Student athletes from three Diocese of Venice Catholic high schools recently competed at the Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships on May 9 and 10, 2025, at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
Ryan Peterson, a senior from Bishop Verot Catholic School in Fort Myers, is the discus class 2a State Champion with a throw of 52.48 meters (172-feet 2-inches). Ryan also placed seventh in the shot put, earning a second medal.
Bishop Verot sent 20 athletes to the State Championships, with the following also medaling: Elise Bolgiano, who took third in the high jump, at 1.57 meters (5-feet 1¾-inches); Zachary Zielke, third in 3200 with a time of 9:22.27, and eighth in the 1600; Jyden German was third in the 100, with a time of 10.90; Jadrien Carmo was third in the 400, with a time of 47.97; Andrew Marino was fifth in the 1600; and James Little IV was eighth in the 110 hurdles. Overall, the Verot boys team combined to finish seventh out of 49 teams.
At the same competition, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota entered seven athletes. The top performer was Zoe Kirby who medaled by finishing seventh in the javelin. She also participated in the shot put and discus.
St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples sent nine athletes to the class 1a State Championship which was contested on May 10. Top performers were: Grace London, who finished third in the javelin with a throw on 36.73 meters (120-feet 6-inches); Mylee Van de Wouw finished eighth in the long jump; and Mason Armstrong finished eighth in the shot put.
Meanwhile, the Bishop Verot boys baseball team is in the State Final Four May 19 against Miami Springs, at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. To earn the right to play in the Final Four, the Vikings earned their second consecutive 3a regional championship on May 8, clinching the deciding game in the best of three series in extra innings.
Congratulations to all of the student athletes at the Diocesan Catholic high schools for having an outstanding year!
