Sports

PHOTOS BY BETZY MITCHELL/SPECIAL

Nassau surfers compete at state

News Staff

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

The Nassau County Special Olympics surf team headed to Cocoa Beach Aug. 23 for the 2024, two-day state surfing competition. This year’s competition brought 115 athletes representing 14 counties to the beach. Divisions for this com-petition were based on an athlete’s skill level, age and gender.

Jeays Matz in action. Submitted photo

Matz representing USA in Italy

Beth Jones

Thursday, August 29, 2024

She started playing roller hockey at Main Beach a decade ago. On Tuesday, Jeays Matz, 17, of Fernandina Beach flew to Italy, where she’s competing as a member of the USA junior women’s inline hockey team.

Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Loss for Hornets, win for Pirates Friday

Beth Jones

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Yulee struck first Friday night in the season opener at home. T.J. Williamson reeled in a pass from quarterback Preston Matricardi for a touchdown in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead over Union County.

Hometown Hero Celebrated. Photos by Beth Jones, News-Leader, and Penny Glackin, Special for the News-Leader

Hometown Hero Celebrated: Poe Pinson Skate Park

News Staff

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Poe Pinson has come full circle. The 19-year-old celebrated her fourth birthday on her first board at the park at Main Beach. On Friday, it was officially named in her honor. Pinson made her Olympic debut at the Paris Olympics on July 28. She made it to the finals, where she finished fifth.

PHOTOS BY PENNY GLACKIN/SPECIAL

Pirates host Eagles tonight in opener

Beth Jones

Friday, August 16, 2024

It’s Friday, and that mean’s Friday night football around Florida as the high school seasons kick off. The Pirates are at home with the Zarephath Eagles. It’s the season opener for the Fernandina Beach High School football team and the debut for first-year head coach Blake Willis.

Valkyrie and Tiger Tale close hauled during the Amelia Island Sailing Club race held on Saturday. Submitted photo

No. 7: A slow race on a beautiful day

Beth Jones

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

The Amelia Island Sailing Club’s seventh race of the year was held Saturday, Aug. 10, in conditions that could not be farther from what the area experienced just days before with Hurricane Debby. Winds were light and variable from the south/southwest, and dead calm at times.

Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Official Strongman Games qualifier

Beth Jones

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

The Official Strongman Games southeast regional qualifier was held Saturday and Sunday and Main Beach, and men and women displayed their athletic prowess by lifting cars, pressing logs and pulling a Pirate ship. The top three move on to the world final Dec.

From left: Olympian Poe Pinson with NBA players Anthony Edwards, Jason Taytum and LeBron James at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Submitted photo

Poe and co. play in Paris

Ashley Chandler

Sunday, August 4, 2024

Needless to say, the trip to Paris was one to remember for Poe Pinson and those who accompanied her. “I never really set expectations on competitions or trips, kinda just vibe in the moment and feel stuff out,” Pinson told the News-Leader through text message.

Poe Pinson with her trainer Mei Pruitt, in Paris. Submitted

Pinson’s in Paris, kicking off Olympics

Beth Jones

Friday, July 26, 2024

The opening ceremonies for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, are today, and Poe Pinson of Fernandina Beach is there representing the U.S. women’s skateboarding team. Pinson and her teammates compete Sunday. The preliminaries are scheduled from 6-11 a.m., and the final starts at 11 a.m.

Elijah Mullican, 15, and Caleb Mullican, 12. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Brothers competing in pétanque world qualifier

Beth Jones

Friday, July 19, 2024

The Mullican brothers will compete this weekend in a world championship qualifier. Elijah, 15, and his little brother, Caleb, are in Denver, Colo., for the Federation of Pétanque USA 2024 Juniors World Championship Qualifier.