SOAP BOX RALLY
The City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department and Central Florida Soap Box Derby will be hosting its annual Marine Corps Reserve TOYS-FOR-TOTS Rally today (Saturday) at Mike Kirby Park.
Check in for the Marine Toys for Tots Program race will be at 7 a.m., with racing beginning at 8 a.m., consisting of a Double Elimination race for each class in the morning, followed by a lunch break and a Single Elimination race for each class in the afternoon.
There is also a good possibility that there will celebrity races featuring either Marine representatives, City of Sanford elected officials or a parent runoff.
Soap Box Derby racing is open to children ages 7 to 20 _ Stock, 7-to-13; Super Stock, 9-to-18; Masters, 10-to-20 _ with a limited number of loaner cars available for new participants.
Everyone, especially interested non-racers, is invited to attend any of the family friendly events, free of charge, at beautiful Mike Kirby Park located on the west side of Sanford on Oregon Avenue, north off of CR-46A (25th Street/H. E. Thomas Parkway) or east off of Rinehart Road, just south of the GreeneWay entry. The track is East of Bentley Elementary School.
For more information on Central Florida Soap Box Derby or to download a registration form, please check out the websites at www.soapboxderby.org or www.centralflorida.soapboxderby.org; [email protected], 407-353-6228, or call the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department at 407-688-5120. Information is also available at _ https://www.facebook.com/CentralFloridaSoapboxDerby/ _ especially photos and flyers.
SANFORD RECREATION SPORTS
The City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Fall Leagues will be in action with The Jeff Triplett Community Center @ Tim Raines Sports Complex hosting flag football and soccer on today (Saturday).
Saturday:
* The Youth Flag Football Fall League _ 5-to-8 year olds: Orlando City Foundation Vikings vs. The Barstool Store Bengals, 9 a.m.; Ladies 327 Eagles vs. Hollerbach’s Panthers, 9 a.m.; Waggin' & Braggin' Ravens vs. Sanford Herald Jaguars, 10 a.m.; 9-to-11 year olds: Police Athletic League Commanders vs. Tony Russi Ins. Bucs, 10 a.m.; Alaskan Ice Eagles vs. CPH Dolphins, 11 a.m.; Steak n' Shake Raiders vs. Texas Roadhouse Jaguars, 11 a.m. 12-14 year olds _ The Learning Movement Bears vs. Waggin’ & Braggin' Dolphins, noon; Card My Yard Bucs vs. Thermotane Propane Chiefs, noon.
* The Youth Soccer League _ 4-to-6 year olds: Shark Ice Giants vs. Wolves, 9 a.m.; The Green Dragons vs. Warriors, 9 a.m.; Young Strikers vs. Cheetah’s, 10 a.m.; Lions vs. Red Tigers, 10 a.m.; Blue Raspberries vs. The Thunderbolts, 11 a.m.; 7-to-8 year olds: Warriors vs. Flamingo’s, 11 a.m.; Stingrays vs. The Soccer Stars, noon; Lightning vs. Black Panthers, noon; Slick Sliders vs. Lions, 1 p.m.; 9-to-10 year olds: Jaguars vs. Knights, 1 p.m.; Tigers vs. Night Wolves, 2 p.m.; Tropical Thunder vs. Lightning Bolts 2 p.m.
STETSON FOOTBALL
The Stetson football team (2-5, 0-3) is in Indianapolis for a matchup against the Butler Bulldogs today (Saturday) at 1 p.m.
UCF VOLLEYBALL
The UCF volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-18, 25-23 and 25-20) to Cincinnati Wednesday night at The Venue.
The Knights (8-10, 1-8 Big 12) recorded 40 kills and 38 digs, while Cincinnati (12-8, 3-6) notched 39 kills and 43 digs.
Avah Armour had an impressive match in her return from injury, leading UCF with 13 kills. Heidi Bonde added eight kills and Abby Schomers directed the offense with 22 assists. Chloe Scheer tallied 14 digs, marking her 17th double-digit dig match of the season, while freshman Cam Shelton recorded her first two aces of her collegiate career.
Up Next:
UCF is in Lubbock, Texas, to face Texas Tech today (Saturday) at 2 p.m. at United Supermarkets Arena.
UCF FOOTBALL
UCF remains at home this week for its annual Space Game when Arizona heads to Orlando. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on FS1 from FBC Mortgage Stadium.
