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Sarasota | Sports

Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author

Shane Rawley, the owner of Shaner's Pizzeria since 1991, has published three fiction novels in his "Peter Cobb" series.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kymistrii Young (left), Elijah Golden (center) and Macaiden Brown (right) listen to coach Jared Clark's speech during Cardinal Mooney's early signing period ceremony.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Cardinal Mooney and Booker football celebrate 11 early signees

National Signing Day was Dec. 3 to mark the beginning of the NCAA's early signing period.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kevontay Hugan (10) and Le'Darien Smith (33) look to their sideline before a play during the regional final between Booker and Nature Coast Tech. The two seniors are part of a Tornado defense which has allowed only three touchdowns in its last six games.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 3, 2025
Department of Defense: Booker High football stands tall

Behind a lock-down defensive unit, the Tornadoes are two wins away from their first state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Samuel Shamsey poses for a photo on Dec. 1 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The striker leads a senior-heavy pack of Cougars for the 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Samuel Shamsey

The senior leads Cardinal Mooney boys soccer in goals scored entering December.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Miles Przekwas stands at midfield between plays during Riverview's matchup with Sumner on Nov. 21 in the FHSAA Class 7A-Region 2 semifinals. He finished his junior season as the team leader in sacks and tackles for loss.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 27, 2025
Not one for noise, Rams defensive/tight end speaks with his game

On a Riverview High football team full of offensive weapons, soft-spoken junior Miles Przekwas was a defensive standout.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brenda Bresciani poses for a photo during a Nov. 24 practice at Sarasota Christian School. Her abilities on both ends of the court have powered the Blazers to a winning start in their 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 26, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Brenda Bresciani

The 6-foot senior forward has posted some staggering numbers for Sarasota Christian girls basketball.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Members of Riverview girls' swimming put up five fingers representing their number of state titles since 2021. For the first time in program history, they've won five in a row.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 20, 2025
Riverview girls swimming wins another state title

The Rams collected 12 medals en route to their fifth straight FHSAA Class 4A state championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota boys' swimming poses for a photo on Nov. 14 at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala after winning the title. From left: Cy Matteson, Jackson Irwin, Adam Malaj, Bogdan Zverev, Daniil Siutsou, Daniel Keegan, Jack Sallee and Andrew Malaj (Charles Shoemaker not pictured).
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 19, 2025
Sarasota High boys swimming returns to glory by winning state title

The Sailors overcame a coaching change to claim their fifth FHSAA state title in six years.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Madison Muller poses for a photo after a Nov. 17 practice at Riverview High School. The record-breaking sophomore will lead the Rams into the FHSAA Class 4A girls' cross country state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 18, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Madison Muller

The sophomore placed first for Riverview girls' cross country at the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Riverview boys/girls and Sarasota boys pose for a photo with their medals and trophies on Nov. 14 at Florida Aquatics Swimming and Training in Ocala. Both programs dominated at the FHSAA Class 4A state championships.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 17, 2025
Riverview girls, Sarasota boys win swimming state titles

The two high school programs both extended their respective reigns in FHSAA Class 4A.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A 200-feet marker and scoreboard are pictured at one of the fields in Twin Lakes Park, the home of Sarasota Little League.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 15, 2025
Little League treasurer charged with theft of more than $200,000

The Sarasota league president tells investigators that vendors first reported debts in July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Marcus Liberty poses for a photo on Nov. 10 at Edgewater Park in Lakewood Ranch. He featured as a forward for the King College Prep boys' basketball team which won the Illinois High School Association’s 1985-86 Class AA state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 13, 2025
Marcus Liberty adds jersey retirement to legacy of impact

The Sarasota resident and former NBA player, now committed to mentorship, sees his jersey raised to the rafters at his alma mater.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The T/S Motorsports / Marine Technology boat piloted by Taylor Scism of Missouri and Johnny Tomlinson of North Miami, Florida passes crowds of spectators on the beach.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 12, 2025
Uncertainty engulfs Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for 2026

The P1 Offshore event celebrated its 40th anniversary here in 2024 but was canceled for 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bogdan Zverev poses for a photo on Nov. 10 after a Sarasota Sharks practice at Selby Aquatic Center. The senior is headed to Alabama next fall, but first, he's playing a major role for Sarasota boys' swimming and diving in pursuit of a state title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 11, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bogdan Zverev

The senior for Sarasota boys' swimming and diving brought home four golds at FHSAA regionals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest in Sarasota

1
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
2
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
3
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall
4
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author
5
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
  • December 4, 2025
SPD set to grow its city camera system

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