Sidelines

KUDOS
+ Cardinal Mooney boys swimming captures titles
Cardinal Mooney sophomore Austin Katz captured a pair of individual state tittles while helping lead the Cougars to a second-place finish at the Class 1A Swimming & Diving Championships Nov. 15, in Stuart.
Katz won the 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 38.20 seconds. He then went on to win the 100 backstroke in 48.82. His two times also earned him All-American status.

Katz then teamed up with Matthew Nutter, Matthew Garcia and Emanuele Rossi for a second-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay (3:06.73). The 200-yard medley relay team of Vinny Lijoi, Rossi, Katz and Garcia also finished second (1:35.92).

Garcia finished third in the 100 backstroke (49.79), while Rossi was seventh in the 100 freestyle.

+ Lady Mustangs fall in state semifinals
The Lakewood Ranch High volleyball team saw its season come to a close with a 3-1 loss to Winter Springs in the Class 7A state semifinals Nov. 14, at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

After falling 25-20 in the first set, the Lady Mustangs rebounded to take the second set 25-22. After a back-and-forth third set, which Winter Springs eventually won 30-28, Lakewood was unable to overcome the Bears’ pressure in the fourth set, falling 25-13.

Kahlee York finished with 14 kills, four aces, two digs and a block to lead the way for Lakewood. Nicole Grant added 13 kills, eight digs and an ace. Setter Courtney Rapp had 34 assists. Libero Ande McDonald finished with 17 digs. Layne Thompson added six kills and a block.

It was the final game in a Lady Mustangs uniform for Grant, Rapp and fellow seniors Kelley Ainsworth and Erin O’Connell, who helped lead Lakewood to a 23-7 record and its second state semifinal appearance in three years.

+ Cougars advance to regional finals
The Cardinal Mooney football team held on to beat Clearwater Calvary Christian 17-14 in the Class 3A-Region 3 semifinals Nov. 14.

Bryce Williams and Reese Vita both scored touchdowns for the Cougars. Robby Howard added a 27-yard field goal.

With the win, Cardinal Mooney will host Clearwater Central Catholic in the regional finals Nov. 21. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

+ Lakewood closes out season at state meet
The Lakewood Ranch boys and girls cross-country teams closed out their season at the Class 3A Cross-Country State Finals Nov. 15, in Tallahassee.

The girls scored 322 points to finish 12th while the boys were 16th with 407 points.

MacKenzie Malone finished 55th in 20 minutes, 6.60 seconds to lead the way for the Lady Mustangs. Shay Lee finished 69th in 20:17.30, followed by Sarah Fazio (72nd, 20:19.20), Ande McDonald (86th, 20:40.70) and Emma Fazio (113th, 21:26.20).

Freshman Kyle Wray led the way for the Mustangs in his first state meet, finishing 52nd overall in 16:38.20. John Rivera finished 60th in 16:45.70, followed by George Dabbiero (100th, 17:19.20), Read Corley (120th, 17:48.10) and Brice Easton (122nd, 17:49.20).

+ Lady Thunder team earns a draw
The Out-of-Door Academy girls soccer team tied Bradenton Christian 2-2 in district action Nov. 11.
Abby LaGasse scored both goals for the Lady Thunder (1-1-1). Lexi Murphy and Mika Siefert each had an assist. Abby Bannar recorded eight saves.

+ Suncoast Storm ’05 team wins 9U tournament
The Suncoast Storm ’05 team went 3-0 to win the 9U division of the 2014 USSSA Florida South Fall State Championship Nov. 8 and Nov. 9, in Dunedin.

The Storm defeated the Lady Rockets 14-6 and the Lady Outlawz 14-4 before cruising to a 12-4 victory over the Lady Rockets in the championship game.

Championship players include: Joslyn Chapman, Julia Girk, Erin McIntyre, Kasey Barndt, Amanda Estling, Leah James, Alana Delagarza, Ava Westgate, Haley Howard, Addyson Bruneman and Ella Romano.