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Sports

Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 7, 2026
Big questions for Sarasota sports in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for this area's sports enthusiasts to be intrigued about the year ahead.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch junior goaltender James Devriendt (33) gets some postgame kudos from senior defenseman Jackson Ellis (4). Devriendt's .878 save percentage and 2.05 goals against average through 13 games are both career-best marks on a Mustangs team that has done nothing but win in 2025-26.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High boys hockey team turns heads with unbeaten streak

The Mustangs have won all their games in the Lightning High School Hockey League.

  • East County
  • Sports
Bronwyn Leggett poses for a photo before a Jan. 5 practice at Riverview High School. She's deep into her second season as the full-time starter between the posts for the Rams.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 6, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Bronwyn Leggett

The junior goalkeeper has been a stalwart in net for Riverview girls soccer.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Gaby Bichanich, as a freshman, entered winter break as ODA girls basketball's leading scorer.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 6, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Gaby Bichanich

The freshman guard powers The Out-of-Door Academy girls basketball team on offense.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Concession Golf Club Majority Owner Bruce Cassidy and General Manager Brian Weimann will be the key players in the club hosting the 2026, 2027 and 2028 Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • January 5, 2026
Impactful moments loom for East County's sports landscape in 2026

There's plenty of reasons for local sports enthusiasts to be excited about the year ahead.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney football players gather for photos after winning the 2025 FHSAA Class 2A state championship over Jacksonville Bolles. On Dec. 10, the Cougars became champions of Florida for the second time in three years.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 30, 2025
The top 10 Sarasota sports moments of 2025

Reflecting on a year of championships, standout athletes and more across the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kali Barrett poses for a photo. The freshman forward with Cincinnati women's basketball previously helped Cardinal Mooney to the 2025 FHSAA Class 3A state championship following the Cougars' four consecutive runner-up finishes.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 29, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Year: Kali Barrett

The former Cardinal Mooney girls basketball star became the program's all-time leading scorer while helping the Cougars to their first state title.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview High baseball player-mentors pose for a photo on Dec. 9 with their kindergarten mentees at Southside Elementary School. Danielle Sobolewski, a kindergarten teacher at Southside, asked for some silly faces.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 25, 2025
Riverview High baseball mentors next generation

The Rams' longtime partnership with Southside Elementary School is centered around learning, fun and building connections.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Livia Zamperlini-Ramos (left), Anna Chop (center) and Bailey Loring (right) share some joy while singing "Last Christmas."
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch wrestlers give back to their community through caroling

The Mustangs traded singlets for singing at Cypress Springs Gracious Retirement Living.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cardinal Mooney girls basketball fans cheer from the stands at RP Funding Center in Lakeland. They witnessed the Cougars bring home the first state championship in program history last season, and now, can watch the team vie for a holiday tournament title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 24, 2025
Holiday hoops make for a merry time

The area's high school basketball teams will travel across the state and beyond for tournament play.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Yvette Brown poses for a photo on Dec. 11 next to the trophy case by Booker's gym. Through the first six games of the Tornadoes' season, she led in points, rebounds and steals.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 23, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Yvette Brown

The senior guard has put her stamp on a winning start for Booker girls basketball.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 23, 2025
East Manatee County high school athletes of 2025

The Observer sports columnist reflects on the area's champions, record-breakers and competitors who stood above all others.

  • East County
  • Sports
Andrew Carrillo poses for a photo on Dec. 16 at Out-of-Door Academy. He's been the go-to guy on attack for the Thunder throughout their 2025-26 season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 22, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Andrew Carrillo

The senior midfielder/forward is the leading scorer for The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer through nine games.

  • East County
  • Sports
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2025
New north Sarasota park draws major collegiate softball tournament

Six Division 1 softball programs will participate in the inaugural Sarasota College Softball Classic in early 2027.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch senior forward Gabriel Lara (11) chases after the ball during a Dec. 15 game against Braden River.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • December 17, 2025
LRHS's boys soccer team races to an unbeaten start through 10 games

The Mustangs reached the regional finals in 2024-25 but want to go further this season.

  • East County
  • Sports
« 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 »
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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