Sports | Clay Today

Fleming Island High grad and state swim champion Maryn McDade, bottom left, was part of eight swimmer Florida State University womens swim teams that competed at NCAA swimming championships over the weekend. McDade is just a freshman.

FIHS' McDade part of FSU swim squad at NCAAs

The Florida State swimming and diving team had eight student-athletes in competition at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championship from March 19-22 at the Weyhauser King County Aquatic Center … more

By Randy Lefko claytodayonline.com | 3/27/25

Fleming Island High's Dehmir Jackson won his 219 Clay County title in Olympics with a 540-480 gap over Keystone Heights' Trase Wooden. Jackson is a top state contender for a state run in two weeks.

Area weightlifters take first step to state

Area teams got their final flexes as district championships are scheduled for March 24-29. District 1-3A, Region 1: Oakleaf, Bartram Trail, Creekside, Nease, Tocoi Creek at Nease, Friday, March … more

3/27/25

Oakleaf High batter Jeter Farina finished this two run double in the third inning to give Knights (9-9) a 3-0 lead over Middleburg on Monday, March 24 as Knights pushed to an 11-0 win. Farina, standing next to Middleburg second baseman Ethan Karaim, accounted for five runs for Oakleaf.

OHS Farina bashes Broncos for five runs

MIDDLEBURG - Oakleaf High baseball got five runs off hits by Jeter Farina; one a two run double to a 3-0 lead, to win an 11-0 game over Middleburg on Monday, March 24 in a return to area baseball … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/27/25

Fairways & Ferris Wheels

The annual Fairways & Ferris Wheels nine-hole golf tournament and dinner took place March 20 at Fleming Island Golf Course. Participants included members and County Fair sponsors. The event … more

3/27/25

Oakleaf High's Alex Memrick, right, battles with Ridgeview's Braidyn Matz in 4 x 800 meter race at Clay County Track and Field Championships held Tuesday, March 25 at Middleburg High School.

Oakleaf boys, SJCDS girls take county track titles

MIDDLEBURG - Oakleaf High School's boys track team took an overwhelming 100-plus point win at the Clay County Track and Field Championships held Tuesday, March 25 at Middleburg High School while, in … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/26/25

Middleburg High opened their post Spring Break season with a tough 4-2 loss to 7A-Creekside; here with baserunner KK Hagan getting close to stealing second base in late innings of Creekside loss. Hagan was out.

Broncos, Knights, Indians softball fall to biggies

MIDDLEBURG - Spring Break is over and the second half of baseball, softball and flag football revved up on Tuesday, March 25 as area teams had to shake off the extra pounds of a week off to ready … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/26/25

Middleburg High pitcher Ethan Karaim held tough on the m ound against Eagle's View with a slim 1-0 lead from the third inning, but held with nine strikeouts for what could be a pivotal win for the Broncos who face four tough teams; three on the road, to finish March.

Broncos hold 1-0; tough pitching, tough defense

JACKSONVILLE - An early 1-0 lead held for seven innings as the Middleburg High Broncos baseball team took the solo run to the end to beat a game Eagles' View Academy team on their home diamond. … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/22/25

Ridgeview catcher Nicole Deschamps has become the vocal leader of the Panthers after moving from third base to catcher due to injuries and was critical in Panthers 4-2 win over 14th ranked Yulee.

Lady Panthers topple 14th ranked Yulee

OAKLEAF - Ridgeview High softball coach Angela Agurkis summoned the spirits of her state championship days at Oakleaf High School when she was the catcher for coach Christina Thompson and created a … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/21/25

St. Johns Country Day School got two homers from Preston Cole to take out No. 1 ranked Neumann of Naples 9-2 on Thursday at St. Johns.

Wake up! Spartans bats blast four dingers

ORANGE PARK - With four homers coming on their home field, St. Johns Country Day School baseball may have reestablished itself at the top of the Class 1A rankings after a brief spot the number two … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/21/25

Oakleaf High weightlifter Christian Rodriguez blasts some energy before winning his 169 pound weight division at the Clay County Championships held Friday at Keystone Heights.

Keystone Heights tops county iron teams

KEYSTONE HEIGHTS - After a decade of dominance as repeat boys state weightlifting champions, the Keystone Heights High boys weightlifting team answered the bell for yet another Clay County … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/20/25

Clay High punt returners Tatum Waugh, No. 6, and Yuliana Garcia lose control of ball on Ridgeview punt in Blue Devils' 21-0 win over Panthers.

