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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
Sophomore midfielder Jordynn Roberts (left) aims for the ball at the feet of freshman defender Caroline Foster (right) during an Oct. 23 practice. After scoring 16 goals in her first year with Braden River, Roberts is back for more.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 29, 2025
With questions in net, BRHS girls soccer answers with scorers aplenty

The Braden River Pirates enter 2025-26 with their top three point leaders back from last season's regional finalist.

  • East County
  • Sports
Dru Hershberger poses for a photo on Oct. 28 at Selby Aquatic Center before a practice with Sarasota Sharks. The freshman won gold for Sarasota Christian in the 500-meter freestyle at the FHSAA Class 1A District 8 championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 28, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Dru Hershberger

The freshman for Sarasota Christian girls' swimming & diving brought home gold on Oct. 25 at the FHSAA Class 1A District 8 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Zoe Gruber poses for a photo on Oct. 27 at Selby Aquatic Center during an afternoon practice with Sarasota Sharks. The junior racked up a team-high three gold medals at districts to guide the Thunder to a first-place finish.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 28, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Zoe Gruber

Winning four medals, the junior dominated for Out-of-Door Academy girls' swimming & diving on Oct. 25 at the FHSAA Class 1A District 8 championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Everett Whiten Jr. watches his chip shot approach the hole on Oct. 22 at The Concession Golf Club. The 24-year-old native of Chesapeake, Virginia, won the 2025 Billy Horschel Invitational.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 27, 2025
Billy Horschel Invitational shows why The Concession is ready for a greater future

The Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour event was held Oct. 20-22 at the Lakewood Ranch-based golf club.

  • East County
  • Sports
Elijah Golden poses for a photo on Oct. 17 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. After seasons with King George (VA) and IMG Academy, he's found a home with Cardinal Mooney, and has helped the squad to the state's No. 1 overall ranking.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 23, 2025
4-star recruit buoys a power defense for Cardinal Mooney football

Senior defensive end Elijah Golden is bound for Notre Dame in the spring following his second season with the Cougars.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Junior Max Taken and sophomore Carter Atwood of Berkeley Prep are on the tail of senior Tyren Wortham of Booker High School.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 22, 2025
More than just talent has produced winning Booker football

The Tornadoes have hit their stride at 7-1 entering Week 10 by embodying "mutuality."

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Brooke Pavek (left) and Xochitl Napoles (right) skate down the path at Nathan Benderson Park on Oct. 18. Both will be active in this year's marathon.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 22, 2025
Florida Inline Skating Marathon celebrates fifth anniversary in Sarasota

The Nov. 8 event at Nathan Benderson Park will be the largest marathon of its kind in the state.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jasmine France poses for a photo before a team practice on Oct. 21 at Sarasota High School. The junior nearly broke 20 minutes in her three-mile race last weekend to pace the Sailors.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 21, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jasmine France

The junior for Sarasota girls' cross country placed third in the Out-of-Door Invitational as the Sailors took top honors.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The new aquatics complex at Premier Sports Campus is expected to open in the fall of 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 21, 2025
Premier aquatics complex construction stirs excitement among local swim clubs

The Lakewood Ranch Swim Association Lightning and Sarasota Tsunami are hoping to find a home at the new competition pool.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kenny DeStefano poses for a photo before an Oct. 20 team practice. The junior was one of three Mustangs to place in the top five at the Out-of-Door Invitational on Oct. 18, and one of five to crack the top 10.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 20, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kenny DeStefano

The junior for Lakewood Ranch boys' cross-country posted the best time among all Mustangs to finish second individually at the Out-of-Door Invitational.

  • East County
  • Sports
Wes Wilcox (center) goes under the rim searching for a tough bucket during a game between his team, Kari's Face Painting, and Bretz Chiro on Oct. 6 at Longwood Park gym.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 16, 2025
Wes Wilcox is back in basketball and breaking records in Bunker League

The 6-foot-8, 39-year-old broke the Sarasota league's scoring record while playing organized basketball for the first time in five years.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Larry Greenspon (left) and Paul Lederman (right) pose for a photo before a lesson on Oct. 10 at SunCourt Sports. Greenspon had a vision for the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee to create a junior tennis program for underserved youth in the area.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 15, 2025
SunCourt Sports stands out in a region crowded with country clubs

The new sports community, directed by Paul Lederman, opened Oct. 15 at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
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