Sports

Omni Resort executive chef Omar Collazo is pictured preparing his winning recipe during last weekend’s Fish to Fork competition at the Omni.

Omni Resort executive chef Omar Collazo is pictured preparing his winning recipe during last weekend’s Fish to Fork competition at the Omni.

Fish to Fort, bluewater fishing

The Omni Resort held its eighth annual Fish to Fork event over the weekend, and renowned chefs from all parts of the country participated in the event.
The Fernandina Beach High School boys basketball team will host a clinic for students in grades 3-8 from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, in the gym. There is no charge for the clinic. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

The Fernandina Beach High School boys basketball team will host a clinic for students in grades 3-8 from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, in the gym. There is no charge for the clinic. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Pirates offer free hoops clinic on Saturday

FBHS’s Luke Twardy will compete in the state track and field meet Thursday at the University of North Florida. Photo by Penny Glackin/Special

FBHS’s Luke Twardy will compete in the state track and field meet Thursday at the University of North Florida. Photo by Penny Glackin/Special

Pirates send trio to state track meet

In a remarkable display of talent and dedication, the Fernandina Beach High School track team showcased its depth at the regional competition held at the University of North Florida on May 7.

Willis named head football coach at FBHS

A Pirate is once again at the helm of the football program at Fernandina Beach High School. Blake Willis, a 2009 alum, is the new head football coach. “When I was here, we had a little bit of success,” Willis said. “My junior year, we went to the playoffs. We went 8-2.
Yulee’s Coen Brehmer is a state weightlifting champion. Special photo

Yulee’s Coen Brehmer is a state weightlifting champion. Special photo

Brehmer captures Yulee’s second state title

Modupe takes second place at 238 pounds. Yulee has its second state champion, and first male champ, after Coen Brehmer captured first place in the 119-pound weight class Saturday during the high school weightlifting champi-onships at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
Pirates host Toros in home finale. Photo by Penny Glackin/Special

Pirates host Toros in home finale. Photo by Penny Glackin/Special

Pirates host Toros in home finale

The regular seasons  are winding down for Fernandina Beach and Yulee high schools’ baseball and softball teams. The FBHS baseball team (9-10) hosted Tocoi Creek on Wednesday night in the final home game of the sea-son. The visiting Toros beat the Pirates 13-8.
Reese Kubatzke hits the ball while teammate Zatie Venditti looks on Tuesday, when the Fernandina Beach High School’s inaugural beach volleyball team hosted Episcopal at Main Beach. The FBHS Lady Pirates host Middleburg Monday. The match starts at 4 p.m. Photo by Penny Glackin/For the News-Leader

Reese Kubatzke hits the ball while teammate Zatie Venditti looks on Tuesday, when the Fernandina Beach High School’s inaugural beach volleyball team hosted Episcopal at Main Beach. The FBHS Lady Pirates host Middleburg Monday. The match starts at 4 p.m. Photo by Penny Glackin/For the News-Leader

Sandsational showdown

Fernandina Beach High School’s inaugural beach volleyball team hosted the Episcopal Lady Eagles Tuesday afternoon at Main Beach. The FBHS Lady Pirates lost to Episcopal 5-0. “All our matches were close,” coach Brian Evatt said. The Lady Pirates host Middleburg Monday at 4 p.m. 
Lady Hornets beat Hilliard 15-5. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Lady Hornets beat Hilliard 15-5. Photo by Beth Jones/News-Leader

Lady Hornets beat Hilliard 15-5, now 5-2

The Yulee softball team (5-2) beat Hilliard 15-5 Wednesday. “We played almost a perfect game, except one inning,” said Chris Hicken, head softball coach at Yulee High School. Senior pitcher Riley Kapparis gave up no earned runs, and Sam Joiner hit her third home run and had four RBIs.
Enzo Gamba, a senior at Fernandina Beach High School, won the state championship in the 157-pound weight class Saturday during the 1A wrestling championships at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. Gamba’s coaches celebrate in the background. FBHS PHOTOS BY ERIN MAHONEY AND STORMY KUBATZKE/SPECIAL

Enzo Gamba, a senior at Fernandina Beach High School, won the state championship in the 157-pound weight class Saturday during the 1A wrestling championships at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. Gamba’s coaches celebrate in the background. FBHS PHOTOS BY ERIN MAHONEY AND STORMY KUBATZKE/SPECIAL

State champion

Enzo Gamba capped a perfect senior season by clinching the state title in the 156-pound weight class of 1A wrestling tournament Saturday in Kissimmee. He’s just the fifth state champ from Fernandina Beach High School, and is the school and Nassau County’s first in wrestling.
region champs Kubatzke, Cole Misciagna, Enzo Gamba and Nolan McKelvy; Misciagna; Gamba; and McKelvy. PHOTOS BY ERIN MAHONEY AND STORMY KUBATZKE/SPECIAL

region champs Kubatzke, Cole Misciagna, Enzo Gamba and Nolan McKelvy; Misciagna; Gamba; and McKelvy. PHOTOS BY ERIN MAHONEY AND STORMY KUBATZKE/SPECIAL

Four Pirates crowned region champs

The Pirates have four region champs, and all four qualified for the state tournament this weekend.