Sports

Columbia’s softball team celebrates with their cheering fans after defeating Lake Wales to win the Class 4A state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s softball team celebrates with their cheering fans after defeating Lake Wales to win the Class 4A state title on May 23. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Columbia’s state title run united Lake City

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 29, 2026
The support for Columbia’s softball team was immense at last Saturday’s Class 4A state championship.Fans lined the fences. Some spilled into Lake Wales’ side of the bleachers. The football team even had its own section, arriving on time despite its bus blowing a tire after leaving CHS at 6:30 a.m.
Columbia seniors Addyson Sherman (from left), Luisa Taylor, Raelyn Wehinger, Ava Christie, Lauryn Lee, Amani Tunsil, Anna Dansby and Emily Delgado wrapped up their careers with a state championship on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia seniors Addyson Sherman (from left), Luisa Taylor, Raelyn Wehinger, Ava Christie, Lauryn Lee, Amani Tunsil, Anna Dansby and Emily Delgado wrapped up their careers with a state championship on Saturday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: Columbia's state title was built on an unbreakable bond

JORDAN KROEGER
Sunday, May 24, 2026
It’s what they’ve always wanted.It was also bittersweet.The seniors at Columbia finally achieved the goal they set out to accomplish when they were freshman — winning a state championship.
Columbia catcher Emily Delgado encourages the CHS student section to get up for her team after scoring a run following her RBI double in the seventh inning of Thursday's Class 4A state semifinal against Seminole. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia catcher Emily Delgado encourages the CHS student section to get up for her team after scoring a run following her RBI double in the seventh inning of Thursday's Class 4A state semifinal against Seminole. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

COMMENTARY: These Tigers never stop fighting

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 22, 2026
The words echoed throughout the season.“Tigers don’t lay down. Tigers fight.”Never was that truer than Thursday afternoon.Columbia, the top-ranked team in Class 4A, was on the ropes in the state semifinals.
Columbia right fielder Marlee Hunt (14) hugs left fielder Addyson Sherman after Sherman hit a walk-off RBI single to defeat Seminole 6-5 in the Class 4A state semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Marlee Hunt (14) hugs left fielder Addyson Sherman after Sherman hit a walk-off RBI single to defeat Seminole 6-5 in the Class 4A state semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia rallies past Seminole on Sherman's walk-off to advance to Class 4A title game

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 21, 2026
LONGWOOD — Columbia left fielder Addyson Sherman had been there before. Runners on base, her team needing a hit. Only this time, the pressure was ratcheted up to the nth degree. On the line was a berth in the state championship.
Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham drops back to pass against Madison County during the teams' spring game on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette quarterback Tucker Higginbotham drops back to pass against Madison County during the teams' spring game on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Growing pains for Lafayette during spring shutout to Madison County

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
MAYO — The good news for the Lafayette Hornets on Tuesday? They likely played one of the toughest teams on their schedule.The bad news is that they still have a ways to go in order to catch up to that competition.
Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord (2) celebrates after recording an out against Baker County during the Region 1-4A championship on May 14. The Tigers won 6-2 to advance to the Class 4A Final Four. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia shortstop Alannah Lord (2) celebrates after recording an out against Baker County during the Region 1-4A championship on May 14. The Tigers won 6-2 to advance to the Class 4A Final Four. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia leaning on chemistry, confidence in Final Four

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Columbia coach Joe Saucier still has the text.Before the Tigers ever played a game this season, he sent a message to the booster club that’s been proven true time and time again this spring.“‘Guys, we haven something special here,’” Saucier recalls.