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Sarasota | Sports

Vance Freeman became the 10th different state champion in Sarasota boys weightlifting program history May 7. The senior hit all three of his lifts in the bench press to secure gold.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 14, 2026
Sarasota High lifter crowned at state championship

Vance Freeman won an individual state title to conclude his high school weightlifting career with the Sailors.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Daryl Cherry (left) and Jamar Byrd (right) battle with a medicine ball during practice. Byrd, at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, was an offensive/defensive lineman as a sophomore in 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 13, 2026
Uphill climb coming for Booker football

After graduating the most talented class in program history, the Tornadoes will have to build back this fall.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kaleb Exume has taken his talents from Parrish Community to Cardinal Mooney football for his senior season this fall. But beyond the gridiron, he's dominated in the weight room.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 12, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kaleb Exume

Competing in the unlimited weight class, the Cardinal Mooney junior placed second at the FHSAA Class 1A boys weightlifting state championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ben Milliken is the all-time leading passer in program history for Sarasota Christian football. Now, he's the first Blazer headed to an NCAA Division I program.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 7, 2026
Sarasota Christian quarterback caps legacy with history-making commitment

Ben Milliken, who originally signed with Southeastern University, flipped to Furman and became the Blazers' first Division I commit.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dick Vitale, even amid his battle with melanoma, kept the focus of his 21st annual gala in Sarasota on helping kids fight — and beat — cancer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 6, 2026
Dick Vitale reminds us, once more, pediatric cancer research matters

The $21 million raised at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala represents a major victory for an ever-important cause.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Noelle Tenaglia is headed to the FHSAA Class 4A track and field state championship May 9 at Jacksonville's Hodges Stadium alongside relay teammates Kenna Borras, Ella Dabringhaus and Madison Muller.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 5, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Noelle Tenaglia

The senior led Riverview's 3,200-meter relay team to victory at the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota baseball players watch from their dugout during the FHSAA Class 7A-Region 2 quarterfinal April 24 against Plant City. Despite holding the No. 2 seed, the Sailors went one-and-done in the regional tournament.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 30, 2026
Winning season comes to an early end for Sarasota High baseball

Bats go quiet as the Sailors exit in the first round of regional tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Coach Jared Clark shows off his 2023 (left) and 2025 (right) state championship rings. He's guided Cardinal Mooney to a 52-22 record since taking over ahead of the 2020 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 29, 2026
New bling signals new beginning for Cardinal Mooney football

The Cougars received their state championship rings ahead of spring ball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Cale Zeltwanger has been with the Blazers' boys volleyball program since its inception ahead of the 2024 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 28, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Cale Zeltwanger

The junior for Sarasota Christian boys volleyball has stuffed the stats sheet this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Zach Johnson hits a sand shot during the Senior PGA Championship, which last week, became the first senior major golf tournament contested in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 23, 2026
Pro golf has disappeared from Sarasota

Despite the PGA's strong presence in Lakewood Ranch, this area hasn't hosted a tournament since 2017.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Stewart Cink (left) embraces his caddie after winning the Senior PGA Championship on April 19 at The Concession Golf Club. It marked his first major title on the PGA Tour Champions.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 22, 2026
PGA of America, The Concession reflect on Senior PGA Championship

It was the first senior major golf tournament in Lakewood Ranch, and is scheduled to return for 2027 and 2028.

  • East County
  • Sports
Layla Obaseki is a newcomer to Riverview girls track and field, and already has two district titles under her belt.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 21, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Layla Obaseki

The Riverview freshman won two events at the FHSAA Class 4A-District 12 track and field meet.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bernhard Langer reads the 10th green before attempting a putt. The 47-time winner on the PGA Tour Champions and two-time Masters Tournament champion shot six under par in his opening round.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 16, 2026
Senior PGA Championship tees off at The Concession Golf Club

Bernhard Langer is one of four golfers tied for the lead after the first round.

  • East County
  • Sports
Midfielder/attacker Kaitlin Carolan (right) speeds past a Saint Stephen's Episcopal player during the FHSAA Class 1A-District 10 semifinals on April 10. She's one of three sophomores who lead the Cougars in scoring this season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 16, 2026
Led by sophomores, Cardinal Mooney girls lacrosse hunts history

The Cougars boast their most single-season wins ever as the postseason begins.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Nishesh Basavareddy extends for a backhand return. The 20-year-old American was one of the biggest rising talents who competed at this year's Sarasota Open from April 5-12 at IMG Academy.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota Open finally finds the right home

The ATP Challenger Tour event was held at IMG Academy this year after six different stops since its 2008 debut.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Latest in Sarasota

1
It's high school graduation season again in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
  • May 19, 2026
It's high school graduation season again in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
2
Work is winding down in the first phase of the Phillippi Creek dredging project.
  • May 19, 2026
Work wraps up on first segment of Phillippi Creek dredging
3
Daniel Sanchez, Christopher Schrum and Griffin Shay head onto the field.
  • May 19, 2026
Another record graduation rate at Sarasota High School
4
Students toss their caps as the status of graduation is conferred.
  • May 19, 2026
Riverview High School students take the next step
5
Anesha Green (center) celebrates with her mother, Shemere Green, and father, Cedric Green.
  • May 19, 2026
Booker High School celebrates hundreds of seniors

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