SIDELINES

+ Lady Thunder outlast the Lady Cougars
The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball team held on to defeat district rival Cardinal Mooney 3-2 in its Think Pink match Oct. 4.

The Lady Thunder beat the Lady Cougars 25-15, 15-25, 23-25, 25-21, 16-14. Haley Preininger paced the Lady Thunder with 26 assists, 22 digs and five blocks. Lauren Maxey had 15 kills and Natalie Buffett added 14 kills. Gabriella Costa finished with 13 kills and six blocks.

Despite the loss, Hanna McMahon had 33 digs for Cardinal Mooney. Keri McMahon had 12 kills and nine digs. Lexi Barbour finished with 20 assists.

+ Tornadoes record first win
The Booker High football team recorded its first win of the season with a 57-27 victory over Lake Placid in Class 4A-District 6 action Oct. 5.

Quarterback Alex Riddle threw a pair of touchdowns, and running back Marlon Mack scored two touchdowns as well.

+ Sarasota tops Palmetto
The Sarasota High volleyball team defeated Palmetto 3-1 Oct. 8.

Genevieve Rowe had 18 kills, two blocks and two aces as the Lady Sailors cruised to a 25-21, 25-12, 17-25, 25-16 victory. Lauren Hochstetler had 14 kills and six aces. Jackie Morgensen added five kills.

The Lady Sailors host Sarasota Christian tonight for Senior Night.

+ Sarasota boys sail to cross-country championship
The Sarasota High boys cross-country team scored 32 points to win the Land O’Lakes Gator Invitational Oct. 6.

Courtland Bernard paced the Sailors, finishing first in 16:29. Teammate Zackery Summerall finished second in 16:35 followed by Ian Hull (sixth, 17:02), Adam Bradtmueller (10th, 17:17) and Brandon Drumm (14th, 17:40).

The Sarasota girls team scored 120 points to finish second behind Palm Harbor University (104). Angelina Grebe finished second in 19:57 to pace the way for the Lady Sailors.

+ Cougars, Rams and Sailors all fall short in district action
The Cardinal Mooney High football team fell to Lakeland Christian 20-17 in its Class 3A-District 6 opener Oct. 8.

Quarterback Reese Vita scored a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Blake Young hit a 19-yard field goal in the third quarter and Demardre Patterson added a 59-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the Cougars final score of the game.

Riverview fell to Palm Harbor University 35-9 in its Homecoming Game Oct. 5. It was the Class 8A-District 7 opener for both schools.

Karan Higdon scored on the Riverview’s opening possession on a 22-yard run for the Rams lone touchdown of the night. Mitchell Howard added a 27-yard field goal for the Rams.

Sarasota fell to Venice 48-12 in the Class 7A-District 10 opener for both teams.

Hunter Dewitt connected with Shawn Bane Jr. for a 62-yard touchdown and Bane Jr. later threw a 22-yard pass to Eugene Ash for the Sailors final touchdown of the game.

+ Sailors swing past Pirates
The Sarasota High boys golf team shot a combined 155 to defeat Braden River (167) Oct. 8.
Jacques Celestino shot a 36 to earn medalist honors.