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Sports

Amanda Boswell has taken over a program with a historically high standard. The Cougars won the 2025 FHSAA Class 3A state championship following four consecutive state finalist finishes.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 28, 2026
First-time high-school coach gets comfortable at Cardinal Mooney

Amanda Boswell, with 17 years of coaching experience, is on a new adventure with the Cougars.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Casey Izquierdo's spring with Riverview High football is complete, and now, he looks forward to his junior season starting in the fall.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 26, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Casey Izquierdo

The rising junior cornerback for Riverview High football recently earned his first NCAA Division I offer.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Mason Riley is projected to start at left tackle for an offensive line which coach Rob Hollway believes might be the deepest in program history.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 26, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Mason Riley

With the rising senior offensive/defensive tackle in tow, The Out-of-Door Academy football team ended its spring on a high note.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rising senior quarterback Louisen Desinor will start under center for Braden River High football in the fall. This spring was his opportunity to strengthen bonds with the playmakers around him.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 25, 2026
High school coaches defend relevancy of spring football in Florida

Although it's the only sport allowed to have two separate seasons, coaches say it is an important developmental tool.

  • East County
  • Sports
Leighton Paul (right), pictured here during the FHSAA Class 5A-Region 3 final May 14 against Gulf Coast, was Braden River's leadoff hitter this season. She went 0-for-3 in the state semifinals against Niceville.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 22, 2026
Late rally not enough for Braden River High softball in state semifinals

The Pirates, who won district and regional titles this season, dropped a 2-1 decision to Niceville.

  • East County
  • Sports
Zoë Buller began pole vaulting as a sixth grader. One year later, she's a regional and district champion, ultimately placing eighth at the FHSAA Class 1A track and field state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 21, 2026
These Longboat Key family members have spring in their step

ODA pole vaulter Zoe Buller looks to follow in the footsteps of her parents, who were accomplished track and field athletes.

  • East County
  • Sports
Gia DePastino was one of five seniors on the Sailors' 13-person roster in 2026. She'll play for Warner University at the NAIA level this fall.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 20, 2026
Despite regional final defeat, Sarasota High softball succeeded

The Sailors posted their most wins in over a decade and were district champions this season under a new coach.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Reece McCabe concluded his high school weightlifting career with success on the state level in both Traditional and Olympic style.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 19, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Reece McCabe

The Lakewood Ranch High senior brought home a pair of medals from the FHSAA Class 3A boys weightlifting state championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Cady Jones (left), Sarai Castro (center) and Kaydence Evans (right) celebrate Braden River High softball's first state semifinals berth since 2016. The Pirates are now two wins away from their first state title.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 19, 2026
Tremendous turnaround for Braden River High softball

The Pirates struggled mightily in 2025, but this season has been a much different story.

  • East County
  • Sports
Tyre Smith is in his second year with Sarasota Rugby Club. He switched over from football after competing with Riverview High School and Wittenberg University.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 18, 2026
Sarasota Rugby Club hits the sand

Stepping away from its grass pitch, the club held its first annual 'Siesta 7s' beach rugby tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Entering this season, Braden River softball hadn't won a district title in seven years. The squad is now two wins away from a state championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • May 14, 2026
Braden River High softball advances to state semifinals

With a wire-to-wire effort from Kaydence Evans, the Pirates are FHSAA Class 5A-3 regional champions.

  • East County
  • 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
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1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
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The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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