Keyboard Conversations®
Regional Champ
After winning his region, Braden River sophomore Ryan Walker hopes his training will payoff with a state title.
Monday, nov. 18, 2013: POPULAR PIANO CLASSICS Beloved gems of the piano repertoire by some of the world’s best loved composers - music of Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, tchaikovsky, Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, and others. Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014: BaCh anD the RoMantICS the exhilarating Chromatic Fantasy of Bach followed by works of later composers inspired by him - Mendelssohn, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and Mozart. Tuesday, aPr. 1, 2014: MIStReSSeS anD MaSteRpIeCeS Works of passion, love, and longing inspired by “significant others” in the lives of Brahms, Schumann, Chopin, and Liszt.
all PerForManCes begin aT 8:00 PM.
$36 Single Ticket • $90 Concert Series Pass $118 VIp Series pass (includes reserved seating and reception)
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EXPLORE SAINT STEPHEN'S
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Discovery Days November 11 & 25
RSVP TODAY! Pre-K3 through 12th grade www.saintstephens.org 941-746-2121 x1568
A World-class Education
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BRADEN RIVER — Ryan Walker is treading in uncharted waters. After becoming Braden River High’s first multiple event district champion two weeks ago, the sophomore swimmer traveled Nov. 9 for the first time to the Class 3A-Region 3 meet, where he was the top seed in the 50yard freestyle. Walker lived up to expectations in his regional debut, winning the event in 22.13 seconds. In addition to winning the regional title, the 15-year-old also bettered his previous best time of 22.20 seconds. As the regional champion, Walker advances to the Class 3A Swimming and Diving Championships Nov. 15, in Stuart. “It feels good,” Walker says. “Last year when I started swimming, I didn’t make it to regionals. So, it’s good to see that my hard work is paying off.” Walker began swimming last season for something fun to do in addition to playing football. Walker swam for Manatee High last fall before transferring to Braden River this year. After last season, Walker decided to concentrate solely on swimming in the hopes of receiving a college scholarship. Walker joined the Lakewood Ranch Wave Runners swim team following his freshman season. Walker averaged between 8,000 and 9,000 yards in the pool this season between Braden River and Wave Runners practices — something to which he credits his improvement. “This year, I really stepped up my training and worked a lot harder,” Walker says.
Jen Blanco
In his first season swimming with Braden River, sophomore Ryan Walker has won two district titles and a regional title.
Walker also has learned about competing at a high level from Braden River coach Tripp Schwenk, who won a gold medal in the 4x100 relay and a silver medal in the 200 backstroke at the 1996 Summer Olympics. “He’s basically done it all,” Walker says. “It’s nice to be around someone who has achieved basically everything in the sport. He’s taught me new stuff that I didn’t know before and gets on me for the little technical things.” Walker made school history, winning both the 50 and 100 freestyle at the Class 3A-District 8 meet Nov. 2. Now, Walker hopes to add a state championship to his list of accolades while dropping his time into the 21-second range. “It’s awesome to see in a year’s time that my training has paid off,” Walker says. Contact Jen Blanco at jblanco@yourobserver.com.
Coupon good through 11/30/13
GREAT GIFT FOR A SMOKER
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OVER 40 E-LIQUID FLAVORS TO CHOOSE! Featuring the Latest in Electronic Cigarette Technology COOL NEW COLORS! Bradenton East SR 70 & I-75 7309 52nd Pl. E. 941-758-4100
Sarasota 1 Block East of US 41 2325 Bee Ridge Rd. 941-922-7000
Bradenton West Cortez Rd. & US 41 4407 14th St. West 941-758-8400
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With Jeffrey Siegel
Klingenstein Jewish Center 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, FL 34232
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2013
swimming by Jen Blanco | Sports Editor
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