Sidelines

+ Benderson Park unveils dragon boat
Nathan Benderson Park unveiled a 40-foot, 1,500-pound pink dragon boat May 10, during the USRowing Southeastern Junior District Championships.

The boat is one of two boats the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates purchased with funds the Benderson family donated.

The 22-person boat, which will be manned by a local cancer survivors group, will race in the International Breast Cancer Paddlers’ Commission Participatory Dragon Boat Festival in October, at Nathan Benderson Park.

“We are ecstatic about the new boat at Nathan Benderson Park,” says Angela Long, founder of Survivors in Sync. “We have been traveling to Tampa to practice for the last several months, and it has been quite a time commitment.

“Having our team based in Sarasota-Bradenton will allow us to grow the team and attendance in the way we have hoped for,” she says.

+ GSJGA wraps up its winter series
The Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association closed out its winter series May 18, at the Meadows Country Club.

Kyle Jarrett shot 72 to earn medalist honors.

Individual winners include:
Nine-hole divisions
Girs 10 and Under
Sienna Cassella (49)
Boys 10 and Under
Aaron Setiawan (43)
Finlay Murphy (47)
Thomas Tyler III (48)
Girls 11 and Over
Jackie Putrino (47)
Halie Keech (66)
Lydia Vaccaro (66)
Boys 11 and Over
Oliver Warren (39)
Nolan Laurvick (41)
Carson Enright (41)
18-Hole Divisions
Girls 12 and Under
Sofia Grant (119)
Boys 12 and Under
Matthew de Heus (76)
Jonah Winter (78)
Girls 13 to 15
Katie Kroos-Roberts (81)
Theresa Morrissey (85)
Boys 13 to 15
Kyle Jarrett (72)
Josh Silverman (77)
Girls 16 to 18
Nicole Polivchak (73)
Victoria Cangero (78)
Boys 16 to 18
Jack Cen (73)
Cole Johnson (78)

+ Sarasota athletic orientation upcoming
Sarasota High will hold its athletic orientation night at 6 p.m. May 23, in the school’s west cafeteria.

Those interested in playing for the Sailors next year should attend. Players will receive information about free physicals, summer programs, eligibility and receive athletic packets.

Complimentary pizza and drinks will be provided.

The Sailors’ spring football game vs. St. Petersburg will follow at 7 p.m.

+ Sailors to hold dodgeball fundraiser
Sarasota High will hold a five-on-five co-ed dodgeball tournament at 4:30 p.m. June 2, in the school’s west gymnasium.

Each team must have at least one male and one female player. All team members must sign a waiver to participate. Teams will participate in pool play with a four-game guarantee. Teams can choose to compete in the elite or novice bracket.

Cost is $75 per team (cash only).

Proceeds will benefit Sarasota High teacher and coach Kyle Jutras, who is battling cancer.

+ i9 Sports camp registration ongoing
Registration for i9 Sports multi-sport summer camp has opened.

This year’s camp is open to children ages 5 to 12 and features flag football, soccer, basketball and baseball.

The camp is divided into five sessions: June 10 to 13; June 16 to 20; June 23 to 27; June 30 to July 4; and July 7 to July 11, at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 11315 Palmbrush Trail, Lakewood Ranch. The Sarasota session will be held June 9 to June 13, at Bayside Community Church’s Sarasota campus, 8200 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota.

Lunch, water and Gatorade will be provided.

For more information and to register, visit i9sports.com or call 312-2400.

GAME TO WATCH
Football
May 23
Riverview vs. Southeast (7:30 p.m.)