- October 31, 2024
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For the past four years, Adam Bradtmueller has been synonymous with Sarasota High track and field and cross-country.
The senior’s name has been linked to just about every headline, story and stat sheet relating to the Sailors’ distance program.
He’s become the face of the boys program, and in some regards, the school itself.
Although while he has a rather lengthy list of accomplishments, accolades and school records to his credit, every time I’ve ever interviewed Bradtmueller for a story, it always comes back to what his team has been able to do for him.
In a pair of sports characterized by individual performance, Bradtmueller has made it a point to always give credit to his teammates who continually drive him to greatness.
So it’s only fitting that Bradtmueller capped off the final meet of his high school career on track and field’s biggest stage with his teammates cheering him on.
Bradtmueller, who will run for East Tennessee State University in the fall, opened the Class 4A state championship May 6, at IMG Academy, with a gold medal-winning performance in the 3,200-meter run.
In the longest and most tedious of the running events, Bradtmueller opted to run with the pack for the first mile before taking the lead and stretching out the pack with 1,200 meters to go. Heading into the final lap, a few runners pushed the pace and Bradtmueller responded by getting on the shoulder of the leader with 250 meters to go. Using a late surge, Bradtmueller pulled away in the final 10 meters, crossing the finish line in 9 minutes, 26.39 seconds and holding off Plant High’s Rob Leverone (9:27.70).
"Champions are not made over night, and from day one Adam was willing to work and put the time in to be the best he could," coach John Stevenson said. "The other guys can see what it takes to be a state champion and that talent alone will not get you there. You have to work hard every day and be determined to be the best you can."
The following day, on May 7, Bradtmueller, who won the Class 3A individual cross-country state championship this past fall, returned to the track to anchor the Sailors 4x800 relay team, which included Ivan Plancarte, Brady Hill and Jordan Gonzalez to a third-place finish with a time of 7 minutes, 57.83 seconds.
With 10 laps already under his feet, Bradtmueller closed out his high school career with four final laps around the track en route to a third-place finish in the mile (4:18.47).
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The boys of fall are back on the gridiron, for at least another couple of weeks.
Spring football officially kicked off around Sarasota County last week with Cardinal Mooney, Booker, Sarasota and Riverview already looking ahead to the upcoming season.
Area teams are allotted 20 practices during the spring season, which runs through May 31, in addition to a spring game.
Without a lot of time to prepare, area coaches often use the spring season as a stepping stone for the fall. It’s an opportunity for current freshmen, sophomores and juniors, many who may find themselves in starting roles this fall, to see where they stand.
Coaches will further solidify positions and offseason conditioning plans will be put into place. Uniforms have been ordered and are starting to pile up in area locker rooms.
In some ways its a tease for those of us anxious for the return of Friday Night Lights, but with more than 100 days remaining until the start of the regular season, we’ll take what we can get.
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Jaco’s Boxing jumped into the ring April 29 for a special fight during its Third Annual 24-hour Boxing Marathon.
With the support of the community and #JacoStrong members, the Sarasota-based boxing and fitness center raised more than $52,000 for Autism.
Proceeds from the event were donated to the ABA Academy for its commitment to raising support and awareness for Autism research.
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