Venice Gondolier Sun

The Venice High boys and girls tennis teams did a number on Largo Monday, with both Indians teams winning 7-0. The boys are 8-1 this season, while the VHS girls are 6-2. Venice hosts Riverview Thursday afternoon. … Find out how to read more online.

Owen embarks on coaching career
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:58AM

Jamie Owen, a Venice High graduate who helped the Maryville College Fighting Scots earn back-to-back USA South titles and the school’s first trip to the NCAA tournament, has been named quality control coach for the Columbus Lions of the Professional … Find out how to read more online.

Zarzutski enjoys winning season in Kansas
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:58AM

Kori Zarzutzki has been a part of a dream season for the Manhattan Christian College (Kan.) women’s basketball team. The Venice resident and her teammates are 24-4 heading into the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Central Region tournament. The … Find out how to read more online.

VHS winter teams earn third-highest GPA
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:58AM

Venice High’s winter sports teams posted the third highest cumulative grade-point average (3.254) in 6A, according to the Florida High School Athletic Association. Boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, wrestling and girls weightlifting contributed to the school’s performance. … Find out how to read more online.

Gymnast Elsadek flourishing in New York
Wed Mar 5 2014 08:58AM

Caitlin Elsadek has been inspired this gymnastics season. Joining a nationally ranked college team will do that. The Venice High School graduate is a freshman on the SUNY-Brockport women’s gymnastics team. The squad was third among Division III programs in … Find out how to read more online.

Wed Mar 5 2014 08:58AM

YMCA youth sports registration open The Venice YMCA is accepting sign-ups for its youth soccer, baseball and volleyball leagues through March 8. Register in person at the Y or online at SouthCountyFamily YMCA.org. Here are the details: • Baseball T-ball: ages … Find out how to read more online.

In their 80s, they’re playing softball for life
Sun Mar 2 2014 06:04PM

Hugh Brotherton, who turns 83 in November, says his life wouldn’t be the same without senior softball. Softball, Brotherton said, gives him the motivation to keep doing pushups and stay fit. And he thanks the sport for the quality of … Find out how to read more online.

Kovalsky no-hits Hurricanes
Sun Mar 2 2014 06:04PM

For the second time this season, Venice High pitcher Nikki Kovalsky kept every hitter she saw from notching a hit. Twelve days after throwing a perfect game in a three-inning win over Port Charlotte, Kovalsky tossed a no-hitter Wednesday night, … Find out how to read more online.

Golf’s old magic: Celebrating achievement
Sun Mar 2 2014 06:04PM

When I was still untutored in the ways of the golf gods, I got hot on three holes. “Another par for me,” I called out to the pal keeping score. “Oh, just another par for Mark,” he teased, and my … Find out how to read more online.

Indians celebrate turnaround season
Sun Mar 2 2014 06:04PM

The Venice High boys soccer team held its end-of-season awards banquet Feb. 13 at the Italian American Club. Ryan McCormack was named team MVP and defensive MVP, and John Gokey and Daniel Swanson shared the offensive MVP award. Erik Kreider … Find out how to read more online.

SPORTS BRIEFS
Sun Mar 2 2014 06:04PM

Bucs tackle Dotson to visit First Baptist March 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers right tackle Demar Dotson will be the featured guest of First Baptist Venice at the church’s future site Sunday, March 2. The event begins at 10 a.m. and will … Find out how to read more online.

Indians ride Elmy’s arm to fifth straight win
Sun Mar 2 2014 06:04PM

Venice High senior Brandon Elmy showed Friday night why he entered the season as the Indians’ ace, scattering three hits over five scoreless innings as Venice dominated Jacksonville Trinity Christian, 5-0. The Indians scored all five of their runs in … Find out how to read more online.

We can fix Legacy Trail conundrum
Sun Mar 2 2014 06:02PM

A controversy has been brewing for some time concerning cyclist and pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk north of the Venice Train Depot that runs through Rollins Coakley Park. Coakley was a prime mover in getting the depot and surrounding area … Find out how to read more online.

Lawyers, Roberts remain unbeaten in Majors
Wed Feb 26 2014 11:34AM

A handful of teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack as the spring season of Venice Little League continued over the past week. Sharky’s stands alone at the top of the Minors division with a 3-0-1 record, while … Find out how to read more online.

