SIDELINES

+ Wave Runners qualify for YMCA nationals
Four Lakewood Ranch YMCA Wave Runners swimmers qualified for the YMCA Nationals.

Courtney Chapin qualified for the 2013 Long Course YMCA Nationals in the 100-meter backstroke, at the Florida Age Group Swimming Championships July 18 through July 21, at the O’Connell Center at the University of Florida.

At the Senior Championships at Indian River State College, Bea Gelongo (100 butterfly), Joe Plechy (50 freestyle) and Ryan Walker (50 freestyle and 100 breaststroke) also qualified for the 2013 Long Course YMCA Nationals.

Sebastian Aguirre qualified for the Florida Zone Team and is currently swimming at the 2013 USA Swimming Southern Zone Meet, which runs through Aug. 4, in Greenville, S.C.

This is the first time the Wave Runners have had more than one swimmer qualify for YMCA Nationals.

+ Volleyball coach wins silver medal at tourney
The Out-of-Door Academy volleyball coach Craig Wolfe won a silver medal at the 2013 National Senior Games, which ran July 19 through Aug. 1, in Cleveland.

Wolfe put together a men’s 50+ volleyball team with Sarasota residents Paul Damico and Manny Martinez, as well as players from Largo, Clermont, Miami, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

The team advanced to the finals, before falling to California in the championship match.

+ Lakewood swimmers hold car wash fundraiser
The Lakewood Ranch High swim team will hold a car wash Aug. 24 to help raise money for the upcoming season.

The event will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Crowder Brothers Ace Hardware, 2401 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Lakewood Ranch.

+ Manatee Crew to hold dinner fundraising event
The Manatee Crew team will hold a fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 17, at Pier 22, 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton.

Cost is $35 per person and includes cocktails and an island-style menu. Guests also will enjoy live music by T. Scott Walker and a silent auction.

For more information, contact Robert DeMino at 224-1252 or Margaret Tsai at 812-7260. Information also is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ManateeCrewRowing.

+ Sarasota Sting win national title
The Sarasota Sting 11U travel baseball team captured the national title at the Youth Baseball Nationals June 29 through July 3, in Elizabethtown, Ky.

The Sting opened the tournament with a 13-0 victory over Cincinnati Elite Baseball that was shortened to four innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

Sarasota then defeated the Oakland Diamondbacks 11-1 and Buffalo Titans Baseball 7-2.

The Sting suffered their first loss of the tournament, falling 6-5 July 2 to Texas C3 Futures.

Due to weather, Sarasota played the remainder of its games July 3.

The Sting defeated Georgia Warriors Baseball 12-0 and the Michigan Storm 8-1 to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, the Sting defeated Texas C3 Futures 4-2 to avenge its earlier loss and advance to the title game.

In the championship, Sarasota defeated the Alabama Patriots 5-0. It was the first time Alabama had lost in a championship game.

Championship players include: Zach Calhoon, Nick Henry, Owen Ayers, Garret Browning, Nolan Miller, Tyler Russin, Richard Morales, Colin Apgar, Alec Boot-Handford, Christian Wise, Reese Clancy and Jason Scott. Bubba Browning, Tim Clancy and Pat Calhoon coach the team.