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Sports

Blake Roulund was a defensive end/middle linebacker for Cardinal Mooney football as a junior. He committed to wrestling full-time for his senior year, forfeiting a chance to be part of a football state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 12, 2026
Cardinal Mooney senior succeeds in changing sports

Blake Roulund left football behind and promptly became a state finalist in wrestling.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Sarasota Paradise huddle before the second half against AC Boise. The team previously played in USL League Two for the past three seasons and finished first in the South Florida division for 2024 and 2025.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 11, 2026
Sarasota Paradise poised to unite soccer community

The professional soccer club plays out of Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch but should loom large in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Yvette Brown directs the offense for Booker girls basketball Feb. 27 against DeSoto County in the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship. The Tornadoes outscored regional competition by an average of 31 points per game, but lost by 33 in the state semifinals.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 11, 2026
Another season ends in state semifinals for Booker girls basketball

The Tornadoes again knocked on the door of a state championship berth but, like in years past, ultimately fell short.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Sarasota Paradise waited out a nearly two-hour weather delay before commencing their first season in USL League One. Over 2,500 fans packed the stands at Premier Sports Campus.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 11, 2026
Sarasota Paradise drop professional debut to AC Boise, 1-0

The Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club played its first match in USL League One.

  • East County
  • Sports
Senior Jaden Morales (top) controls Middleburg junior Nathan Harvey (bottom). The Pirate won their match by decision, 6-4, and ultimately placed sixth at 126 pounds.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 10, 2026
Braden River High wrestlers earn five medals at state meet

Jacob Fuentes tops the Pirates with a second-place finish at 144 pounds in 2A action.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gemma Mulhollen boasts a 4-0 record for Sarasota softball through the team's first five games of 2026. As of March 8, the junior has thrown seven times as many strikeouts as earned runs allowed.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 10, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Gemma Mulhollen

The junior has been dominant in the circle early this season for Sarasota softball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Leighton Paul holds team-high marks for batting average, runs and hits through the first six games of the Pirates' 2026 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 9, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Leighton Paul

With red-hot hitting, the junior has been an offensive force for Braden River High softball.

  • East County
  • Sports
Coach Ty Bryant cuts down the net Feb. 27 after Booker girls basketball's FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship. The Tornadoes have now reached the state semifinals in four of six seasons under his direction.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 5, 2026
Booker girls basketball rallies behind midseason turnaround

The Tornadoes struggled early in 2025-26 but corrected course and are headed to the state semifinals.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Junior Freedom McDaniel of the 215-pound weight class is one of eight Braden River wrestlers headed to the FHSAA individual state championships. He's also one of three who have won both regional and district crowns this postseason.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 4, 2026
Braden River High wrestling qualifies eight for state championships

The Pirates matched their all-time program record, which was set last season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Greg Dauer is the most productive sophomore on the Sailors' roster. Only junior guard Johnny Lackaff and senior forward David Young average more points per game than him.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 4, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Greg Dauer

As the game's leading scorer, the sophomore guard powered Sarasota boys basketball to a regional title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Forward Chase Koski (86) and defenseman Jackson Ellis (4) celebrate a goal Feb. 6 for Lakewood Ranch boys hockey in the Lightning High School Hockey League's title game. The Mustangs have become the premier high school-level team for skaters in the region.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 3, 2026
Olympic success for USA Hockey will translate to Sarasota and Manatee counties

Even more enthusiasm for hockey is coming to an area where the sport is already on the rise.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cooper Pote has already been a shortstop, center fielder, third baseman and pitcher this season for the Thunder. At the plate, his contributions have been second-to-none among his teammates.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • March 2, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Cooper Pote

The sophomore has been busy in the batter's box for The Out-of-Door Academy.

  • East County
  • 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
Junior guard Anthony Bailey (center) was one of several players who couldn't find their offensive groove in Braden River's season-ending loss Feb. 20 to St. Petersburg.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 25, 2026
Season ends for Braden River boys basketball in regional semifinals

With 23 victories, the Pirates had their winningest season since 2011-12.

  • East County
  • Sports
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