Sports & Leisure

Front row, left to right: Guard Director Samson Tuliao, Brooke Hoffman, Alexis Sandrik, Band Director Randy Salinas. 2nd row, left to right: Valin Gallop, Lily Cates, Sarah Krivensky. 3rd row, left to right: Sam Haggard, Lexie McBride, Hanna Tully. 4th row left to right: Aaron Perkins, Aubrey Dockins, Sierra Craver. 5th row left to right: Karlee McCann, Audrey Contreras. Top row: Tommy Czerkawski, Hans Toth. (photo submitted)

Front row, left to right: Guard Director Samson Tuliao, Brooke Hoffman, Alexis Sandrik, Band Director Randy Salinas. 2nd row, left to right: Valin Gallop, Lily Cates, Sarah Krivensky. 3rd row, left to right: Sam Haggard, Lexie McBride, Hanna Tully. 4th row left to right: Aaron Perkins, Aubrey Dockins, Sierra Craver. 5th row left to right: Karlee McCann, Audrey Contreras. Top row: Tommy Czerkawski, Hans Toth. (photo submitted)

Fletcher Winter Guard takes first place

The Fletcher High Winter Guard competed at the Florida Federation of Color Guard Championships in Daytona March 27, earning a first-place finish. The team came back gold medalists and the Class AAA 2021 Champions. The team was guided by Band Director Randy Salinas and Guard Director Samson Tuliao.

Lady Sharks celebrate 17-7 season

The Ponte Vedra girls basketball team officially ended its season with a year-end banquet. The Lady Sharks celebrated their 17-7 season and a trip to the State 5A Regional Semi-Final.

Whiting are biting with rising temperature

Despite these lingering cold nights, the days are getting longer and the water is slowly getting warmer. With spring on the First Coast comes a huge migration of baitfish and nearshore pelagic predators. The first small pogies have been showing along area beaches for a few weeks now.

Lady Sharks score lacrosse victory over Bartram High School

The Ponte Vedra Lady Sharks lacrosse team (8-3) played Bartram High School (12-2) in the first “Rivalry on the River” at Episcopal High School March 27. The contest pitted the two top girls lax programs in the county – and two of the top 10 girls lacrosse programs in the state – against each other.
The Freedom Dock Dash gives contestants a chance to win a one-hour tiki boat ride with Cruisin’ Tikis St. Augustine in addition to other prizes. (photo submitted)

The Freedom Dock Dash gives contestants a chance to win a one-hour tiki boat ride with Cruisin’ Tikis St. Augustine in addition to other prizes. (photo submitted)

Freedom Dock Dash Contest continues

Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville’s Freedom Dock Dash Contest is underway. The event kicks off the spring boating season and supports one of six charities supporting COVID-19 pandemic-related causes.

Ponte Vedra defeats Tallahassee Leon in tennis action

Ponte Vedra defeated Tallahassee Leon 7-0 in tennis action. Ellie Stamatogiannakis (PV) defeated Abby Reed 6-1, 6-1. Anna Handley (PV) defeated Olivia Vigliotti 7-5, 6-2. Bella Toby (PV) defeated Mason Anne Evans 6-1, 6-0. Kathleen Hawkins (PV) defeated Lainie Henry  6-2, 6-1.

Vary bait to catch flounder, redfish and trout

Spring is here, but the warming trend we have all been hoping for stalled for at least another week. Local ocean water temperatures are 5 degrees cooler than this time last year, and that’s slowed down the bite comparatively.
Para Ou put on the foul weather gear and pulled in a great sheepshead despite the tough conditions last weekend. (photo submitted)

Para Ou put on the foul weather gear and pulled in a great sheepshead despite the tough conditions last weekend. (photo submitted)

Offshore fishing about to open up

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic week and looking like a beautiful weekend ahead on the First Coast. The cold rain and howling winds of last week are hopefully the last of what winter has to offer, and we can get on with spring.
Jocelenn Walls and Summer DiStefano. (photo submitted)

Jocelenn Walls and Summer DiStefano. (photo submitted)

Lady Senators score softball wins

The Fletcher girls softball team scored three big wins last week, including The Battle of the Beaches when the team took down Ponte Vedra 11-5. This was Senior Night for Jocelenn Walls and Summer DiStefano.

Atlantic Beach men discover common ground – on the water

Reconnecting years after high school, two Atlantic Beach men discovered common ground on the water. Tommy Jones and Blake Kingsbury created a new start-up business combining style and function into a sleek fishing vessel. With Vela Boatworks, the friends didn’t waste any time starting small.