Injuries sideline Venice grad Leonard
Wed Feb 26 2014 11:34AM

Michael Leonard isn’t playing college tennis this year. The Venice High School graduate played last year as a freshman for Palm Beach Atlantic University. He went 2-8 playing at the Nos. 3-6 singles positions and 3-5 in doubles play. But … Find out how to read more online.

Venice grad Burton pursues football dream
Wed Feb 26 2014 11:34AM

As Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro boldly proclaimed himself to be the best tight end in this year’s NFL draft, Trey Burton settled in at a table on the other side of the room at Lucas Oil Stadium. While … Find out how to read more online.

Wed Feb 26 2014 11:34AM

Scholarships available for student-athletes The Sarasota Area Sports Alliance (SASA) is awarding a limited number of scholarships to qualified high school student-athletes in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Commitment to sports, academic achievement, community involvement and financial need are the criteria … Find out how to read more online.

Venice’s Archer runs combine-best 4.26
Wed Feb 26 2014 11:34AM

Jadeveon Clowney made things tougher for Johnny Manziel and the other potential No. 1 picks Monday. But neither of them could catch Venice High graduate Dri Archer. The former Indian and Kent State running back ran the 40-yard dash Sunday … Find out how to read more online.

Indians take down Braden River, Lemon Bay
Sat Feb 22 2014 08:00AM

Victories over Braden River and Lemon Bay helped the Venice High girls tennis team improve its record to 4-2 this season. The Indians nearly went undefeated during the week, but dropped a hard-fought road match to Out-of-Door Academy 4-3. Venice … Find out how to read more online.

Three-win week runs Indians’ record to 5-1
Sat Feb 22 2014 08:00AM

The Venice High boys tennis team improved to 5-1 on the season with wins over Braden River, Lakewood Ranch and Lemon Bay this week. Shiv Krishnaswamy, Thomas Whittaker, Charlie Bond and Alex Sosa each went 2-0 in singles play. Venice … Find out how to read more online.

Kovalsky strong on plate, mound as Indians win 1-0
Sat Feb 22 2014 08:00AM

Senior Nikki Kovalsky understands that each game she pitches gets her closer to the end of her Venice Indian softball career. She continues to make the most of it. On Thursday night, Kovalsky struck out 15 to earn the win … Find out how to read more online.

Balsinger, Trammell take fourth at state meet
Wed Feb 19 2014 09:28AM

Venice High wrestlers Bryce Balsinger and CJ Trammell placed fourth in their weight classes at last weekend’s FHSAA 2A Wrestling Championships in Lakeland. Both wrestlers went 2-1 on the first day of competition, keeping alive their hopes of placing. Balsinger … Find out how to read more online.

Venice Little League spring ball underway
Wed Feb 19 2014 09:28AM

Venice Little League kicked off its 2014 spring season Saturday at Chuck Reiter Field. Please send game photos to rsmith@ venicegondolier.com. Minors Sharky’s 14 Sertoma 11 Montgomery’s Carpets 12 Hitt Team 8 Harn R/O 17 Sunrise Rotary 6 Majors Roberts … Find out how to read more online.

Wed Feb 19 2014 09:28AM

Late turnovers doom Indians’ regional final bid
Wed Feb 19 2014 09:28AM

For the first 22 minutes of Tuesday’s Venice-Lehigh regional semifinal showdown, everything went according to plan for the Indians. Venice hit its perimeter shots, limited Lehigh’s transition opportunities, frustrated Lightning star guard Bernard Edwards and, most importantly, took care of … Find out how to read more online.

Archer’s Combine task: Silence doubters
Wed Feb 19 2014 09:24AM

Dri Archer has a tall order when he participates in this week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Judged to be undersized by some professional football scouts and pundits, the recent Kent State University graduate will try to silence the doubters … Find out how to read more online.

SPORTS BRIEFS
Sun Feb 16 2014 08:06PM

Bucs tackle Dotson to visit First Baptist Venice March 2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers right tackle Demar Dotson will be the featured guest of First Baptist Venice at the church’s future site Sunday, March 2. The event begins at 10 a.m. … Find out how to read more online.

