Sports

Willie Gardner, a three-time all-state quarterback at Suwannee in the 1990s, is being inducted into the Suwannee Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. The rest of the 2024 induction class include Tom Daniels (below from left), Tyler Chambliss and Shane Wheeler-Mitchell. (COURTESY SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT)

Willie Gardner, a three-time all-state quarterback at Suwannee in the 1990s, is being inducted into the Suwannee Athletics Hall of Fame this fall. The rest of the 2024 induction class include Tom Daniels (below from left), Tyler Chambliss and Shane Wheeler-Mitchell. (COURTESY SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT)

PREP SPORTS: Chambliss, Daniels, Gardner, Wheeler-Mitchell to be inducted into SHS Hall of Fame

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 19, 2024
LIVE OAK — Half of this year’s Suwannee Athletics Hall of Fame induction class made their impact on the field. The other two inductees, though, have had a more lasting impact behind the scenes to help the Bulldogs.
The Columbia Swim Team qualified six swimmers for next week’s AAU Junior Olympics in North Carolina. CST swimmers attending the national meet are Savannah Summerall (front from left), Mackenzie Shoemaker, Emma Fielding; back row, Brie Fair, Baron Herget and Casey Fair. (COURTESY)

The Columbia Swim Team qualified six swimmers for next week’s AAU Junior Olympics in North Carolina. CST swimmers attending the national meet are Savannah Summerall (front from left), Mackenzie Shoemaker, Emma Fielding; back row, Brie Fair, Baron Herget and Casey Fair. (COURTESY)

YOUTH SWIMMING: Columbia Swim Team qualifies six for AAU Junior Olympics

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Six local swimmers will compete for national titles next week. The Columbia Swim Team qualified six members for the AAU Junior Olympics in North Carolina, which begin July 24.
Florida’s Tyler Shelnut, a former Fort White High star, gestures after a hit this spring with the Gators. Shelnut is awaiting a phone call this weekend of early next week letting him know he’s been taken in the MLB draft. (MADDIE WASHBURN/UF Athletics)

Florida’s Tyler Shelnut, a former Fort White High star, gestures after a hit this spring with the Gators. Shelnut is awaiting a phone call this weekend of early next week letting him know he’s been taken in the MLB draft. (MADDIE WASHBURN/UF Athletics)

MLB DRAFT: Former Fort White star Tyler Shelnut ready for draft

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Tyler Shelnut is coming home. At least briefly. The former Fort White High School and University of Florida slugger will be surrounded by family in Lake City this weekend and, potentially, early into next week as the 2024 Major League Baseball draft gets underway Sunday.
Suwannee High School’s track is being replaced after the old asphalt surface was ‘completely destroyed’ by heavy equipment during the Hurricane Idalia response. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee High School’s track is being replaced after the old asphalt surface was ‘completely destroyed’ by heavy equipment during the Hurricane Idalia response. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP TRACK AND FIELD: Suwannee replacing ‘completely damaged’ track

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, July 13, 2024
LIVE OAK — Heavy equipment has replaced students at Suwannee High School — and other Suwannee County schools — this summer.
Columbia High’s Ayden Phillips celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against The Villages Charter this past spring. (FILE)

Columbia High’s Ayden Phillips celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run against The Villages Charter this past spring. (FILE)

PREP SPORTS: FHSAA releases new spring districts

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
The Florida High School Athletic Association released its preliminary classifications for spring sports during the next two school years Tuesday. The classifications are subject to appeal through Aug. 12.
Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) spikes the football after following his team’s touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 11, 2022, in Arlington, Tex. (TOM FOX/TNS)

Houston Texans offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (78) spikes the football after following his team’s touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 11, 2022, in Arlington, Tex. (TOM FOX/TNS)

COMMENTARY: Doubt Laremy Tunsil at your own risk

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Is Laremy Tunsil still a top-10 offensive tackle in the NFL? Many would guess yes. He would certainly say so. But one writer at CBS Sports said otherwise this week, and the Houston Texans left tackle took offense to it.
Suwannee’s boys weight lifting team swept the Class 1A traditional and Olympic team titles this season. (FILE)

Suwannee’s boys weight lifting team swept the Class 1A traditional and Olympic team titles this season. (FILE)

COMMENTARY: The 10 most defining moments of the 2023-24 school year

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, June 28, 2024
The chase for championships were in full swing this season across Columbia, Suwannee and Lafayette counties. Over in Live Oak, two teams repeated. For two in Branford and one in Mayo, they came oh so close. And we can’t forget the individuals who also won regional titles to qualify for state.