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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
Joel Morris (center) prepares to receive the snap alongside senior running back/safety Jacobey Mobley (left). The senior quarterback threw for 23 touchdowns and 1,803 yards with no interceptions during the 2025 regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 6, 2025
Resurgent quarterback guides Booker football to dominance

Senior quarterback Joel Morris led the Tornadoes to a 9-1 regular season after suffering a season-ending leg injury in 2024.

  • 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
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 5, 2025
Sarasota Little League's moment of need is bigger than baseball

The league reported a disappearance of over $200,000 from its treasury on Oct. 29 and now needs help from the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Parker Nippert poses for a photo during a Nov. 4 practice. The senior quarterback posted a completion rate higher than 70% for the sixth time this season in a Week 11 win over Manatee.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • November 4, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Parker Nippert

Breaking the Riverview single-season passing record, the senior quarterback led the Rams to an 8-1-1 regular season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Dr. Magdi El Shahawy gives his acceptance speech at the Sarasota High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Oct. 26 at Michael's on East. He's spent over 30 years working in athletic administration, with stints at Florida State, Michigan State, USC, Georgia and, currently, San Diego.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 30, 2025
Former defensive lineman leads group of stars into SHS Hall of Fame

Sarasota High School 1986 graduate Magdi El Shahawy has served as the University of San Diego's associate athletic director for academics after taking time off for family.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota Little League serves boys and girls 4-16 years of age at Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 29, 2025
Sarasota Little League reports disappearance of $200,000

The baseball league president calls the loss a "betrayal" and seeks donations for its spring season as the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office investigates.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Senior midfielder Sofia Sepulveda (10) embraces junior midfielder Emily Simone (16), with junior midfielder Colette Maute (6) and sophomore midfielder Mia Alexander (12) joining in on the celebration. Riverview girls' soccer enters the 2025-26 season as back-to-back district champions.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 29, 2025
Storylines to watch as high school soccer returns to Sarasota

The Cardinal Mooney boys, Riverview girls and Sarasota Christian girls are among the teams with intriguing trajectories for 2025-26.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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