Sports

Columbia’s 2013 softball team celebrates in a dogpile after defeating Pembroke Pines Charter to win the Class 6A state championship on May 12, 2013, at the Vero Beach Sports Village. (FILE)

Columbia’s 2013 softball team celebrates in a dogpile after defeating Pembroke Pines Charter to win the Class 6A state championship on May 12, 2013, at the Vero Beach Sports Village. (FILE)

10 YEARS LATER: Columbia’s first softball state title as told by those who lived it

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, June 30, 2023
Jimmy Williams knew he had a talented group in 2013. Six juniors. Three sophomores. It was a core that had a chance to do something no softball team had ever done at Columbia — win a state title.
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) walks off the field after a game against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 28, 2021, in Jacksonville. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/AP File)

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson (74) walks off the field after a game against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 28, 2021, in Jacksonville. (GARY MCCULLOUGH/AP File)

NFL: Jaguars LT Cam Robinson suspended 4 games for violating NFL policy on PEDs

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thursday, June 29, 2023
JACKSONVILLE — The NFL suspended Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson on Thursday for the first four games of the regular season for violating league policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Robinson and the team had been awaiting his punishment for more than two months.
Fort White linebacker Lecosta Byrd (left) and receiver Najeeb Smith (right) lead the Indians on to the field for their spring game on May 23. (CHRISTINA FEAGIN/Special to the Reporter)

Fort White linebacker Lecosta Byrd (left) and receiver Najeeb Smith (right) lead the Indians on to the field for their spring game on May 23. (CHRISTINA FEAGIN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White’s schedule full of teams from Jackson’s first tenure as head coach

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
FORT WHITE — There are plenty of familiar names on Fort White’s schedule for Demetric Jackson. It’s also a slate that could lead to a very successful season in his first year back as head coach. The Indians’ schedule looks very similar to a year ago but with two new additions.
Columbia receiver Zamarion Jones (10) celebrates with receiver Jasper White (14) after scoring a touchdown against Bartram Trail during the teams’ spring game on May 19. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia receiver Zamarion Jones (10) celebrates with receiver Jasper White (14) after scoring a touchdown against Bartram Trail during the teams’ spring game on May 19. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia fills 10-game schedule for 2023, including 8 playoff teams from last season

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Columbia has a full 10-game schedule this season and it includes two new additions that made deep playoff runs a year ago. Fresh off a run to the state semifinals in 2022, Bolles has returned to the slate after a year off for a Week 7 matchup in Lake City.
Florida outfielder Ty Evans (2) is greeted at the plate by Ben Nippolt (5) after his solo home run during the second inning of Game 2 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Sunday in Omaha, Neb. (JOHN PETERSON/Associated Press)

Florida outfielder Ty Evans (2) is greeted at the plate by Ben Nippolt (5) after his solo home run during the second inning of Game 2 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Sunday in Omaha, Neb. (JOHN PETERSON/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Florida sets CWS record for runs with 24-4 win over LSU to force deciding Game 3

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, June 25, 2023
OMAHA, Neb.— Florida had been involved in more close games than any other team at the College World Series this year. That changed in a big way Sunday, when the Gators unleashed an offensive barrage of historic proportions.
LSU's Cade Veloso celebrates as he approaches home plate after hitting a solo home run to take the lead against Florida in the 11th inning of Game 1 of the College World Series finals on Saturday in Omaha, Neb. (REBECCA S. GRATZ/Associated Press)

LSU's Cade Veloso celebrates as he approaches home plate after hitting a solo home run to take the lead against Florida in the 11th inning of Game 1 of the College World Series finals on Saturday in Omaha, Neb. (REBECCA S. GRATZ/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASEBALL: Beloso's HR in 11th lifts LSU over Florida in Game 1 of CWS finals

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, June 24, 2023
OMAHA, Neb. — After being overshadowed all season by the best pitcher in college baseball, Ty Floyd basked in the spotlight Saturday night. He earned it.
Florida’s Tyler Shelnut, a Fort White High graduate, celebrates after hitting a double against TCU in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s at College World Series game in Omaha, Neb. (REBECCA S. GRATZ/Associated Press)

Florida’s Tyler Shelnut, a Fort White High graduate, celebrates after hitting a double against TCU in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s at College World Series game in Omaha, Neb. (REBECCA S. GRATZ/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASEBALL: SEC's dominance on display again with Florida and LSU matched up in the CWS finals

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, June 23, 2023
OMAHA, Neb.— LSU coach Jay Johnson remembered scanning the 64-team NCAA Tournament field when it was announced almost a month ago, and he had a premonition Florida would be the opponent if his team reached the College World Series finals.