Sports

Credit- The Omni

Credit- The Omni

Firecracker 5K lights up holiday weekend

Fireworks weren’t the only bang over Fourth of July weekend: 720 entrants heard the starting gun blast as they ran the Firecracker 5K at the Omni, traversing the resort’s property.The highest four placers were a quartet of teenagers: Charles Carlson (16:49.
Journey Flannery, right, talks to Lucas Flannery between matches at a high school wrestling meet. Submitted

Journey Flannery, right, talks to Lucas Flannery between matches at a high school wrestling meet. Submitted

Sibling duo to take on Fargo

Local wrestlers and siblings Lucas and Journey Flannery are preparing to compete in the biggest tournament of their wrestling careers thus far — the Fargo Championships. For top-level wrestlers, making it to the Fargo National Championships is a feat. The U.S.
Kellie Boston leads the small-group Aqua Yoga classes held twice monthly at the Atlantic Recreation Center. Submitted

Kellie Boston leads the small-group Aqua Yoga classes held twice monthly at the Atlantic Recreation Center. Submitted

Locals take part in Aqua Yoga

Aqua Yoga is making a splash at the Atlantic Recreation Center, offering a unique fitness experience that combines the gentle resistance of water with the mindful movements of traditional yoga.
Construction of the Fernandina Beach High School stadium is nearing completion. Work continued Tuesday on the track, field and concession stand. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Construction of the Fernandina Beach High School stadium is nearing completion. Work continued Tuesday on the track, field and concession stand. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

FBHS stadium construction moves along

Work is continuing on Pirate Stadium and it could be completed next month. Excavators began to tear down 40-year-old home bleachers in February, part of a $2.4 million demolition and replacement, one of multiple projects underway.
The Nassau County Special Olympics Surf Team enjoy time practicing on the beach. Submitted photo

The Nassau County Special Olympics Surf Team enjoy time practicing on the beach. Submitted photo

Surf’s up for Olympics team

The Nassau County Special Olympics Surf Team has begun practicing for their annual competition in Coco Beach Florida each August. The team was formed in 2014 with six athletes participating and has since grown to consist of 21 athletes out of Nassau County.
Ashley Ellis, Maureen Twohig, Megan Laughlin, Becky Watt, Elizabeth Hall, and Andrea Virgil. Submitted photo

Ashley Ellis, Maureen Twohig, Megan Laughlin, Becky Watt, Elizabeth Hall, and Andrea Virgil. Submitted photo

A journey to find a cure

An all-female rowing group known as the Human Powered Potential’s Second Wave team has been revving up their training schedule in preparation to become the first to row The Great American Loop.
Fans celebrate a U.S. goal on Friday while watching the US Men’s National Team play Australia in a World Cup group stage match.

Fans celebrate a U.S. goal on Friday while watching the US Men’s National Team play Australia in a World Cup group stage match.

Locals pack Mocama for USA vs. Australia

The cheers erupted inside Mocama Beer and Coffee long before the final whistle.Dozens of soccer fans packed the Fernandina Beach brewery and coffee shop Friday afternoon to watch the U.S. Men’s National Team take on Australia in a pivotal World Cup group-stage match.
Yulee High had more than 50 attendees for its football camp last week. Submitted photo

Yulee High had more than 50 attendees for its football camp last week. Submitted photo

Yulee youth ready to sting

Yulee summer sports programs are underway, using summer vacation to teach the school’s future athletes the tricks of the trade and to have fun. The Hornets wrapped up their three-day football camp last week.
Amelia Island Youth Soccer Club and other local soccer fans pack Mocama on Friday night to watch the USA men’s national team open 2026 World Cup play against Paraguay. USA won 4-1.  Submitted photo

Amelia Island Youth Soccer Club and other local soccer fans pack Mocama on Friday night to watch the USA men’s national team open 2026 World Cup play against Paraguay. USA won 4-1. Submitted photo

AISC, locals celebrate USA 4-1 first-game win

Late Friday night, around the time Mocama on 8th Street typically closes down, a crowd of locals were gathered for a night of world-class soccer featuring America’s best.The United States Men’s Soccer team did not disappoint, opening World Cup group play with a 4-1 win over Paraguay.
Local youth take part in the Amelia Island Surf Co. summer surf camp.  Photo by Brian Bowen

Local youth take part in the Amelia Island Surf Co. summer surf camp. Photo by Brian Bowen

Respect the ocean’s power

In Fernandina Beach, the next generation of surfers is being taught the art form and learning to respect “the ocean’s power,” according to a surf camp instructor.Scott Kellogg, Amelia Island Surf Co. co-owner, has run the surf camp since 2004.