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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
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
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Latest News

1
Hospital system expands prenatal care access for expecting mothers in need
  • February 4, 2026
Hospital system expands prenatal care access for expecting mothers in need
2
Herb Methodology co-owner Tryla Brown Larson celebrates the launch of her line of locally made products at Longboat Key's Design 2000 Salon on Jan. 29.
  • February 4, 2026
Herb Methodology launches at Design 2000
3
Davin Davidson reeled in 20 offers from NCAA Division I FBS programs from Jan. 20 through 31.
  • February 4, 2026
Cardinal Mooney quarterback's recruitment takes off
4
Golf pro Stephen Arnold succeeded in his goal of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to benefit families involved with First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
  • February 4, 2026
Golfing feat makes a difference for area families
5
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

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