Venice Gondolier Sun

Venice Indians coach Larry Sandburg wanted to make sure his team didn’t overlook the Port Charlotte Pirates in the Class 6A-District 11 tournament matchup. The Indians dominated the first two meetings but needed a sixth-inning rally to defeat the Pirates … Find out how to read more online.

VHS to hold ceremony for college-bound athletes
Wed Apr 16 2014 09:10AM

Venice High will have a signing ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the new gym. Venice will have 15 athletes signing their letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. Signees include: swimmer Julia Dieffenwiert (Lenoir-Rhyne University); … Find out how to read more online.

Sport of tennis a lifelong affair for VHS twins
Wed Apr 16 2014 09:10AM

When the Venice Lady Indians take the court in today’s FHSAA State Tennis Finals in Altamonte Springs, it’s very likely they’ll have one thing that none of the other seven teams have that are competing for the Class 3A title: … Find out how to read more online.

Wed Apr 16 2014 09:10AM

VHS Baseball to host Veteran’s Night The Venice Indians baseball team will be hosting their third annual Veteran’s Night on Thursday when they take on North Port in their regular season finale at 7 p.m. All Vets and spouses will get … Find out how to read more online.

Big inning dooms Indians in loss to Sarasota
Wed Apr 16 2014 09:08AM

Ever since losing 4-2 to Sarasota on their home field on March 21, the Venice Indians baseball team had Tuesday’s rematch against the Sailors marked on their calendars. Unfortunately for the Indians, their shot at revenge will have to wait … Find out how to read more online.

Lady Indians softball loses, then wins big
Sun Apr 13 2014 01:10PM

On a night that looked like it was going to be a story of redemption for a Venice softball player, the Sarasota Lady Sailors spoiled the party after capitalizing on a couple of late key hits in a 2-1 victory … Find out how to read more online.

Lady Indians tennis advances to state finals
Sun Apr 13 2014 01:10PM

When the Venice Lady Indians tennis squad first got together for practices earlier this year, they had one big objective for this season: make it back to the FHSAA State Finals for the third time in the last four years. … Find out how to read more online.

Sun Apr 13 2014 01:10PM

Free athletic screenings The Venice Regional Bayfront Health Center is sponsoring free athletic screenings for high school students participating in athletic programs during the 2014-15 school year on the evening of April 29 in the new Venice High School gym. The … Find out how to read more online.

Indians dominate regional semifinals, fall in finals
Sun Apr 13 2014 01:10PM

Venice Indians Boys Tennis Coach Wayne Robertson tries to view each season separately. Success last season doesn’t portend success for the next season. Robertson may want to rethink that view as his team followed up last week’s district championship with … Find out how to read more online.

Huge inning lifts Indians over Port Charlotte
Sun Apr 13 2014 01:10PM

The first four innings of Friday night’s District 11 matchup between the Venice Indians and the Port Charlotte Pirates featured good pitching and great defensive plays from both teams. But the fifth inning was a completely different story after Venice … Find out how to read more online.

Sharky’s ‘Ride the Beaches’ on April 27
Sun Apr 13 2014 01:06PM

On Sunday, April 27, for the 12th consecutive year, Sharky’s will again be staging the area’s most popular bike ride — Ride the Beaches. Profits from the ride will once again go to supporting Livestrong, the charitable organization dedicated to … Find out how to read more online.

Little League Action
Wed Apr 9 2014 09:00AM

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Venetian Cup Regatta set for Saturday
Wed Apr 9 2014 09:00AM

The waters surrounding Venice will be filled with youth sailors and their small boats on Saturday when the Venice Youth Boating Association (VYBA) holds its annual regatta — which will now be called the Venetian Cup. A recent approval by … Find out how to read more online.

Freshman pitcher off to fast start for Miami
Wed Apr 9 2014 09:00AM

Cooper Hammond isn’t pitching like a freshman. The Venice High School graduate has been the right-handed setup man for the University of Miami’s 24th-ranked baseball team. One of two pitchers to appear in 16 games for the Hurricanes (20-12), Hammond … Find out how to read more online.

