Sidelines

KUDOS
+ Twelve local skaters headed to nationals
Twelve Southwest Florida Figure Skating Club skaters, who train at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex, recently qualified for the 2015 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships Jan. 17 through Jan. 25, in Greensboro, N.C. 

The skaters earned a spot in the national championships after medaling at the U.S. Figure Skating Eastern Sectional Championships. 

Medalists include:
• Intermediate pairs gold medalists Elli Kopmar and Jonah Barrett

• Novice pairs silver medalists Sarah Rose and Joseph Goodpastor

• Novice men’s bronze medalist Barrett

• Junior pairs gold medalists Cirinia Gillett and Maximiliano Fernandez

• Junior pairs bronze medalists Alyssa McDougal and Paul Schatz

The senior pairs teams of Tarah Kayne and Daniel O’Shea and Gretchen Donolan and Nathan Bartholomay also will be a part of Ellenton’s national championship team. This is the largest group of skaters from Ellenton to attend the national championships since the rink opened 15 years ago.

+ Hockey tournament arrives in Ellenton this week
The Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex will host the Silver Sticks Hockey Tournament Dec. 5 through Dec. 7.

This year’s tournament, which features Pee Wee 11- and 12-year-old hockey players, begins at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and will continue from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 6. The finals are scheduled for 1 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The event is open to the public.

For more information contact Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex General Manager Tom Lindemuth at 932-6088 or [email protected].

+ Rosedale to offer golf instruction for women
Rosedale Golf & Country Club is now offering a new series of ladies-only golf classes.

The classes, led by Joe Robert, lead instructor at the Whidden Golf Academy, will focus on the basics of the game, including proper etiquette, rules and course management.

Classes will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and are limited to five people. Cost is $150 for six hours of instruction. Each class includes a warmup on the driving range, on-course instruction and tips.
Dates include:

• Session 1: Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27

• Session 2: Jan. 10, 17, 24 and 31

• Session 3: Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28

• Session 4: March 7, 14, 21 and 28

For more information, contact Joe Robert at [email protected] or visit rosedalegcc.com.

+ University Place cardio tennis registration open
Registration for University Place’s holiday cardio tennis classes is now ongoing.

Classes will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Dec. 9 and 16, at Lakewood Ranch Country Club and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, at River Strand Country Club. Classes will resume again Jan. 6. Class size is limited to eight participants.

For more information, contact [email protected]

+ ODA blanks Sarasota Christian
The Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer team defeated Sarasota Christian 4-0 in district action Nov. 24.

Katie Lang scored a pair of goals to lead the way for the Lady Thunder. Katherine Pacitti and Natalie Gorgi each had a goal. Rachel Rodgers was credited with an assist. Goalkeeper Abby Bannar earned the shutout for ODA with five saves.

+ McMahon leads Cougars to win
Ryan McMahon scored 31 points and added five assists to lead the Cardinal Mooney boys basketball team to a 91-80 victory over Tampa Catholic Nov. 25.

Richard Krupa finished with 21 points, four assists and two steals. Justin Najmy added 12 points. Mitch Arimura had 10 points and four rebounds. Tommy Rao contributed nine points and five rebounds.