Sports

Found more gold: St. Cloud weightlifter Mikey Ziss (left) and Coach Cory Aun celebrate two more state championships, as Ziss won the traditional and Olympic discipline titles for the third straight year at the Class 3A state meet. (Photo/St. Cloud High School)

Found more gold: St. Cloud weightlifter Mikey Ziss (left) and Coach Cory Aun celebrate two more state championships, as Ziss won the traditional and Olympic discipline titles for the third straight year at the Class 3A state meet. (Photo/St. Cloud High School)

ALL-COUNTY BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Ziss' six-pack of gold

He was a Orange Belt Conference champion, he won districts and regionals and captured a pair of state championships, so it comes as no shock St. Cloud senior Mikey Ziss is the Osceola News-Gazette Weightlifter of the Year for the 2024-25 season.
Tohopekaiga and Osceola High Schools were among those holding signing ceremonies this spring for athletes continuing athletics at the college level. (Photos/Tohopekaliga High School, Osceola High School)

Tohopekaiga and Osceola High Schools were among those holding signing ceremonies this spring for athletes continuing athletics at the college level. (Photos/Tohopekaliga High School, Osceola High School)

It ain’t over — 87 bound for college athletics

School ended Friday.So that means sleeping in, heading to the beach or a local spot and just relaxing, right?Not exactly, especially for the 87 graduating seniors who will play sports at the college level come the fall.
New St. Cloud quarterback Jeremiah Lattier shows flashes of the future, as he tossed four touchdown passes in Friday’s spring jamboree against Viera and Leesburg. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

New St. Cloud quarterback Jeremiah Lattier shows flashes of the future, as he tossed four touchdown passes in Friday’s spring jamboree against Viera and Leesburg. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Coaches: mission accomplished during spring football

With spring football—and the 2024-25 athletic season— wrapped up, head coaches said that for the most part they accomplished everything they wanted to in the allotted 14 practices.
Pedro Gallese saves a shot on goal as Orlando City defeated Portland, 1-0, on Saturday, with help from a defense that included David Brekalo (4). (Photo Mario Casamalhuapa)

Pedro Gallese saves a shot on goal as Orlando City defeated Portland, 1-0, on Saturday, with help from a defense that included David Brekalo (4). (Photo Mario Casamalhuapa)

Orlando City extends historic unbeaten streak with 1-0 win over Portland

Orlando City SC achieved a milestone moment at Inter&Co Stadium Saturday, defeating the Portland Timbers 1-0, tying the club record with 12 consecutive games unbeaten in MLS play. It's the longest active streak in Major League Soccer this season.
Luis Muriel request the ball and he is upset of missing a an opportunity to score. Photos by Mario Casamalhuapa

Luis Muriel request the ball and he is upset of missing a an opportunity to score. Photos by Mario Casamalhuapa

Cup Dreams Dashed: Nashville Stuns Orlando City in Round of 16 thriller

The euphoria from Sunday's dominant victory over Inter Miami felt like a distant memory Wednesday night as Orlando City SC saw their U.S. Open Cup dreams crumble in heartbreaking fashion, falling 3-2 to Nashville SC in the Round of 16 at Inter&Co Stadium.
Tohopekaliga and Poinciana went at it last week at their un-scored, controlled-scrimmage spring game on the Tigers' new football field. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Tohopekaliga and Poinciana went at it last week at their un-scored, controlled-scrimmage spring game on the Tigers' new football field. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Spring football—a mix of old and new QBs

Eights were wild on Wednesday night as Tohopekaliga quarterback Sabby Meassick (#8) and Poionciana quarterback Kamari Lewis (#8) put on offensive shows in a controlled scrimmage that served as spring football game for both teams at Tiger Stadium.
St. Cloud High School swept the Orange Belt Conference academic, athletic and community service awards at the School District’s annual banquet. From left, this pack of Bulldogs is Coach Cory Aun, Athletic Trainer of the Year Craig Carnell, Coach Shane Muller, SCHS Coach of the Year Kevin Harkema and Athletic Director Bryan Smart. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

St. Cloud High School swept the Orange Belt Conference academic, athletic and community service awards at the School District’s annual banquet. From left, this pack of Bulldogs is Coach Cory Aun, Athletic Trainer of the Year Craig Carnell, Coach Shane Muller, SCHS Coach of the Year Kevin Harkema and Athletic Director Bryan Smart. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

Bulldogs win all the big OBC trophies; OHS' Pinellas named Dean Cherry Coach of the Year

For more photos from the OBC banquet, go to O(ur) B(est) C(hampions): A Photo GalleryOn a night that annually salutes the best and brightest in Osceola County high school sports, St. Cloud reclaimed the coveted Orange Belt Conference All-Sports Award Thursday night at the annual OBC Awards Dinner.
All of the big Orange Belt Conference trophy ended up on the same table Thursday -- St. Cloud High's table. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

All of the big Orange Belt Conference trophy ended up on the same table Thursday -- St. Cloud High's table. (Photo/Taylor McFee)

O(ur) B(est) C(hampions): A photo gallery

The top athletes, coaches and sports programs were honored at last week’s Orange Belt Conference annual athletics banquet at Osceola Heritage Park. The Coaches of the Year at the county’s eight public high schools were recognized, along with the county’s top student athletes.