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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
Brooklyn Cullen follows through on a drive during a Sept. 27 match against Northside Christian at Lakewood National Golf Club. The ODA sophomore won medalist at the SSAA championship earlier this month.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • October 1, 2025
Out-of-Door Academy girls golf team earns SSAA title as program grows

Thunder sophomore Brooklyn Cullen earns medalist honors with a 71.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sophomore Marley Bowen (left), junior Zoe Zondor (center) and junior Jasmine France (right) of Sarasota girls' cross country run together during a Sept. 29 practice at Payne Park.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 30, 2025
Cross-country runners in Florida learn to take heat in stride

Florida's potent mix of temperature and humidity constitutes an evolving challenge.

  • East County
  • Sports
Molly Lynch poses for a photo after Braden River's comeback attempt against Venice fell short Thursday. She's the only freshman on a varsity roster featuring two underclassmen.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • September 29, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Molly Lynch

Even in defeat, the outside/middle hitter stood out for Braden River volleyball last Thursday.

  • East County
  • Sports
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Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
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Keera Herbst, Donn Githens, Kim Verreault and Alexa Olivas help celebrate the opening of the new Longboat Key Goodwill bookstore and donation site on Dec. 18.
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