Sidelines

Signing day 2015
Area athletes signed on the dotted line Wednesday to continue their sports careers at the next level. Athletes from Booker, Riverview and Cardinal Mooney high schools signed Wednesday, while Sarasota High School athletes are expected to sign April 15.

Booker High School Football:
Romello Burke, Fort Hays State University; Hays, Kan.

Jeremiah Henderson:
Coffeyville Community College; Coffeyville, Kan.

Cardinal Mooney Boys Lacrosse:
James Kahl, SUNY at Oswego; Oswego, N.Y.

Alex Stoffel, Skidmore College; Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Girls Soccer:
Rose Amato, University of Tampa, Tampa

Sarah Quick, Towson University; Towson, Md.

Football:
Reese Vita, Furman University; Greenville, S.C.

Riverview High School
Football:
Mason Hupalo, Jacksonville University; Jacksonville,

Brian Liddy, Lyon College; Batesville, Ark.

Marquis Moodie, Stetson University; Deland

Riley Sheehan, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville

Soccer:
Ben Bates, Lehigh University; Bethlehem, Pa.

Swimming:
Nancy Hu, Wharton
School of the University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia

Sand Volleyball:
Ashley Allmer, Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge, La.

Tennis:
Michael Moore, Tyler College; Tyler, Texas

Sarasota High School
Expected to sign April 15
Football:
J.R. Clancy, Florida Atlantic University; Boca Raton

Baseball:
Carson Kyser, Indian River State College; Fort Pierce

Baseball:
Matt Schlabach, Nova Southeastern University; Fort Lauderdale

Softball:
Avery Miller, Northwood University; West Palm Beach

Baseball coach finalist for award
The National High School Athletic Coaches Association has announced that longtime Sarasota High School baseball coach Clyde Metcalf is a finalist for National Coach of the Year in baseball.

There are eight finalists from across the nation who will be honored during the National Coach of the Year awards banquet during the June 20 NHSACA National Convention at the Kahler Grand Hotel in Minneapolis. The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of a National Coach of the Year in 19 different sports.

The Florida High School Coaches Association selected Metcalf based on longevity, service to high school

athletics, honors, championship years and winning percentage.
Metcalf has been the head baseball coach at Sarasota High for more than 30 years and has served as the school’s athletic director for more than 16 years. He has compiled a career record of 731 wins and 173 losses. Metcalf’s teams have advanced to the Final Four 10 times, winning six state titles and finishing as runner-up three times. The Sailors have twice been named as national champions and were the USA Team of the Decade for the 1990s.

Metcalf has received the National Coach of the Year award twice and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Lifetime Membership award. He was also inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in December 2010.

Sarasota Open tickets on sale
The 2015 Sarasota Open, which has moved to Lakewood Ranch Country Club and Tennis Center this year, will be offering new ticket options.

There will be two stadiums this year, with a $50 general admission pass for the entire week. The general admission pass does not cover access to the feature stadium, the James T. Driscoll Centre Court Stadium, which requires a separate ticket (prices vary).

Also new to the tournament is an enhanced vendor and food court with live, real-time viewing scoreboards.

The Sarasota Open will run from April 11 to April 19.

Orioles to host fundraising event
On Feb. 23, the Baltimore Orioles will hold its fifth annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic at The Founders Club to benefit the Miracle League of Manasota, an organization that provides an opportunity for every person to play baseball, regardless of ability.

The event starts with registration and lunch at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.

The registration deadline is Feb. 8. Visit birdeasepro.com/birdlandclassic for more information and to register.