Sports

From left, Ryan Mack, Scott Kellogg, Brian Bowen and Ben Gravy at the festival in 2025. Submitted photo

From left, Ryan Mack, Scott Kellogg, Brian Bowen and Ben Gravy at the festival in 2025. Submitted photo

Amelia Island skate and film festival goes international

Ashley Chandler
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Amelia Island officially has another international event.From 1 p.m. until late at night on June 20, skaters, surfers, film-makers and celebrities will converge on Amelia Island to celebrate the culture around skate and surfing films and the sports themselves.
Mikaela Nichols runs in a track meet at Yulee High School in March. Nichols is one of 10 recipients of the 2026 AAU National Scholarship. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Mikaela Nichols runs in a track meet at Yulee High School in March. Nichols is one of 10 recipients of the 2026 AAU National Scholarship. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Lady Pirate runner receives nationwide $10,000 scholarship

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
A Fernandina Beach High School studentathlete is one of 10 U.S. athletes to receive a 2026 AAU National Scholarship. Local track and cross country standout Mikaela Nichols received one of the $10,000 scholarships awarded to five female and five male athletes by The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
A foursome competes during Par for a Purpose. Submitted

A foursome competes during Par for a Purpose. Submitted

Micah’s Place hosts second annual ‘Par for a Purpose’

Nick Blank
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Thirty-six golfers made their way to the Omni last month to participate in a charity golf tournament to raise money for a local domestic violence nonprofit. On May 22, Micah’s Place hosted its second annual “Par for a Purpose” held at the Golf Club of Amelia Island.
Cody Ogburn, No. 58, and Jaison Brown, No. 8 celebrate in a game during the 2025 season. Both Ogburn and Brown will be seniors this Fall. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Cody Ogburn, No. 58, and Jaison Brown, No. 8 celebrate in a game during the 2025 season. Both Ogburn and Brown will be seniors this Fall. Photo by Ashley Chandler/News-Leader

Hornets emerge in Spring

Nick Blank
Friday, May 29, 2026
The Yulee Hornets triumphed in their spring football contest on the road over Tocoi Creek last week, providing coaches a chance to see what they’ll be working with in less than three months time.
The Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) officially announced and honored its 2026 college scholarship recipients which included two Nassau County golfers: Brady Steffen of Fernandina Beach High School, left, and Harrison Grunewald of Yulee High School. Submitted photo

The Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) officially announced and honored its 2026 college scholarship recipients which included two Nassau County golfers: Brady Steffen of Fernandina Beach High School, left, and Harrison Grunewald of Yulee High School. Submitted photo

Fore the future

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
The Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) officially announced and honored its 2026 college scholarship recipients as awardees at its annual scholarship awards dinner Tuesday evening, May 19, at Deerwood Country Club.
The Hammerhead Lacrosse U14 girls team at their final game of the 2026 Spring season. Submitted

The Hammerhead Lacrosse U14 girls team at their final game of the 2026 Spring season. Submitted

‘Girls lacrosse is thriving’

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Lacrosse is fairly new to Nassau County. Youth boys teams were formed less than two decades ago with the formation of Hammerhead Lacrosse.
Fernandina Beach High School’s quarterback Talan Van Delinder waits for the snap in Wednesday’s off-season matchup against Menendez. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEGAN LOUISE PHOTOS

Fernandina Beach High School’s quarterback Talan Van Delinder waits for the snap in Wednesday’s off-season matchup against Menendez. PHOTOS COURTESY OF MEGAN LOUISE PHOTOS

Springboard: Pirates football put the reps in at Menendez

Nick Blank
Friday, May 22, 2026
High school spring games function as a tuneup, a chance to give players game-time reps and for coaches to impart some wisdom to players before summer. Despite a 31-24 loss at Menendez on Wednesday, Fernandina Beach High football coaches left St.
Clay Hicks, left, came in third in Traditional for the 154-pound weight class. Submitted photo

Clay Hicks, left, came in third in Traditional for the 154-pound weight class. Submitted photo

Marquez, Hicks podium at State Championships

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Gabe Marquez and Clay Hicks earned a spot on the podiums at the recent High School Weightlifting Championships. Both Pirates placed third in Traditional in their respective weight classes.Marquez came in third place in Traditional for the 219-pound weight class with a 575-pound total.
Journey Flannery shows off her hardware after winning two of her three divisions at at the Father Devine National Team Qualifier & Championship and making Team Florida. Submitted photo

Journey Flannery shows off her hardware after winning two of her three divisions at at the Father Devine National Team Qualifier & Championship and making Team Florida. Submitted photo

Yulee wrestler makes Team Florida

Ashley Chandler
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Journey Flannery is making a name for herself in girls wrestling.At a recent qualifying tournament, Flannery made Team Florida, in her second year competing in the sport.
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

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.