted the U-17 Men's National Team, but a national training facility in Georgia has changed the complex's focus.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kevin Gyurka poses for a photo on Oct. 31 at Out-of-Door Academy's Thunder Stadium. The senior long-distance runner has won two races in the 2025 cross country season, and boasts five top-10 finishes in seven meets.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 5, 2025
Prominent ODA runner approaches his career finish line

Senior Kevin Gyurka has put his stamp on three Out-of-Door Academy sports programs.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch's offensive line prepares to snap the ball against Bayshore during its Oct. 30 regular-season finale. The Mustangs still have yet to notch back-to-back winning seasons since 2010-11.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 4, 2025
Braden River, Lakewood Ranch football programs still searching for key to success

Both the Pirates and the Mustangs finished 2025 with losing records.

  • East County
  • Sports
Addison Shear poses for a photo on Nov. 3 before a Lakewood Ranch girls' cross country practice. The junior broke her 5K personal record by 54 seconds at the Tri-County Championships on Nov. 1.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 3, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Addison Shear

Smashing her personal record, the junior for Lakewood Ranch girls' cross country posted the team's best finish at the Tri-County Championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore midfielder Jordynn Roberts (left) aims for the ball at the feet of freshman defender Caroline Foster (right) during an Oct. 23 practice. After scoring 16 goals in her first year with Braden River, Roberts is back for more.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 29, 2025
With questions in net, BRHS girls soccer answers with scorers aplenty

The Braden River Pirates enter 2025-26 with their top three point leaders back from last season's regional finalist.

  • East County
  • Sports
Zoe Gruber poses for a photo on Oct. 27 at Selby Aquatic Center during an afternoon practice with Sarasota Sharks. The junior racked up a team-high three gold medals at districts to guide the Thunder to a first-place finish.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 28, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Zoe Gruber

Winning four medals, the junior dominated for Out-of-Door Academy girls' swimming & diving on Oct. 25 at the FHSAA Class 1A District 8 championship.

  • 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
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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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