The contest will also be carried on the radio on AM740/FM 96.9 The Game (Play-by-Play _ Marc Daniels; Analyst _ Gary Parris; Reporter _ Scott Adams), with the pregame show starting at 1:30 p.m., and Spanish Radio: UCFKnights.com, YouTube.com/UCFKnights.
Live Stats will be available at _ UCFKnights.com _ and if you would like to comment, use Twitter _ @UCF_Football _ under the Hashtag _ #ChargeOn.
ORLANDO PRIDE
The Orlando Pride (17-2-6, 57 points) will be hosting the last match of the regular season at Inter&Co Stadium against the Seattle Reign this afternoon (Saturday). Kick off for that match is set for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally on ION.
For more information on Orlando Pride, visit Orlando-Pride.com or follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
RUMBLE AT THE RITZ
Boxing fans rejoice _ Pugilism is coming to Sanford.
Not since 1950 has there been a professional boxing card in Sanford, but that will all change tonight (Saturday) when Mike Sawyer Productions brings the “Rumble at the Ritz” to historic The Ritz Theatre at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in downtown Sanford starting at 7:30 p.m.
Nine bouts, which are subject to change, are currently on the card with The Main Event featuring Jay Cortes against Jeremiah Potts.
The undercard will consist of Julio Rosa against William Davis, Giovanni Louis against Mason Wickett, Phillip Penson against Saul Almeida, Marcello “Curica” Williams against Craig Williams, Christian Rivera against Rufino Lewis, Tiffany Taylor against Brittany Dukes and Daine Smikle and Teon “Troubleman” McGee against opponents to be announced.
Doors will open at the venue _ located at 201 South Magnolia Avenue _ at 6:30 p.m. and the first fight is set for 7:30 p.m.
Go to _ https://ci.ovationtix.com/35699/production/1208523?performanceId=11503910 _ to purchase tickets in advance.
ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD
Coming up at Orlando Speed World Dragway:
* FUNDAY Sunday (November 3) _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 10 a.m. and racing from 10:30 a.m.-to-5 p.m. $20 General Admission (kids 10-and-Under free) or $35 to race.
* Wednesday-thru-Sunday _ “World Street Nationals XXXI” _ Wednesday: Testing, 3 p.m.-to-10 p.m.; Thursday: Gates open at 9 a.m.; Testing, 11 a.m.-to-4 p.m.; Round 1 Qualifying, 6 p.m.; Friday: Gates open at 8 a.m.; Round 2 Qualifying, 11 a.m.; Round 3 Qualifying, 5 p.m.; Saturday: Gates open at 8 a.m.; Round 4 Qualifying, 11 a.m.; Round 5 Qualifying, 5 p.m.; Sunday: Gates open at 8 a.m. Tickets: 4-Day entry, $90; 3-Day entry, $90; 2-Day entry, $55; 1-Day entry, $30. Kids 10-and-Under are free.
The Dragway Information Hotline is at (407) 568-5522 and the website is at _ www.raceosw.com/dragway/.
SpeedWorld is located 17 miles east of Orlando in Bithlo at 19164 East Colonial Drive, between Orlando and Titusville on Highway 50 at the 520 Cocoa Cutoff.
STETSON VOLLEYBALL
The Stetson volleyball team (4-18, 1-10) is on the road for matches against Queens University at Curry Arena in Charlotte on Friday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton at The Coliseum.
SANFORD ADULT SOFTBALL
Here is this week’s schedule in the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Adult Softball Fall Season.
The Men’s League on Tuesday has All Wheel Wizards tackling The West End Trading Company at 6:30 p.m.; Venezolanos en Sanford playing The Handicaps at 7:30 p.m.; and the Bokey Batters battling the Titans at 8:30 p.m.
The Semi-Co-Ed/Fun League on Wednesday has Fusion challenging The West End Trading Company at 6:30 p.m.; Fed Up taking on Throwbacks at 7:30 p.m.; Badgers and Wet Spot facing Fed Up at 8:30 p.m. Pat’s Liquor has the week off.
Everyone is invited to watch the games for free at Pinehurst Park on West 24th Street.
For more information contact Dominic Pascuzzo, City of Sanford Recreation Supervisor, at the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department at 407-688-5120, extension 5004; Fax _ 407-688-5121; facebook.com/SanfordFLCityGovt; instagram.com/cityofsanfordfl; visit the city website _ www.sanfordfl.gov _ or email: [email protected]..
