Sports

Fernandina Beach High School’s Maya Kovalcik (1600m race), finished seventh at the State Championships in Track and Field last week. Photo by Cedric Gillette

Fernandina Beach High School’s Maya Kovalcik (1600m race), finished seventh at the State Championships in Track and Field last week. Photo by Cedric Gillette

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FBHS track celebrates state placers; pivot to new track in ’27

Nick Blank
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Two Fernandina Beach Pirates Track & Field put in strong performances at state championships in Jacksonville last week. At the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium, freshman Maya Kovalcik (1600m race) and junior Samuel Colwell (high jump) both placed.
Yulee High School’s Turtle Ricks competes in the FHSAA Weightlifing State Championships last week. Ricks placed first in Olympic Weightlifting and third in Traditional Weightlifting. Photos by Hitsquad Media

Yulee High School’s Turtle Ricks competes in the FHSAA Weightlifing State Championships last week. Ricks placed first in Olympic Weightlifting and third in Traditional Weightlifting. Photos by Hitsquad Media

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Ricks snatches state title

Nick Blank
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Yulee High School’s weightlifting squad left Polk County with a state title and multiple strong performances at the state championship last week. Senior Turtle Ricks won the unlimited weight class by 55 pounds in the Olympic category and finished third in traditional, 35 points behind first place.
Lady Hornet softball players await Carmen Overstreet at home plate after she knocked a homerun in Wednesday’s regional tournament win over the West Nassau Warriors.Photo by Amanda Bishop/Nassau County Record

Lady Hornet softball players await Carmen Overstreet at home plate after she knocked a homerun in Wednesday’s regional tournament win over the West Nassau Warriors.Photo by Amanda Bishop/Nassau County Record

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Lady Hornets head to regional semis

Ashley Chandler
Friday, May 8, 2026
The Yulee High School softball team traveled across the county Wednesday to West Nassau High to face off for the third time this season in the regional quarterfinal.
Game One of the Pirates three-game regional tournament series against Suwannee. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Game One of the Pirates three-game regional tournament series against Suwannee. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Pirates fall to Suwannee Bulldogs in three-game Regional Semifinal

Nick Blank
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Fernandina Beach dropped a three-game series in the 3A state Regional Semifinals against the Suwannee Bulldogs (19-12), with a 5-1 defeat in the third game on Sunday ending the Pirates’ season.The series featured a doubleheader on Friday night.
Charleston Knight signs her letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Charleston Knight signs her letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Five Pirates sign to compete at the next level in their sport

Ashley Chandler
Monday, May 4, 2026
On Wednesday after classes ended at Fernandina Beach High School, coaches praised some of their top athletes: “Incredibly hard-working, incredibly smart” and “maybe the best athlete I’ve ever had” were just a few of the comments made by coaches.
Harlow Smith screen blocks for quarterback Brooke Reid in Tuesday’s district game against Ribault. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

Harlow Smith screen blocks for quarterback Brooke Reid in Tuesday’s district game against Ribault. Photo by Nick Blank/News-Leader

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Hornets vie for Districts

Nick Blank
Friday, April 24, 2026
The Yulee Hornets (10- 5) flattened the Ribault Trojans 32-6 on Tuesday in Jacksonville thanks to a strong start as they pushed toward the district championship game.
Magdalena (Magda) Urbanowicz prepares to serve in a February match at Yulee High School. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Magdalena (Magda) Urbanowicz prepares to serve in a February match at Yulee High School. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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Exchange student becomes first YHS girls tennis player to make it to district finals

Marisa DeMar
Friday, April 24, 2026
Magdalena (Magda) Urbanowicz made Yulee High School history in the FHSAA Class 2A District Tennis Tournament at Fernandina Beach High School last week. with her performance, Urbanowicz became the first YHS student to make it to the singles finals at districts.
Fernandina Beach High School hosted boys and girls tennis districts from April 14-16. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

Fernandina Beach High School hosted boys and girls tennis districts from April 14-16. Photo by Marisa DeMar/News-Leader

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FBHS girls tennis earns district title, boys take second

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The Fernandina Beach High School boys and girls tennis teams’ performances in districts last week clinched their spots in the regional tournament; and the girl’s doubles team earned an automatic bid to state.
The Pirates celebrate earning the district title last week. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

The Pirates celebrate earning the district title last week. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

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DISTRICT CHAMPS: Pirates put away Warriors early to seal title

Nick Blank
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
With a 10-0 win over the West Nassau Warriors on Thursday to clinch back-to-back District wins, the Fernandina Beach Pirates will enter the playoffs as a No. 2 seed.Preston Matricardi threw a no-hitter, and Trace Farmer and John Addington had 3 RBIs in a dominating performance.
The Hornets celebrate following a three-run homerun by Daylon Adams in Tuesday’s 10-3 district tournament quarterfinal win over Terry Parker.

The Hornets celebrate following a three-run homerun by Daylon Adams in Tuesday’s 10-3 district tournament quarterfinal win over Terry Parker.

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Pirates, Hornets grab decisive wins in early rounds of districts

Nick Blank
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Fernandina Beach and Yulee surged through the opening round of Districts on Monday, with the Hornets defeating Terry Parker 10-3 and the Pirates taking down Andrew Jackson 10-0.