Sports Briefs

By Observer Staff
| 4:00 a.m. July 6, 2011

East County
Sports

+ Two new host tenants sign on at Premier campus
The Manatee County YMCA’s YFL youth tackle football program and the Sarasota Saracens Rugby organization have signed on as the two newest tenants at the Premier Sports Campus of Lakewood Ranch.

The Manatee County YMCA’s YFL youth tackle program and the Sarasota Saracens now join the Lakewood Ranch Lightning Lacrosse League and the Lakewood Ranch Chargers who already call Premier home.

“This fall, on any given day, you will see swarms of kids playing all different sports out at the campus,” said Tim Mulqueen, Lakewood Ranch director of sports.

The Manatee YMCA will use Premier for its fall YFL youth tackle football program. The YFL is a new tackle football program affiliated with American Youth Football. The YFL conference, comprising eight associations, including the Bradenton Buccaneers, the Colts from the Lakewood Ranch branch and the Steelers from the Parrish branch, among others, will bring together teams from across the region to play this fall in Lakewood Ranch.

“The fields at the Lakewood Ranch campus are so unique,” said Frank Gargett, Manatee YMCA tackle football program coordinator. “This is an excellent opportunity for our organization to grow and we are so thankful to the Premier Sports Campus for welcoming us.”

For more information, visit www.manateeymca.org.

The Sarasota Saracens of Lakewood Ranch will begin practice this week at Premier for its adult rugby league for players ages 16-45. The local league is a starting point for players looking to move up through the ranks, including the potential for some players to be named to the Olympic team.

The team will hold practices, tournaments and games from July through February and also plans to create youth programs and clinics.

“Lakewood Ranch is the perfect place for our growing organization,” said Scott Davies, president of the Sarasota Saracens. “There were only a handful of fields in this area for us to use, but now we have this great central location with more fields than we will ever use.”

For more, visit www.sarasotasaracensoflwr.com.

+ Kids golf for free at Stoneybrook course
Stoneybroook Golf Club is letting kids play for free as an incentive keep kids active this summer.
Children 15 and under can golf at no charge with the purchase of a paying adult. The offer is valid anytime after 5 p.m. daily.

For more information, visit www.golfstoneybrook.com.

+ Shiels joins OCU volleyball
Braden River High graduate Kelley Shiels will continue her volleyball career next year at Oklahoma City University.

The former Lady Pirates libero and defensive specialist recorded 504 digs in her senior season, becoming Braden River’s career record holder for digs. Shiels also was named to the Class 4A all-state and Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-Star teams.

“We are really looking forward to Kelley joining our team next year,” OCU coach Nikki Dieball said. “She is a tenacious defensive player who will add a lot of depth to our roster.”

The Stars will open the 2011 season in the Oklahoma City/Southern Nazarene Classic Aug. 26-27.

+ U11 Monsters finish as invitational runner-up
The Manasota Monsters U11 lacrosse team finished second in the Father’s Day Invitational Tournament June 18-19 in Jacksonville.

With only 16 players competing, the team went 5-0 heading into the championship game. The Monsters captured their division before defeating the No. 3 seed in the semifinals.

“They played their hearts out, and we are very proud of them,” coach Chris Sforzo said.

+ Wave Runners compete in first open-water swim
Six Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners competed in the Open Water Swim Challenge June 12 at Fort Myers Beach, marking the first time the team had ever participated in an open water event.

The Wave Runners finished fourth overall, with the girls capturing sixth place and the boys taking home third place.

Nine-year-old Sebastian Aguirre led the way for the Wave Runners, finishing first in the boys 10 and under division. Kevin Berkenbusch finished fourth in the boys 15-16 age group.

Meanwhile in the girls 10 and under division, Sydney Cusick finished sixth followed by Savannah DeCastro (seventh) and Chloe Millard (eighth). Sydney Panzarino also competed in the event.

+ District 26 All-Star Scoreboard
June 29
9/10
Lakewood Ranch 9, Buffalo Creek 5
Braden River 8, Manatee Central 3
10/11
Braden River 4, Lakewood Ranch 3