Softball districts finish with championship games on Thursday with Clay second baseman Katlyn Morgan and Fleming Island’s Maya Littles key players searching for region playoff berths.
Fleming Island senior Tanner Thomas has been on a tear with three homers in last week in two big wins for the Golden Eagles. See district playoff breakdowns inside.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
Clay High senior Mike Adams finishes a successful lift at the recent region 1-1A championships to qualify to lift at the April 15-16 state championship meet in Kissimmee.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
Above: Fleming Island singles region champion David Burns won his opening match at the Class 4A tournament in Altamonte Springs on Mon., April 11 7-5, 6-1, but fell in the quarterfinals 6-3, 6-1.
Fleming Island’s number one doubles team of Mark Suhrer, pictured here, and David Burns won their Class 4A tournament opener in overtime 4-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-7) to advance to the semifinals against number one seed Ferguson (Miami). Burns and Suhrer had a first round bye. In Class 2A, Ridgeview High’s James Bratt won his first round match 1-6, 7-6 (0), 10-3 in extra sets before losing in the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-1.
Special to Clay Today
Disney champs
The Clay County Hoyas Under-17 boys basketball team shows off their team trophy after winning the AAU Super Regional Disney Easter Classic. The Hoyas, coached by Deevid Miller advanced with the tournament win to play in the AAU National Championships in Orlando in July. Pictured front from left: Jonathan Barnes, DJ Stubbs, Eric Collins, Diallo Bryant, Dy Stubbs and Ty McBride. Back row from left: Coach Kenny Mitchell, Brandon Maloney, TaJon Davis, Warren Miller, Jacari Cicero, Colin Wilson, Jordan Bundy and Coach Deevid Miller.
Correspondent photo by Ray DiMonda
Spartans go to battle
St. Johns Country Day School pitcher Troy Myers is top hurler for Spartans who will be battling with to unhinged top-ranked St. Joseph Academy in district 2-3A and second seed University Christian.
Left: The annual Seamark Mudder run, a 3.1K race with 25 mud-filled, climbing and slippy slide obstacles is a featured race at the Seamark Ranch in Green Cove Springs that starts with waves at 8:30 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. and benefits the Seamark Ranch, a home for children in crisis.
The annual Florida Striders Run to the Sun 8K race starts and finishes at the BestBet of Orange Park with an 8 a.m. start that benefits area elementary school run/walk clubs.
Staff photo by Randy Lefko
Keystone Heights senior Wyatt Harvin got the Indians to the region semifinals last year and must figure way to repeat with new district lineup.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
University of Florida will get two more Clay High swimmers after Dakota Mahaffey, seated left, and Sherridon Dressel signed to compete in Gainesville next year.
Fleming Island High middle blocker Olivia Rutledge has signed with Montevallo University in Alabama to continue her volleyball playing days.
Fleming Island High libero Sydney Bates signed to continue her volleyball playing days at Towson State University in Maryland.
Fleming Island High libero Sydney Bates signed to continue her volleyball playing days at Towson State University in Maryland.
Middleburg High pitcher Savannah Combs will continue her softball playing at Florida State College-Jacksonville.
Middleburg High catcher and infielder Alyssa Rosenbaum has signed to continue her softball playing days at Tallahassee Community College.
Fleming Island junior Cameron Dill and Oakleaf senior David Hall are top contenders to push into regions after Wednesday districts.
Right: Middleburg High hurdler Kaitlyn Howard concentrates on steps in her 100 meter hurdles at Don Hall Invitational.
Left: Ridgeview High miler Joel Nesi tracks down opponent in early laps of 1600.
Lakeside Junior High pitcher Ben Johnson lets fly in Gators 7-5 win over Orange Park Junior High on Friday at Orange Park High School
Orange Park Junior High School pitcher Richard Long put up a tough fight in Wildcats 7-5 loss to Lakeside Friday at a special showcase at Orange Park High School. Area junior high teams will start championship tournament play on April 21-25 at Lakeside Junior High School.
