Sports

Columbia players celebrate after a point against Vanguard during the District 2-5A semifinals on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia players celebrate after a point against Vanguard during the District 2-5A semifinals on Tuesday. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Columbia makes playoffs for first time since 2012

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, October 21, 2023
For the first time since 2012, Columbia is headed to the playoffs. The Tigers were awarded the No. 7 seed in the Region 1-5A playoffs on Saturday, clinching an at-large bid after finishing the season 16-8. It sets Columbia up with a matchup at No. 2 seed Ridgeview (17-7) next Wednesday.
Branford receiver Kyshaun Veasey runs past a Hollis Christian Academy defender on Friday. (ERIN ROBERTS/Special to the Reporter)

Branford receiver Kyshaun Veasey runs past a Hollis Christian Academy defender on Friday. (ERIN ROBERTS/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford shuts out Hollis Christian Academy

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Saturday, October 21, 2023
BRANFORD — Branford’s Austin Malaguti was given an opportunity that many senior athletes rarely get. He was given a second chance to erase the bad taste of a final home game. Malaguti and his fellow 12th-graders made the most of that chance on Friday.
Lafayette linebacker Jalen Hill returns an interception for a touchdown against Trenton on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

Lafayette linebacker Jalen Hill returns an interception for a touchdown against Trenton on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Hill's pick-6 caps off Lafayette's rally over Trenton

JAMIE WACHTER
Saturday, October 21, 2023
TRENTON — Trailing early in the fourth and the Lafayette offense stuck in neutral, Jalen Hill came off the field after a 3-and-out asking to get the ball. So the senior decided to take matters into his own hands Friday night.
Columbia’s girls golf team placed second at the Jill Darr Memorial on Thursday. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s girls golf team placed second at the Jill Darr Memorial on Thursday. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Columbia finishes runner-up at Jill Darr Memorial

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 20, 2023
Columbia placed second at the Jill Darr Memorial on Thursday at Hawkstone Country Club, tallying a 335 total behind champion Fleming Island’s 307. Karlee Gainey led the Tigers with a 1-over-73. Alison O’Brien was next for CHS with a 77, while Megan Ruwe carded an 83 and Rayna Hardin added a 102.
Suwannee swimmer Raegan Conklin placed second in the 50 freestyle and third in the 100 freestyle at the District 3-2A meet on Thursday. (COURTESY)

Suwannee swimmer Raegan Conklin placed second in the 50 freestyle and third in the 100 freestyle at the District 3-2A meet on Thursday. (COURTESY)

PREP SWIMMING: Conklin leads list of regional qualifiers for Suwannee

NEWS STAFF
Friday, October 20, 2023
Raegan Conklin placed second in the girls 50 freestyle and third in the 100 freestyle to lead a list of regional qualifiers for Suwannee at Thursday’s District 3-2A meet at Planet Swim in Fernandina Beach. Conklin’s 50 freestyle time of 27.
Columbia golfer Connor Williams (left) is above with tournament host Frank Anderson after winning the Ann/John Ives Alachua County Championship on Wednesday.

Columbia golfer Connor Williams (left) is above with tournament host Frank Anderson after winning the Ann/John Ives Alachua County Championship on Wednesday.

BOYS GOLF: Columbia's Williams wins Ann/John Ives Alachua County Championship

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Columbia golfer Connor Williams shot a 1-under-69 to win the Ann/John Ives Alachua County Championship on Wednesday, winning by 11 strokes as the only golfer to shoot under par.