Gildner to play golf at Southeastern
Wed Apr 9 2014 09:00AM

Venice High School varsity golfer Grace Gildner has committed to play golf at Southeastern University in Lakeland beginning next fall. Gildner, a four-year starter who was Venice’s top player last year, has played a key role in the Indians’ success … Find out how to read more online.

Indians take third in Perfect Game tourney
Wed Apr 9 2014 09:00AM

After two strong performances to open the Perfect Game High School Showdown last weekend in Fort Myers, the Venice Indians appeared poised for a run to repeat as champions of the national showcase tournament. However, it wasn’t to be after … Find out how to read more online.

Golf’s Old Magic: I’m working on a theory
Wed Apr 9 2014 09:00AM

April arrives, “snowbirds” migrate North, “homesteaders” enjoy easier parking at the beaches — and less waiting time and lower prices on the golf courses. Speaking of golf — how can I avoid it? I look out my dining room window … Find out how to read more online.

As the new sports editor, let me introduce myself
Sun Apr 6 2014 01:24PM

O ver the last several weeks, you may have noticed that we’ve been going through a bit of a transition in our sports coverage at the Gondolier Sun — and with good reason: We’ve had a couple of different sports … Find out how to read more online.

Tennis teams win district championships
Sun Apr 6 2014 01:22PM

It was a very good week for the Venice Indians boys and girls tennis teams as they both came away with district championships at the Class 3A-District 10 tournament held at Treasure Bay Tennis Club on Treasure Island. After the … Find out how to read more online.

Kovalsky sends Venice seniors out with a bang
Sun Apr 6 2014 01:22PM

Coaches everywhere preach to the players to play every moment as if it’s their last chance to play. This season, senior pitcher Nikkie Kovalsky, senior catcher Taylor Baker and senior infielder Taylor Constantino have taken those words to heart. On … Find out how to read more online.

Sports Briefs
Sun Apr 6 2014 01:22PM

VHS Girls Basketball wins academic award The Venice High Girls basketball team has won the FHSAA 6A Team Academic Award. The girls had a 3.6 team GPA — tops for all 6A high schools in the state of Florida. This … Find out how to read more online.

Venice opens Perfect Game tourney with two wins
Sun Apr 6 2014 01:22PM

Coming off their 1-3 run in last weekend’s USA Baseball National High School Invitational tournament in North Carolina, the Venice Indians were looking to make a strong opening statement in this week’s Perfect Game High School Showdown in Fort Myers, … Find out how to read more online.

Have we forgotten Venetian Waterway Park?
Sun Apr 6 2014 01:20PM

It took almost eight years for the Venetian Waterway Park to be completed. Unlike most large projects, this one was planned by a cadre of volunteers representing Venice Area Beautification, Inc. in partnership with the City of Venice engineering department. … Find out how to read more online.

Indians look to defend title in Perfect Game tourney
Wed Apr 2 2014 08:00AM

The Venice Indians will be taking part in another national tournament this weekend as they look to defend their championship in the Perfect Game High School Showdown set to be played in Fort Myers. The tournament will feature 10 of … Find out how to read more online.

Kovalsky, strong offense power Venice to win
Wed Apr 2 2014 08:00AM

After a second inning where she hit three Riverview Lady Ram hitters with pitches, walked two more hitters and surrendered two runs, Venice pitcher Nikkie Kovalsky said she needed to go in the dugout, take a deep breath and relax … Find out how to read more online.

Effect of Rays’ spring training felt in region
Wed Apr 2 2014 08:00AM

As the days continue to lengthen, Major League Baseball’s Boys of Summer return to their home parks and area businesses begin looking at the economic effect of yet another spring training season in Charlotte County. Although she hasn’t seen the … Find out how to read more online.

Wed Apr 2 2014 08:00AM

Powell tourney needs players, sponsors, volunteers The Venice High School Athletic Department will be hosting the annual Jim Powell Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit all Venice High School athletics on April 26 at Capri Isles Golf Club. Registration for the … Find out how to read more online.