Indians reach Sweet 16 with upset road win
Sun Feb 16 2014 08:06PM

For just the second time this millenium, the Venice High boys basketball team has reached the Sweet 16. The Indians (16-12) upset Naples (19-9) 49-42 Thursday night, joining the school’s 2009 team as the only two in recent memory to … Find out how to read more online.

Kovalski leads softball team to fast start
Sun Feb 16 2014 08:06PM

The Venice High softball team improved to 5-1 this season with a pair of impressive wins on back-to-back nights this week, thanks in no small part to stellar starting pitching from Nikki Kovalski. The senior threw consecutive complete games, first … Find out how to read more online.

Six-run inning propels Indians to first win
Sun Feb 16 2014 08:06PM

The Venice High baseball team evened its record at 1-1 Friday night with a 6-0 road win over Seminole. The teams were deadlocked in a scoreless tie through five innings before the Indians blew the game open in the sixth. … Find out how to read more online.

Goldstars gymnasts impress at AAU event
Sun Feb 16 2014 08:06PM

The Venice YMCA Goldstars gymnastics team competed in the 1st AAU Qualifier Jan. 18-19 in Naples. More than 300 gymnasts in Levels 2-5 participated in the event. Scoring the highest all-around on the Goldstars team was Level 2 gymnast Maylee … Find out how to read more online.

Tennis teams down Bishop Verot
Sun Feb 16 2014 08:06PM

The Venice High boys and girls tennis teams notched road wins over Bishop Verot Tuesday afternoon in Fort Myers. The girls team took a 6-0 sweep, while the boys won 5-2. Both VHS teams are 2-1 this season. Girls: Venice … Find out how to read more online.

Two Indians still alive in state finals
Sun Feb 16 2014 08:06PM

Bryce Balsinger and CJ Trammell are still in contention for the consolation championship in their respective weight classes after day one of the FHSAA 2A Wrestling Finals in Lakeland. Both wrestlers went 2-1, winning their opening match before dropping their … Find out how to read more online.

3-foot rule applies when passing bike
Sun Feb 16 2014 08:04PM

The Florida State Legislature was one of the first in the nation to recognize that bicyclists needed an added measure of safety. In 2006, a law [316.083] was passed, stating in part, “The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle … Find out how to read more online.

Golf’s Old Magic: Little things mean a lot
Wed Feb 12 2014 09:20AM

Until you can regularly sink the last strokes on each hole, the short putts, the 3- and 4- and 5-footers, you’ll never post a decent score. For example, two days ago on an easy par 3, I hit a 110-yard … Find out how to read more online.

Venice baseball loses in shocker, 5-3
Wed Feb 12 2014 09:20AM

The Venice Indians were likely going to be among the top-ranked teams in the country when the first Baseball America rankings were released later this week, but they don’t have to worry about that anymore. The Indians, plagued by a … Find out how to read more online.

Regional champs Smallwood, Kelly highlight 5 Venice qualifiers
Wed Feb 12 2014 09:20AM

Venice High is sending five wrestlers, including two regional champions, to the state tournament. The Indians had two first-place finishers in Brent Smallwood at 113 and Zach Kelly at 126. Smallwood (34-12), trailing Barron Collier’s Brendon Eddington 15-5 late in … Find out how to read more online.

Venice lifters give strong showing at states
Wed Feb 12 2014 09:20AM

Venice High senior Beau Doyle won’t be able to say she placed at the state meet. But, ironically, she will be able to say she lifted just as much as a few of her peers who did. Doyle was one … Find out how to read more online.

Kovalski fans 16 in Indians 2-0 win
Wed Feb 12 2014 09:20AM

Venice Indians senior pitcher Nikki Kovalski has big plans for her final season of high school softball. After splitting time last season for the Indians, the pitching circle is all hers. On Tuesday night, Kovalski struck out 16 Riverview Rams … Find out how to read more online.

Five Indians sign letters of intent
Mon Feb 10 2014 11:40AM

Five Venice High student-athletes are officially on their way to playing at the next level after signing their national letters of intent during a ceremony in the school’s cafeteria Wednesday morning. Girls basketball player Maggie Flynn (Saint Leo) was joined … Find out how to read more online.

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