Pensacola Area Teams Shine in Lacrosse, Weightlifting Districts

UWF hires new men's basketball coach as high school spring sports playoffs heat up

Apr. 9, 2026 at 5:20am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action of a high school lacrosse game, with players and the ball fragmented into overlapping planes of vivid colors.Pensacola's high school lacrosse teams showcased their skills in a dynamic district tournament, foreshadowing an exciting playoff run.Pensacola Today

The Pensacola area saw strong performances from local high school lacrosse and weightlifting teams in their respective district tournaments on April 8. Meanwhile, the University of West Florida (UWF) introduced Tanner Smith as its new men's basketball head coach.

Why it matters

The district tournaments mark an important milestone in the spring high school sports calendar, as teams vie for playoff berths and championships. UWF's new basketball hire also signals a fresh start for the program as it looks to build momentum heading into the next season.

The details

In lacrosse, the Pensacola Catholic boys and girls teams both emerged victorious in their district tournaments. On the weightlifting side, several Escambia and Santa Rosa County athletes put up impressive results and qualified for the next round of competition.

  • The district lacrosse and weightlifting tournaments took place on April 8, 2026.
  • Tanner Smith was introduced as UWF's new men's basketball coach on April 8, 2026.

The players

Pensacola Catholic

A high school in Pensacola, Florida that fielded winning boys and girls lacrosse teams in the district tournament.

Tanner Smith

The newly hired men's basketball coach at the University of West Florida.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to welcome Tanner to the UWF family and look forward to the energy and vision he'll bring to our men's basketball program.”

— Brent Stein, UWF Athletic Director

What’s next

The winning lacrosse teams from the district tournament will advance to regional playoff competition, while the top weightlifters will move on to the next round of the state championship series.

The takeaway

Pensacola's high school sports scene continues to thrive, with local teams excelling in spring sports like lacrosse and weightlifting. UWF's new basketball hire also signals a renewed commitment to building a competitive men's program.