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Sports

The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Alex Horan pitched a complete game, leading the Thunder to a Class 2A-District 11 title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
ODA captures district title

The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team defeated Shorecrest Prep 1-0 to win the Class 2A-District 11 championship April 29. Also, Lakewood Ranch finished as the Class 4A-District 10 runner-up.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
Semifinals present challenge

I'm a journalist. I take notes and photographs. What I don't take are sides. However, I'm not afraid to admit then when covering a game, I have a tendency to, internally and silently, pull for the home team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lakewood Ranch High's Kristin Zarrella, Devin McDermott, Michelle Last and Olivia Ortiz
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
Just the Stats 5.05.11

See the Observer's by-the-numbers breakdown of the week in East County sports.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rhoda Tanui
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Rhoda Tanui (VIDEO)

Fifteen-year-old East County resident Rhoda Tanui returned from a shoulder injury to win the Girls 18 Spring Super Series Tennis Tournament April 23-24 at Countryside Golf & Tennis Club in Clearwater.

  • East County
  • Sports
Alex Long
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
OBSERVER TEAM SPOTLIGHT: Alex Long

Each week, The East County Observer will introduce one player from the Lakewood Ranch Little League Observer team.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 4, 2011
SPORTS BRIEFS

Pirates outfielder signs with HCC; Distance squad anchors Lady Mustangs; and Wave Runners post impressive results.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 3, 2011
Ranch's Premier to host national tryouts

The Clearwater Chargers and the Premier Sports Campus of Lakewood Ranch invite soccer players to the United States Soccer Federation Development Academy tryouts from 6-8:30 p.m., May 4, at the campus in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2011
Wave Runners post impressive results

The Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners sent 23 swimmers to the St. Petersburg Aquatics Long Course Meet April 15-16.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Out-of-Door Academy sophomore Alex Horan pitched a complete game, leading the Thunder to a district title.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 3, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: District Baseball Tournament

The Out-of-Door Academy captured its second district title in three years with a 1-0 victory over Shorecrest Prep in the Class 2A-District 11 championship game April 28. In Class 4A-District 10, Lakewood Ranch defeated rival Braden River 6-2 in the district semifinals April 27. The Mustangs went on to finish as the district runner-up with a 5-4 loss to Seminole Osceola April 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 2, 2011
Distance squad anchors Lady Mustangs to regional runner-up finish

The Lakewood Ranch High girls track team won all four of the distance events at the Class 3A-Region 3 meet April 28 at Charlotte High, propelling the Lady Mustangs to a second-place finish.

  • East County
  • Sports
IMG Soccer Academy goalkeeper Mike Mitchell saves a shot by RSL Florida's Jake Frahm.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 2, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup Challenge Round of 16

More than 4,000 soccer players and their families from across the state converged for the Florida Youth Soccer Association State Cup Challenge Round of 16 April 30 through May 1 at the new Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch. Sixty-four teams ranging in age from U15 to U18 competed in the tournament, which was hosted by the Clearwater Chargers.

  • East County
  • Sports
Twelve ladies from the Longboat Key Club were guests of the Welch Family Foundation.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • May 1, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: First Step of Sarasota 7th Annual Golf Classic

More than 100 golfers and volunteers spent a fun-filled day on the green during First Step of Sarasota's 7th Annual Golf Classic April 29 at the Legacy Golf Club. Players enjoyed a continental breakfast before hitting the course for a round of golf. Once they were done playing, participants gathered together for a buffet-style lunch, silent auction and raffles and a helicopter ball drop.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Charlie Morse and Bill Robinson won the Puttin on the Ritz tournament last year.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2011
PHOTO GALLERY: Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Puttin on the Ritz

Dozens of members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance showed off their putting skills during the organization's annual Puttin on the Ritz event April 29. Members and their guests enjoyed a lunch and silent auction before hitting the course at The Ritz-Carlton Member's Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch. A trophy was awarded to the winning team and the winner of the putting contest received a new putter valued at $100.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Lady Pirates celebrate after making school history with a win over rival Lakewood Ranch in the regional semifinals April 29.
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 30, 2011
Lady Pirates rally to advance to finals (VIDEO)

The Braden River High softball team scored six unanswered runs to defeat rival Lakewood Ranch 6-4 in the Class 4A-Region 3 semifinals April 29.

  • East County
  • Sports
    By
  • Jen Blanco
  • April 29, 2011
ODA wins district crown

Lucas Friss hit a game-winning double to right field in the top of the seventh inning, propelling The Out-of-Door Academy baseball team to a 1-0 victory over Shorecrest Prep in the Class 2A-District 11 championship April 28.

  • East County
  • Sports
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