Falcons win Region C Cup
Sun Mar 30 2014 11:36AM

The Venice Area Youth Soccer Association’s Venice Falcons U16 Boys soccer team won in the finals of the Region C Cup after three prior weekends of play, including wins against Lee County Strikers in the quarterfinals, North Fort Myers’ Knights … Find out how to read more online.

Indians finish 1-3 in national tournament
Sun Mar 30 2014 11:34AM

Despite putting up some solid offensive numbers, the Venice Indians finished 1-3 in this week’s USA Baseball National High School Invitational tournament that featured 16 of the top prep baseball teams in the country in Cary, N.C. “We scored some … Find out how to read more online.

SKY Academy wins soccer championship
Sun Mar 30 2014 11:34AM

SKY Academy’s Boys’ sports teams completed their sweep of the Florida Sun Coast League’s boys’ sports seasons for the 2013-2014 school year with a team soccer championship earlier this month. The SKY Storm boys’ team won the charter middle school … Find out how to read more online.

Checking your bike is a key to safe riding
Sun Mar 30 2014 11:32AM

Venice is a Silver Bicycle Friendly City. That means it is a great place to ride a bike. However, just like any other form of transportation, bicycles require maintenance and safety practices. Here are few tips from the Venice Fire … Find out how to read more online.

‘Tour de Parks’ was a fantastic event
Sun Mar 30 2014 11:32AM

Cyclists’ participating in last Sunday’s Tour de Parks, put on by the Friends of The Legacy Trail, were treated to an outstanding event. Congratulations go to Mike Gippert, president of the FLT, and all the Friends volunteers for a successful … Find out how to read more online.

Venice tennis — a look through photos
Thu Mar 27 2014 08:00AM

In a rare event that has not occurred in nearly two decades, the Venice High boys and girls tennis teams played across many courts on the same day against the same opponent at Plantation Golf and Country Club. The opponent … Find out how to read more online.

Indians set for National High School Invitational tourney
Thu Mar 27 2014 08:00AM

Coming off their 4-2 loss to undefeated rival Sarasota Friday night, the Venice Indians are shifting their focus to this week’s USA Baseball National High School Invitational that will feature the top 16 high school baseball teams in the country … Find out how to read more online.

Girls tennis defeats St. Stephens
Mon Mar 24 2014 09:26AM

The Venice girls tennis team (9-2) defeated St. Stephens Episcopal School earlier this week in non-district action. Next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., the boys and girls Venice teams will be playing at Plantation Golf & Country Club across multiple courts. … Find out how to read more online.

Boys tennis defeats St. Stephens, Sarasota
Mon Mar 24 2014 09:18AM

The Venice High School boys tennis team defeated St. Stephens, 5-2, and Sarasota, 4-3, in action earlier this week. Venice now jumps to a record of 9-1 while St. Stephens drops to 7-4 and Sarasota drops to 7-2. The boys … Find out how to read more online.

Riverview ‘knuckles’ under the pressure, 10-0
Mon Mar 24 2014 09:18AM

Venice pitcher Kade Hunkapiller’s knuckleball proved to be too much for the Riverview Rams and the Indians’ offense did the rest in Venice’s 10-0 win over Riverview Wednesday night in Sarasota. The Indians wasted no time adjusting to Riverview starter … Find out how to read more online.

Area trails now have a czar
Mon Mar 24 2014 09:16AM

Our area network of trails now has a manager whose primary responsibility is to see the trails are properly maintained, and resolve those little problems that continually occur. That person is Ed Wolfenbarger, a longtime county Parks and Recreation employee … Find out how to read more online.

Venice has massive first inning in dominating win
Mon Mar 24 2014 09:18AM

Venice Indians coach Craig Faulkner sets goals for his baseball team every season. While a state championship is always a goal, Faulkner wants his team to understand the process that goes into winning and follow the steps to success. The … Find out how to read more online.

Venetian Cup Regatta coming home April 12
Wed Mar 19 2014 09:02AM

The waters surrounding Venice will be filled with youth sailors and their small boats when the Venice Youth Boating Association (VYBA) holds its annual regatta — which will now be called the Venetian Cup — on April 12. A recent … Find out how to read more online.

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