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Sarasota | Sports

Johnny Lackaff slips by an opponent during the FHSAA Class 7A-Region 3 semifinals Feb. 21 at Sarasota High School. Whether on the court or on the sidelines, he's consistently found a way to impact the game.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 26, 2026
Star guard returns from injury to steer the Sailors

Johnny Lackaff is back at the helm for Sarasota High boys basketball after a nine-game absence.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Chad Sobotka, a Riverview High graduate, last played for the Atlanta Braves in 2020. He spent parts of three seasons in the MLB as a right-hander.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 25, 2026
A reflection on recent major-leaguers from Sarasota

MLB spring training games began Feb. 20, and in years past, local talents have been active.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Caitlynn Beausoleil is headed to the FHSAA Class 1A girls wrestling state championship March 5-7 to complete her junior season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 24, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Caitlynn Beausoleil

The Booker High junior went from unranked to champion at the FHSAA Class 1A-District 11 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Coach Felix Osuna-Cotto oversees a Feb. 17 practice for Cardinal Mooney wrestling. He helped found the program last year, and in Year 2, the Cougars are poised to have multiple state qualifiers.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 19, 2026
Onward and upward for Cardinal Mooney wrestling

With individuals underway, the Cougars will soon conclude their second season of competition.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Ashlan Guengerich will return for Sarasota softball this season after helping the Sailors to the FHSAA Class 7A state semifinals as a junior.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 18, 2026
What to know about local prep softball as season begins

The Sarasota area's five teams are back in action this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mateau Dalmau, a senior first baseman/pitcher, has been busy on the base paths for Cardinal Mooney baseball. He's headed to Navy in the fall to compete at the NCAA Division I level.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 17, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Mateu Dalmau

Amid Cardinal Mooney baseball's fiery start, the senior has produced at the plate.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Bobby Bonilla is now a Sarasota resident after 16 years in the bigs. He's a 1997 World Series champion and six-time All-Star, among other accomplishments.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 12, 2026
Bobby Bonilla pays a visit to Visible Men Academy

The former MLB player spoke with students as the school's Visible Man of the Month.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mark Sobolewski has made Riverview's baseball complex at Suncoast Technical College his new stomping grounds. He'll lead the Rams into the 2026 season for his first year as a head coach.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 11, 2026
Sarasota High graduate proudly wears rival colors

Mark Sobolewski seems poised to succeed as new Riverview High baseball coach.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Noah Spenn, a three-sport athlete at Sarasota Christian, is busy playing football or volleyball when he's not hooping on the hardwood.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 10, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Noah Spenn

The junior forward powered Sarasota Christian boys basketball to a district title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota residents Erma and Dave Miller were drawn into the world of bicycle motocross because of their son, Doug Miller, and have spent decades in the sport.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 5, 2026
Sarasota couple stand side by side with BMX

Involved for nearly 50 years, Dave and Erma Miller have impacted the sport locally and beyond.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Davin Davidson reeled in 20 offers from NCAA Division I FBS programs from Jan. 20 through 31.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 4, 2026
Cardinal Mooney quarterback's recruitment takes off

The demand for Davin Davidson is overdue following a triumphant junior season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sutton Odegard is the 2026 FHSAA Class 3A-Region 6 champion in Olympic style for the 119-pound weight class.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 3, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Sutton Odegard

For the first time, the senior for Riverview girls weightlifting is headed to states.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Urban Meyer started the 'Real Life Wednesdays' career-development program at Florida, carried it to Ohio State and has now translated it to Sarasota's high school football scene.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 29, 2026
Urban Meyer makes mentor move with The Urban Edge

The three-time college football national champion will expand the Sarasota-based program in its second year.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
As Sarasota baseball seeks success under first-year coach Sterling Pell, it will have senior right-hander Cesar Garmendia back on the mound. He posted a sparkling 1.02 ERA in 2025 across 12 appearances.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 28, 2026
What to know about local prep baseball as season approaches

The FHSAA regular season begins Feb. 9, but preseason classic tournaments will be underway even sooner.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Elizabeth Lawson of Sarasota was recently crowned the FHSAA Class 3A-District 11 champion for the 169-pound weight class in both styles.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 27, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Elizabeth Lawson

The senior for Sarasota girls weightlifting swept her weight class at districts.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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