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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
Mika Elovaara (center) high-fives two of his players during prematch warmups with the Richmond Kickers. The Oulu, Finland native and UNC Wilmington alumnus will guide the Paradise into USL League One in 2026.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 15, 2025
Sarasota Paradise names head coach for their first professional season

Former Richmond Kickers lead assistant Mika Elovaara brings his expertise to spearhead a new era.

  • East County
  • Sports
Connail Jackson poses for a photo on Oct. 14 at Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The junior running back paced the Cardinal Mooney offense last Friday, accounting for four of the Cougars' five touchdowns.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 15, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Connail Jackson

The junior running back had four touchdowns and over 200 rushing yards in Cardinal Mooney's Week 8 victory over Lakewood

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Kingston Kokoefer poses for a photo on Oct. 13 at Out-of-Door Academy. He cut multiple Seffner Christian drives short in their Oct. 10 matchup as the Thunder held off the 39.5-points-per-game Crusaders for a sixth straight win.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 14, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Kingston Kokoefer

The sophomore safety had two interceptions in The Out-of-Door Academy football's Week 9 win over Seffner Christian.

  • East County
  • Sports
Kora Yanes (center) of Lakewood Ranch girls' volleyball gets into her stance before a point during an Oct. 9 match at Palmetto. The senior outside hitter/right setter has over 200 kills for the second straight year.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch girls volleyball team has look of tournament contender

Entering districts this week, the Mustangs look the part of a true regional contender.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jordyn Byrd is pictured during Florida's match against Baylor on Sept. 14 at Exactech Arena. The redshirt sophomore outside hitter is playing her first collegiate season after transferring from Texas.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 9, 2025
Jordyn Byrd surges and smashes with Florida women's volleyball

The Sarasota native and Cardinal Mooney graduate has become the go-to outside hitter for the Gators.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Riverview volleyball's Jason Mocherman looks on during a match. The third-year coach previously led the program to the 2024 FHSAA Class 7A regional quarterfinals.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 8, 2025
Columnist reflects on Sarasota-area girls volleyball as playoffs near

The Observer's sports columnist shares his thoughts on the volleyball teams at Cardinal Mooney, Riverview, Sarasota Christian, Sarasota and Booker high schools following the regular season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Will Thomas follows through on an approach shot at the Qdoba Tournament of Champions on Oct. 3 in Davenport. The sophomore is in his first year on varsity for the new-look Mustangs.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 8, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High boys golf team looking to take the next step

After placing second in the state the past two years, the Mustangs have high hopes despite heavy graduation losses.

  • East County
  • Sports
Adalynn Lund poses for a photo during an Oct. 6 practice at Lakewood Ranch High School. The sophomore has been crucial up front for the 15-win Mustangs entering the final week of the regular season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 7, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Adalynn Lund

The sophomore setter/middle blocker has contributed heavily on both the block and attack for Lakewood Ranch girls' volleyball

  • East County
  • Sports
Evan Booth poses for a photo on Oct. 2 before a match at Sara Bay Country Club. The senior put together a standout performance at the West Coast H.S. Championship, finishing third individually.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 7, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Evan Booth

The senior for Sarasota boys' golf placed third at the South Florida PGA West Coast H.S. Championship

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Allen Clark (left), Edouard Chaput (center) and Cameron Yates (right) line up in the backfield. The three featured prominently in Out-of-Door Academy football's commanding win over Faith Christian in Week 8.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 6, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy football rolls forward with multiple offensive threats

The Lakewood Ranch high school has pummeled its opposition en route to a 6-1 record.

  • East County
  • Sports
Toryeon James (21) of Riverview football sprints down the sideline en route to a touchdown against Sarasota. The junior ran for nearly 300 yards in the team's Week 6 defeat of its longtime rival.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 2, 2025
Backfield beasts: Riverview's running backs guide undefeated start

Toryeon James and Isaiah Belt of Riverview football combined for seven touchdowns in their latest showing against Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Vito Sgroi poses for a photo before a Sept. 30 practice at Selby Aquatic Center. The senior for Riverview boys' swimming & diving is one of the program's most recent Division I talents.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 1, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Vito Sgroi

The senior for Riverview boys' swimming & diving committed to Arizona last month

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
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1
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points
2
Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
  • December 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football headed to state championship
3
A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift
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Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police
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  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota Concert Association presents the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

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