UCF MEN’S BASKETBALL
Former UCF men’s basketball center Ibrahima Diallo was selected in the first round by the Austin Spurs in the 2024 NBA G League Draft.
Diallo played his fifth and final year of college basketball with the Knights last season and was drafted 13th overall, making him the highest selected UCF player in the NBA G League Draft.
The Saly, Senegal native earned a Big 12 Honorable Mention nod at the conclusion of the 2023-24 regular season along with current Knights Darius Johnson and Jaylin Sellers. Diallo led the Big 12 Conference in blocks per contest after leading the league for most of the season, finishing with a clip of 1.78 blocks per game. His 57 blocks were just two shy of tying a career high. He tallied a pair of double-doubles while with the Black and Gold, including a career-best 17 points while pulling in 11 rebounds against Oklahoma State in the first round of the Big 12 Conference Championship. Diallo came to the Knights after spending his first two seasons at Ohio State, followed with two breakout campaigns at San Jose State. He played in 32 of UCF’s 33 contests, earning a starting spot 19 times.
Diallo becomes the fifth player selected in the NBA G League Draft. The most recent Knight drafted before the seven-foot center was B.J. Taylor, going to Cleveland with the 16th overall pick in 2021. Dexter Lyons was the first to go in the NBA G League Draft, then known as the D League, being selected by Idaho in the third round with the 24th pick in 2006. Dave Noel followed in 2008, going to Reno with the 56th selection. Tristan Spurlock was drafted by Canton in 2014 in the 29th overall slot before making way for Taylor and Diallo.
Upon suiting up for Austin, Diallo will be the 11th Knight to play for either an NBA or NBA G League franchise. Five former members of the Black and Gold have suited up in the NBA, with the most recent being Taylor Hendricks, who became UCF’s first lottery and first round selection by going to the Utah Jazz at No. 9 in the 2023 NBA Draft. Tacko Fall, Jermaine Taylor, Mark Jones and Matt Williams round out the group of Knights who have played at the highest level.
UCF WOMEN’S SOCCER
The UCF women’s soccer team (3-6-6, 1-5-4) managed to overcome two-goal deficit with a pair of second-half goals en route to recording a 2-2 draw against Cincinnati in the regular-season finale last Friday (October 25) at the UCF Soccer Complex.
Senior Chloe Netzel netted her 11th goal of the season in the 62nd minute to cut the deficit in half and redshirt sophomore Brooke Mulroney tied things up with the equalizer in the 68th minute. Despite the result, UCF’s season ends as it failed to qualify for next week’s Sprouts Farmers Market Big 12 Championship.
With both teams needing a win to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship, the Bearcats (6-8-4, 2-6-3 Big 12) struck first with a pair of quick goals to take an early 2-0 advantage. Ellie Flower got UC on the board in the fourth minute with a goal in the upper right corner. Her teammate Lauren Bastian later added Cincinnati’s second goal in the 11th minute with a shot from distance to make it 2-0.
Trailing by the two goals in the second half and with the season on the line, the Knights came out determined to get back into the game. After a trio of quick shots on goal from Netzel, the senior captain managed to break through in the 62nd minute. Maria Tregansin fed Taylor Jacobson, who passed it to Netzel at the top of the box. Netzel fired a strike from the top of the box into the upper right corner to make it 2-1. The goal marked her team-leading 11th on the season and the 30th of her distinguished career. The 11 goals marked the most by any Knight in a single season since 2018 when Stefanie Sanders managed to net 13.
With UCF continuing to push the tempo, Netzel crossed a ball from the left side and Mulroney was there to tap home a failed clearance from the UC defense. The goal marked Mulroney’s first of the season as well as the first of her collegiate career.
Both teams looked determined to pull ahead down the stretch by tallying five combined shots, but the game would go on to end in the tie. UCF keeper Genesis Perez Watson put up six saves in the contest, which included a stellar stop as time expired.
Friday night marked both the Space Game as well as Alumni Knight for UCF. The Knights donned the Citronaut blue for the first time on the season as well as had over 40 alums in attendance.
It also marked the final match for UCF’s talented senior class that included captains Netzel and Annika Huhta, as well as Taylor Jacobson, Kyleigh Thelen, Caitlyn Matthew, Lizah Pistorio, and Jade Steele.
