Top Manatee County sports highlights in 2025

This collection of stories highlights notable sports achievements and moments from Manatee County in 2025.

There were some big wins, including national championship titles, for high school athletes in several sports. Other athletes with local connections marked big career moments, including Super Bowl and World Series appearances and retirement from professional soccer.

Read more about some of the year's biggest local sports moments below.

IMG Academy’s girls basketball team won its first national title on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The Ascenders defeated Montverde Academy, 80-78, in overtime at the Chipotle Nationals.

NO. 1: IMG ACADEMY’S GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM MAKES HISTORY AT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Ascenders played Montverde Academy for the national title. | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Philadelphia Eagles safety Sydney Brown (21) celebrates his interception with teammates against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan 5, 2025 in PA. By Eric Hartline

NO. 2: FROM BRADENTON TO THE SUPER BOWL. THESE PRO FOOTBALL ATHLETES PLAYED IN MANATEE COUNTY

2025's Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and the Eagles featured three pros who played in Bradenton. | Published February 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

NO. 3: BRADENTON’S IMG ACADEMY DEBUTS SOFTBALL PROGRAM LED BY OLYMPIAN COACH. MEET THE RECRUITS

Olympic bronze medalist Joey Lye is IMG’s new softball director. | Published January 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Nelly Korda follows the trajectory of her golf ball on hole 5 during the first round of the LPGA at Bradenton Country Club on Thursday. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 4: NELLY KORDA DEFENDS LPGA TOUR TITLE IN BRADENTON

The tournament was in February at the Bradenton Country Club. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Tampa Bay Sun midfielder Erika Tymrak, a Bradenton native, is retiring after 13 professional soccer seasons. Her last regular-season home match was Saturday, May 24, 2025. By Mike Carlson, Tampa Bay Sun

NO. 5: BRADENTON NATIVE ERIKA TYMRAK’S PRO SOCCER CAREER IS ENDING SOON. WHAT’S NEXT?

The former University of Florida and IMG Academy star played for the Tampa Bay Sun. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

IMG Academy’s girls 4x800 relay team set national records and became the first quartet to sweep four major high school track meets in 2025. Team members include Aurora Bertelsen Del Solar, Mackenzie Winning, Danielle Graham and Anyla Robinson. By Provided photo

NO. 6: THIS MANATEE COUNTY TRACK TEAM IS THE FASTEST IN U.S. HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY

They set national records for their blistering speed in the 4x800 meter relay. | Published June 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

IMG Academy’s baseball team was crowned the 2025 MaxPreps national champion. The Ascenders went 24-1. It’s the program’s second national title in three seasons.

NO. 7: MANATEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM WINS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

They finished the season with a 24-1 record. | Published June 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

John Lucian Goins, 17, recently won his first PPA (Professional Pickleball Association) Tour title. Here he plays at the Laurel Oaks Country Club on August 15, 2025. The Bradenton resident won the men's singles championship at the Veolia Bristol Open in Tennessee. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 8: BRADENTON TEEN IS TAKING PRO PICKLEBALL WORLD BY STORM. MEET JOHN LUCIAN GOINS

On a sun-splashed late August morning, John Lucian Goins hits groundstroke after groundstroke along the baseline of a pickleball court at Sarasota’s private Laurel Oak Country Club. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 9, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. By Trevor Ruszkowski

NO. 9: THIS NBA TEAM IS RETURNING TO BRADENTON FOR TRAINING CAMP AT IMG ACADEMY

The Cleveland Cavaliers are returning to Bradenton ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season. | Published September 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

The 1975 Palmetto Tigers reunited 50 years after winning Manatee County’s first state football championship. From left to right: quarterback Ronnie Deans, wide receiver Wilmore Fowler, head coach Frank Turner, running back Jackie Garvin and offensive lineman Tom Tryon. By Jason Dill

NO. 10: ‘EXTRAORDINARY’ PALMETTO FOOTBALL TEAM REUNITES 50 YEARS AFTER HISTORIC SEASON

The years have passed, but their memories have held fast. | Published October 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Myles Straw #3 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts prior to game five of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on October 17, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Today is Straw's birthday. By Alika Jenner

NO. 11: THIS BRADEN RIVER HIGH SCHOOL GRAD PLAYED IN THE MLB 2025 WORLD SERIES

Here's what to know about this pro baseball player's local roots. | Published October 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

IMG Academy held a groundbreaking for its Aquatic Center, which is scheduled to begin construction on Dec. 1 with an estimated completion date of 2027. The Ascenders also launched their newest program, swimming, on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. By Provided rendering

NO. 12: IMG ACADEMY ADDS NEW SPORTS PROGRAM, BRADENTON FACILITY TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION

IMG Academy is adding a sports program and a facility to its Bradenton campus. | Published November 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.