Lakeside Junior High hurdler Albert Williams, here battling with Orange Park Junior High in recent dual match, will be striding out in the Clay County Junior High Track and Field Championships to be held Fri., April 15 at Orange Park High School.
Lakeside Junior High second baseman Calvin Gunsaulus turns and throws to complete a double play in Gators 7-5 win over Orange Park Junior High School.
Green Cove Springs hurdler Sarah Zima will be competing at the Clay County Junior High Track and Field Championships on Fri., April 15 at Orange Park High School.
Oakleaf High baserunner Keegan Barrs gets snagged on a third base rundown in Knights 3-2 loss to 3A-University Christian Monday night in Jacksonville.
Fleming Island has speed in the outfield with fleet-footed Jordan Imperial, pictured, and Cory Solomon patrolling the long balls.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
Oakleaf High pitcher Will Pillsbury is the heart of the Knights district 2-8A number one ranking with his mid-season return from a minor injury.
Fleming Island senior pitcher Zack Blankenship has gotten stronger as the season has progressed to lead Golden Eagles staff.
Top: Clay High sprinter Christy Carlisle blasts from start of 100 meter dash.
Orange Park distance runner John Bear makes strong move in Don Hall 800 meters.
Ridgeview High sprinter Marcus Gomez pushes at start next to Clay High’s Roshawn Boswell in Don Hall 100 meter dash in Friday’s annual track meet honoring former OPHS coach Don Hall.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
Two key parts of the Oakleaf High track attack are Jaqueline Thomas, left, and Osa Obasuyi who both competed in the the triple jump at last year’s Class 3A state meet. Oakleaf is now 4A.
Ridgeview High sprinter Marcus Gomez pushes at start next to Clay High’s Roshawn Boswell in Don Hall 100 meter dash in Friday’s annual track meet honoring former OPHS coach Don Hall.
Goggle-wearing runner Bethany Kiel preps for the run with a sprinkling of teal.
Runner Cameron Coaxum blasts through cloud of color at finish line.
The Orange Park Performing Arts Academy staff and Color Me Rad 5k runners get ready for speedy action.
Mother-daughter Roberta and Silvia Tomlinson venture through cloud of color and spray at finish of Color Me Rad 5K staged at the OPPAA campus on Saturday.
Three somewhat decorated runners, left to right, Savannah Martinez, Trisstin Quiett and Raven Shannon, get set for some running action at the OPPAA Color Me Rad 5k.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
Overall winner Eric Nkaimbi flies through the finish line with handful of color as finish line “sprayers” await him crossing the finish line.
Ridgeview High shortstop Yamil Tosado is strong vacuum for Panthers defense.
Clay pitcher Holden Alexander is top tosser for Blue Devils and needs strong game to put Clay back in region playoff hunt.
Clay High second baseman Austin Burke finishes off successful pickoff of Ponte Vedra baserunner in Blue Devils’ second loss in three days to Sharks. Clay needs the right formula to upend Sharks in district tournament next week.
Staff photos by Randy Lefko
Clay High’s Gage Chancey gets tagged out at home in Blue Devils first loss to Ponte Vedra.
Clay baseball coach Josh Persinger got caught in a Shark frenzy with two losses to Ponte Vedra, but prevailed to stay at number one.
Former Fleming Island High ace Kaitlyn “KK” Leddy has six wins at North Dakota State University, now 23-12 overall.
Staff photo by Randy Lefko
Fleming Island High second baseman Mady Lanoux filled in admirably at catcher and nearly fueled the Golden Eagles to a come from behind district semifinal win over Atlantic Coat High on Tuesday at First Coast High School. Lanoux switched to catcher after starter Jordan Hunt lacerated a finger chasing a foul ball.
Correspondent photo by Ray DiMonda
Clay High pitcher Ashley Stokes punished the Menendez High batting lineup with one hit and 16 strikeouts as the Blue Devils won a 1-0 district semifinal match on Tuesday at Orange Park High. Clay will play Ponte Vedra on Wed., April 13 for the district championship.