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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
Sophie Bell had never rowed until middle school. From May 16-17, she'll return to the place where her career started, now a sophomore competing at the NCAA Division I level.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 13, 2026
Local rower-turned-Division I athlete returns to area for Big 12 Championships

Old Dominion's Sophie Bell, a Lakewood Ranch High graduate, will be competing at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • 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
Rick Farmer carries plenty of experience calling plays on defense, but his new role leading the Pirates represents his first head-coaching appointment in high school football.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 12, 2026
No time to waste for new Braden River High football coach

Rick Farmer, the team's former defensive coordinator, was hired on the first day of spring practice.

  • East County
  • Sports
Brooks Bartram improved his fastball velocity from 84 miles per hour in September 2025 to 94 mph by February. Now, he'll play NCAA Division II baseball in the fall.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 11, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooks Bartram

After one season with Braden River, the senior right-hander has signed with Eckerd College.

  • East County
  • 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
This fall will be Scott Paravicini's fourth season as the Lakewood Ranch football coach. He's posted a 14-17 record since taking over the program.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 6, 2026
Despite cancer, Lakewood Ranch High coach remains committed to his players

Scott Paravicini wouldn't agree, but his devotion to his team deserves our admiration.

  • East County
  • 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
Sarai Castro gave up on softball in 2023. Now, she's the Pirates' leading hitter in her first season at the high school level.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 5, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Sarai Castro

The freshman center fielder/left fielder led Braden River High softball to a district championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 4, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala raises $21 million for pediatric cancer research

In its 21st year, the gala nearly doubled last year's $12 million total, with Vitale currently battling cancer for the fifth time.

  • East County
  • 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
Tom Izzo has helmed the Spartans since 1995. His tutelage has taken the team to the 2000 national championship, eight Final Fours, six Big Ten tournament titles and 11 Big Ten regular-season titles.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 29, 2026
Legendary Michigan State coach tops lineup at Dick Vitale Gala

Tom Izzo will receive the Dick Vitale Spirit Award at the annual pediatric cancer fundraiser at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • Sports
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St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
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Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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