- June 1, 2026
Charlie Franklin, Lela Howard, Ashlynn Clements and Kaydence Balmer, members of the Palm Coast Patriots travel softball team, have all been selected to represent the Southeast Region in the 14U division at the USSSA Fastpitch All American Games, July 27-Aug. 1 at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera.
The girls participated in tryouts on March 27 in Altamonte Springs and were selected to compete against some of the top youth softball players in the country. All four girls are 12 years old and are rising eighth graders in Flagler County.
As they prepare for the tournament they are raising funds to pay for entry fees, lodging, meals and other costs.
Charlie, Lela and Ashlynn have played softball together since tPalm Coast Little League’s machine pitch division. They’ve played together with the Patriots since 2022. Kaydence joined the team last year.
In an e-mail, Charlie Franklin, a catcher, said getting selected to the All-American Games is a dream come true.
“I am incredibly honored and excited for the opportunity,” she said. “Softball has been a huge part of my life and has taught me leadership, confidence, teamwork, and the importance of hard work both on and off the field. Along with softball, I work hard in school and am proud to be a straight-A student and a member of the National Junior Honor Society.”
Those wishing to contribute can send donations through Venmo: @Road2AllAmerican, or CashApp: $Road2AllAmerican.
Flagler Palm Coast wrestler Juliana Mills defeated three opponents by pin or technical fall to win a freestyle state championship on Saturday, May 30, at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee.
Mills placed first in the 16U Women’s 120-pound weight class at the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association tournament, which qualifies her to represent Team Florida at the largest wrestling tournament in the world — the U.S. Marine Corps Junior and 16U Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota, known as Fargo Nationals.
Mills is a rising junior.
The Palm Coast Big Buoys of the Orange State League was scheduled to play its inaugural game on June 2 at the New Smyrna Beach Gnarlies. Their game on June 1 at NSB was postponed.
The first-year wood bat summer collegiate baseball league has four teams including the Big Buoys, the Gnarlies, the St. Augustine Sardines and the Cocoa Tailgators.
The Big Buoys will play their home games at the Indian Trails Sports Complex. The Palm Coast City Council approved the facility use agreement with Palm Coast Baseball LLC on May 20 to allow the team to play on Field 2 at Indian Trails.
The Big Buoys are scheduled to play 12 road games in 15 days before playing their home opener at 7 p.m. June 17 against the Gnarlies.
The Big Buoys have seven players with local ties on their roster: former Flagler Palm Coast High School players Brenin Striplin (currently in the transfer portal), Connor May (Methodist University) and Logan Shudy (Leslie University); Matanzas grad Nolan Schmidt (who will be a freshman at Minnesota North College-Vermilion); Owen McKinley (New College of Florida), of Flagler Beach who played high school baseball at Father Lopez; and Gabriel Baker (Daytona State College), who played at Atlantic High School.
For more information, go to palmcoastbigbuoys.com.
The Tommy Tant Memorial Surf Classic made the announcement last fall that its proceeds will now benefit the professional development of top local surfers through its new Fellows Program.
The 2025 event raised $20,000 ($5,000 apiece) for four local pros: Robbie Goodwin, Robbie McCormick, Carl Burger and Ryan Huckabee. The fellowship includes year-round mentorship and a peer cohort to advance their careers on the global surf stage.
The Tommy Tant Surf Classic is returning for its 24th year on Oct. 23-25.
The Mariners have won the Ormond Beach Youth Baseball Major (age 11-12) title with a 12-1 record. The team won its second straight title with a win against the Angels in the championship game. Team members include Jace Steen, Jack Elston, Ali Stephens, Tom Wade, Espn Haines, Micah Annon, Marlon Smith, Trenton Kenney, Jensen Warren, Barry Kral and LJ Rockmore. Coaches are Jared Haines, Brandon Steen and Barry Kral.
Daytona State College’s women’s golf team captured its 12th National Junior College Athletic Association Division I national championship on May 14 at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, Illinois, defeating top-ranked Odessa College (Texas) by one stroke in a dramatic final-round finish.
DSC, ranked second entering the four-day tournament, came back from a two-stroke deficit. Alana Kutt led the Falcons with a second-place finish, shooting scores of 76-75-71-72, while teammate Jamie Lowry placed third overall with scores of 73-77-76-70, both earning First Team All-American Honors.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of this team,” DSC coach Laura Brown said. “Oakwood was an extremely challenging course and we had some tough, windy conditions in the second and third rounds, but our players battled the entire time and we managed to pull off the victory.”
Isabella Quintero, 7, of Ormond Beach, is a member of the inline Astro Skate Speed Team of Ormond Beach training under Coaches Julie and Doug Glass. She has been speed skating since she turned 5 and loves competing and practicing with her older brother Noah.
At the final Florida Speed League meet of the season on May 17 at Astro Skate of Palm Beach County, Isabella won the gold medal in the Novice Primary Girls Championship and was named the overall champion in her division for the 2025-2026 season.
In July, Isabella will compete in the USA Roller Sports Speed National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Flagler Palm Coast Lady Bulldog Basketball Camp with coach George Butts will be held June 8-9, 9 a.m. to noon, at FPC’s 100 Gym. Cost is $50 per camper. Contact the FPC athletic office or call coach Lindsey at 386-631-2194.
