St. Johns Spotlight: Bears, Sharks highlight lacrosse field
Lacrosse's showcase weekend is returning next month.
The annual Rivalry on the River tournament, including reigning state girls champion Bartram Trail and perennial boys contender Ponte Vedra, comes back for its fourth edition with both local and out-of-area schools from March 22-23 at Bolles.
Beachside, Creekside, Menendez and Nease are also scheduled to take the field at Skinner-Barco Stadium.
"The girls really, really look forward to this every year," Bartram Trail girls coach Megan O'Grady said. "It's a great weekend where we really get to come out for the community."
Games March 22 will be Beachside at Bolles (girls), Creekside vs. Menendez (girls), Bartram Trail vs. Lake Norman (boys), Lake Mary vs. Lucy Beckham (boys) and Ponte Vedra vs. Lake Highland Prep (boys). On the March 23 schedule are Ponte Vedra vs. Bartram Trail (girls), Nease vs. Tallahassee Maclay (boys), Lake Mary vs. Lake Norman (boys), Atlantic Coast vs. Sandalwood (girls), Episcopal vs. Gainesville Oak Hall (boys) and Lucy Beckham at Bolles (boys).
The 2023 champion Bears girls started in top form with a 19-3 rout of Oviedo, including five goals apiece from Ryann Frechette and Emily Barnette and a four-goal, three-assist night from newcomer Esa Brenneman.
The tournament also means an opportunity in the spotlight for a still-building program like Beachside. The Barracudas' girls team opens against Bolles, one year after their scheduled game against the Bulldogs was wiped out by rain.
"It's kind of a full-circle moment, getting to join this group of people, and we're really thankful to be there," Beachside coach Grayson Corbett said. "So we're looking forward to it."
Around St. Johns
Bartram Trail recognized the softball signings of infielder Ciara Belanger (Rollins), Olivia Conley (Keiser) and Kiera Strub (Barry). … Santiago Carrion (113) and Cole Anderson (285) won individual championships to help Creekside claim top honors in District 1-3A boys wrestling. ... Ponte Vedra's Natalia Choquegonza (115 pounds) and Bartram Trail's Katherine Stewart (145) won Region 1 girls wrestling titles ahead of next week's state championships. ... FHSAA regular-season competition opens Thursday for track and field and Monday for beach volleyball.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Johns Spotlight: Bartram Trail, Ponte Vedra in lacrosse event
