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East County | Sports

Ariana Perez finished her freshman season with a 10-5 record in singles play out of the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 spots for the Mustangs girls tennis team.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 23, 2025
Lakewood Ranch freshman tennis player faces a fork in the road

Ariana Perez must decide if high school tennis is the best path for her future.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River senior Rhys Klein pitched six shutout innings in a 1-0 district semifinal win over St. Petersburg Hollins on April 15.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 23, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Rhys Klein

The Braden River senior threw six shutout innings in a pivotal district win.

  • East County
  • Sports
Neal Shipley was all smiles after winning the LECOM Suncoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 19, 2025
Shipley wins 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic in five-hole playoff

The 2024 Masters and U.S. Open Low Amateur notched his first pro win in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
Johnny Keefer lines up a putt on No. 18 at Lakewood National during the third round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic on Friday. Keefer shot a 2-under 69 to put him in a tie for 19th place.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 19, 2025
Leaderboard tightens headed into final round of LECOM Suncoast Classic

Twenty-six players are within five strokes of the lead with one round to play at Lakewood National.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jose Fernandez Valdes watches his tee shot on No. 14 at Lakewood National Thursday. He shot 2-under 69 and is tied for the tournament lead through two rounds.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 18, 2025
Leaderboard tightens on cut day at LECOM Suncoast Classic

Jose Fernandez Valdes and Michael Johnson are tied for the lead at 12-under-par.

  • East County
  • Sports
Spencer Levin watches as his ball rolls toward the pin on the par-3 No. 15 at Lakewood National. Levin shot 75.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 17, 2025
Low scores dominate in first round of the LECOM Suncoast Classic

Jorge Fernandez Valdez leads the Korn Ferry Tour event with a 61.

  • East County
  • Sports
Derek Robinson beat out Jonathan Leatt by .02 seconds in the 1,600-meter run in the Manatee County Championships on April 10 at Manatee High School.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 16, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High runners' rivalry fuels success

Derek Robinson and Jonathan Leatt push each other to faster times.

  • East County
  • Sports
Shelley Stone (center) accepts her ODA Athletics Hall of Fame award alongside Head of School Debra Otey and current Athletic Director Andres Parra on April 10.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 16, 2025
The Out-of-Door Academy honors its first Hall of Fame class

Former Athletic Director Shelley Stone helped lead ODA to early success in sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Braden River senior Anthony Dela Cruz placed sixth in the olympic-style lift and eighth in the traditional-style lift in the 119-pound weight class at the 2A boys weightlifting state championships at RP Funding Center in Lakeland on April 11.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 16, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Anthony Dela Cruz

The Braden River senior placed in traditional and olympic lifts at the 2A state championships.

  • East County
  • Sports
A crowd gathers on the No. 18 hole at Lakewood National Golf Club to watch 15-year-old junior golfer Miles Russell play in the 2024 LECOM Suncoast Classic on April 21. Russell finished tied for 20th at 14 under par.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 9, 2025
A golf fan's guide to watching the LECOM Suncoast Classic

Lakewood National offers some challenging shots to Korn Ferry players.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior Savannah Adams placed first in the 800-meter run, first as part of the 4x800 relay team and third as part of the 4x400 relay team on April 3 at the Wally Keller Invite.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Savannah Adams

Lakewood Ranch senior placed first in two track events at the Wally Keller Invite.

  • East County
  • Sports
Andrew Jensen is the fourth head coach of Lakewood Ranch softball in the past four seasons.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch softball team chases a return to its glory days

The Mustangs struggled after losing Coach T.J. Goelz but are showing signs of contending again.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tim Widing gives the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy a kiss. Widing won the tournament in a two-hole playoff against Patrick Cover and Steven Fisk.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 2, 2025
LECOM Suncoast Classic wins have led to mixed PGA Tour results

Byeong Hun An, the 2022 winner, has earned $19,967,667 competing on the PGA Tour.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch freshman Bella Toscano has helped the Mustangs win four straight games to climb back to a .500 record.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 1, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Bella Toscano

Lakewood Ranch freshman has led Mustangs to a four-game win streak.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch sophomore Gigi Canali has scored a team-leading 48 goals in a breakout season.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • April 1, 2025
Lakewood Ranch girls lacrosse players have a secret weapon

The Mustangs are hunting for their first regional playoff appearance.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Latest in East County

1
Three comedians including Bradenton's Tim Boyd will perform at the “Hearts of Hope: A Valentine’s Comedy Night” fundraiser to benefit Harbor 58, Foster the Family, and Bring on the Ministry on Feb. 13.
  • February 6, 2026
Nonprofits to host Valentine's comedy fundraiser in Lakewood Ranch
2
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
3
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
4
Sisterhood for Good members Nikki Pelier-Simon, Samina Morrow and Allison Adams show off some fashions that will be in the spotlight at Tropical Escape July 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch fundraiser is a hula for moolah
5
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres

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