Sidelines

+ Ortiz captures county crown
Lakewood Ranch High’s Julia Ortiz captured the Manatee County Championship at the Tri-County Cross-Country Championships Oct. 17, in Sarasota.

Ortiz crossed the finish line in 20 minutes, 58.60 to finish ahead of Ande McDonald (third, 21:28.90), Michelle Last (fourth, 21:43.20), Emily Perez (fifth, 21:44.90) and Katie Wray (sixth, 22:26.50).
Asia Borman finished eighth in 23:03.40 to lead the way for Braden River.

On the boys side, Lakewood’s Mitch Arnold finished as the county runner-up in 17:34, followed by teammates George Dabbiero (third, 17:50.80), Read Corley (sixth, 19:07), Brice Easton (seventh, 19:07) and Griffin Dorsey (19:08).

R.J. Brown finished ninth in 19:13.50 to lead the way for Braden River.

+ ODA falls to Northside Christian
The Out-of-Door academy volleyball team fell to Northside Christian 25-19, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15 in non-district action Oct. 15.

Lauren Maxey powered the Lady Thunder with 13 kills and four aces. Taylor Albano had six kills and two blocks. Cameron Graham recorded 31 digs and 30 perfect passes.

+ Mustangs suffer first district loss
The Lakewood Ranch High football team fell Oct. 18, to Palmetto 33-19 in Class 7A-District 10 action.
It was the Mustangs’ first district loss of the season.

Trailing 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, quarterback Chad Rex connected with tight end Wyatt McLeod for a 1-yard touchdown.

The Mustangs added a pair of touchdowns in the second half. Rex connected with Cameron Pearcey for an 11-yard touchdown, and Ty McLeod recovered a fumble and returned it 44 yards for the Mustangs’ final score of the night.

+ Orioles announce training schedule
The Baltimore Orioles recently announced their 2014 Grapefruit League schedule, which opens Feb. 28, against the Tampa Bay Rays, in Port Charlotte.

The 2014 season marks the fifth-consecutive spring training for the Orioles in Sarasota.

Baltimore will face eight different opponents during its 15-game home Grapefruit League campaign. The Orioles’ home opener will be March 1 versus the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles will play 15 games on the road.

For information or to purchase season or group tickets, call 893-6300. Single-game tickets go on sale Jan. 25.

KUDOS
+ Cardinal Mooney Football
The Cardinal Mooney football team clinched its first playoff berth since 2008 with a 62-0 victory over Class 3A-District 6 rival The Out-of-Door Academy Oct. 18.

With the loss, ODA (1-6) was eliminated from playoff contention.
Cardinal Mooney (5-1) racked up 473 yards of total offense in a game that was decided at the end of the first quarter, as the Cougars took a 35-0 lead heading into the second quarter.

Running back Demardre Patterson rushed for 148 yards and four touchdowns, and Vince Sellars added 170 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Quarterback Reese Vita completed 4-of-5 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown. Austin Leach hauled in three catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. He also returned a punt 59 yards for a score.

STANDOUT PLAYER
Ali Milbourn
Setter, Volleyball
Lakewood Ranch High

4 - The number of years Milbourn has been a starter on the Lady Mustangs varsity squad.

2 - The number of district titles Milbourn has helped lead the Lady Mustangs to since she’s been a part of the team.

29 - The number of assists Milbourn had in Lakewood’s 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Manatee to close out the regular season Oct. 16.

GAME TO WATCH
Football
Oct. 25
Braden River vs. North Port (7:30 p.m.)

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]