Holy Moses! Teaghan returns with a flash

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High flag football quarterback Teaghan Moses returned to action after a long off-year of knee rehabilitation, stood in the pocket and delivered a strike to wide receiver … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/20/25

Fleming Island relief pitcher Jaxon Hatten hurls while Clay baserunner LJ Martin heads to second base in Golden Eagles' 5-1 win Friday night.

Fleming Island "almost" gets Clay upset

FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island High baseball coach Mike Martino has always been steadfastly optimistic that, at some point, his very young team will find the maturity and enthusiasm to play as well … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/20/25

Clay High sophomore pitcher Malia Collins had a career night with an upset win over Fleming Island, 8-5. Clay youth has added hint of unpredictability to coach Matt Lewis season plan.

Soph pitcher fuels Blue Devil upset

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High sophomore pitcher Malia Collin controlled the bats of the Fleming Island lineup with Brooke Hamilton sprinting to an inside-the-park homer to punch up an 8-5 upset win … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/20/25

Orange Park baseball coach George Eldredge has been close for five innings against some of the best teams on his schedule, but must find a way to close the final two innings with a graduation that took 10 seniors from last year's surprise district championship team that beat Clay and lost a 1-0 region playoff game to Final Four finisher Tallahassee Lincoln. In a Wednesday tournament game against 6A Fletcher, Orange Park had the game at just 1-0 into the sixth before losing 2-0.

Raiders to be Cinderella again?

JACKSONVILLE - Orange Park baseball coach George Eldredge has a bit of an optimistic glimmer in his eye when talking about his Raider baseball team that last year stormed the castle with a thrilling … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/19/25

St. Johns Country Day School baseball coach Tom Lucas has a dilemma on his hands with a lineup of injured personnel, four losses in a row including an 11-3 blasting against 5A-Columbia with five field errors, and one of toughest schedules in the state; No. 1 Neumann of Naples coming to visit on Thursday against the No. 2 St. Johns Spartans in a clash of the top two teams in Class 1A.

Spartan errors costly prior to No. 1 visit

LAKE CITY - St. Johns Country Day School baseball coach Tom Lucas may be in a sort of lull in his season to defend last year's state champion season, but the optimism must come from the dugout. … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/19/25

Rory McIlroy contemplates a putt on the ninth hole in Sunday's rain-delayed final round that ended with McIlroy tied at 12 under with J.J. Spaun to create a Monday morning three-hole playoff (9 a.m., 16,17, 18).

PLAYERS goes into overtime

PONTE VEDRA BEACH - After about a four hour delay due to lightning strikes and rain, the final round of the PLAYERS Championship golf tournament finished up with two guys playing out the final two … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/16/25

Clay High quarterback Teaghan Moses returned to the Blue Devil offense with a quick 30 yard pass to Yuliana Garcia en route to a 21-0 win over Ridgeview.

Holy Moses! Teaghan returns with a flash

GREEN COVE SPRINGS - Clay High flag football quarterback Teaghan Moses returned to action after a long off-year of knee rehabilitation, stood in the pocket and delivered a strike to wide receiver … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/14/25

Fleming Island senior 150 wrestler Laird Duhaylungsod went into three overtime periods before falling in the Class 2A championships to Somerset High's Tristan Saintz at Saturday's FHSAA state wrestling championships in Kissimmee.

FIHS Duhaylungsod falls in OT final

KISSIMMEE - Clay High wrestling coach Jim Reape, no stranger to state wrestling success, got medals from all six of his athletes led by senior Jacob Bucci snagging a third place medal while … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/13/25

Middleburg High senior Cheyenne Cruce's attempt to win three straight titles fell short with her third place finish Saturday in Kissimmee at the FHSAA Girls Wrestling Championships.

No "Three-Peat"; MHS Cruce gets third

KISSIMMEE - Middleburg High 190 wrestler Cheyenne Cruce may have thought she was wrestling in a fog of deja vu as her quest for a third straight 190 state title was halted with a third place finish … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/13/25

The boys 1600 meters race gets going at the Panthers Invitational track meet held at Ridgeview on Thursday, March 6. Winner was Keystone Heights' James Thomas in 5:02.95.

Panthers/Bronco track flips at Panther Invite

ORANGE PARK - Ridgeview High's girls track team, led by sprinter Oja Riggs' wins in the 100 and 200 dashes, got big team numbers in their first home meet of the year with a 217.50 point total taking … more

By Randy Lefko randy@claytodayonline.com | 3/13/25

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