Sidelines

Smithers resigns as Cougars coach

Cardinal Mooney football coach Josh Smithers stepped down from his position March 31 after having spent the past 15 years on the Cougars’ coaching staff. 

A former three-sport athlete at Cardinal Mooney, Smithers informed Athletic Director Bill Donivan of his resignation, citing personal reasons, and then met with his players the following day. Smithers coached Cardinal Mooney to back-to-back district championships in 2013 and 2014. 

Former Southeast head coach Paul Maechtle, who served as Smithers’ wide receivers coach last season, was named the Cougars’ interim coach for the spring season. 

Cardinal Mooney, which is on spring break until April 12, will begin looking for a new coach. Interested candidates should send a résumé to Principal Steve Christie at [email protected]. 

ODA scores big on Senior Night

The Out-of-Door Academy boys lacrosse team came away victorious on Senior Night, as the host Thunder beat Fort Myers 17-12 March 31. 

Christian Mold scored five goals to lead the way for ODA. Ian Martin and Jon Eichenbaum added four goals each. Leland Wheeler had two goals, and Ben Martin and Angus Martin each scored one goal. 

ODA crowns two county champs

The Out-of-Door Academy seniors Madison Shaw and Tre Gregory both won individual titles at the Sarasota County Championships April 2, at Booker High. 

Shaw won the 300-meter hurdles in 49.74 seconds. She also finished second in the 100 hurdles (17.26). Gregory cleared 13 feet to win the pole vault. 

The ODA girls finished fifth overall while the boys were seventh. 

Additional top 10 finishers include: 

Katie Lang — 100 hurdles (fourth) and 300 hurdles (third)

Reanna Gregory — pole vault (sixth) 

Allison Drzewucki — 100 (sixth) and 200 (10th) 

Chloe Ruppert — 800 (ninth) and pole vault (10th) 

Will Harwell — high jump (ninth) 

Boys 4x400 relay (seventh) 

Cougars top Mustangs 

The Cardinal Mooney baseball team improved to 16-5 with a 7-4 victory over Lakewood Ranch April 2. 

Josh Bonynge earned the win on the mound for the Cougars, and Alex Rodman picked up the save. Parker Shanahan went 3-for-3 and Tyler Mattes went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run to lead the way for Cardinal Mooney at the plate. Gage Schrantz went 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs.