Sports

Suwannee’s Kodi Lang heads upfield against Madison County last season at Langford Stadium. The Cowboys are one of the seven playoff teams on the Bulldogs’ schedule this fall. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s Kodi Lang heads upfield against Madison County last season at Langford Stadium. The Cowboys are one of the seven playoff teams on the Bulldogs’ schedule this fall. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee looks forward to challenging slate

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
LIVE OAK — If Suwannee High is going to repeat its best season in nearly a decade, it will have to go through a season full of challenges.
The Columbia High track is being resurfaced, a project that is expected to be completed before the school year starts in August. Once completed, the track will be able to host a wide array of meets. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

The Columbia High track is being resurfaced, a project that is expected to be completed before the school year starts in August. Once completed, the track will be able to host a wide array of meets. (TONY BRITT/Lake City Reporter)

CHS track resurfacing expected to be completed by start of school

TONY BRITT
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
New clothing, new hairstyles and haircuts, and some new attitudes are all elements that contribute to a new school year. But at Columbia High School, the new look for the 2023-24 school year also will extend to the school’s track.
Lafayette defensive end Amarie Fleming makes a tackle against Trenton last season. (FILE)

Lafayette defensive end Amarie Fleming makes a tackle against Trenton last season. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Lafayette to face similar opponents in 2023, adds Chiefland

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
MAYO — With a young roster, Lafayette coach Marcus Edwards is anxious to see what the 2023 Hornets look like. Edwards, entering into his third season at the helm of his alma mater, is hoping a similar schedule as a year ago can help provide those answers.
Suwannee High’s Savannah White placed second in the USA Youth National Championships in the 81-plus kg division at last week’s USA weightlifting national championships. (COURTESY)

Suwannee High’s Savannah White placed second in the USA Youth National Championships in the 81-plus kg division at last week’s USA weightlifting national championships. (COURTESY)

PREP WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee High lifters Wainwright, White medal at USA Weightlifting National Championships

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, July 3, 2023
LIVE OAK — A summer trip to Colorado ended with some hardware coming back for a pair of Suwannee High lifters. Four Suwannee weightlifters took part in the USA Weightlifting National Championships last week in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Florida quarterback John Brantley stands under center at the line of scrimmage against Tennessee on Sept. 17, 2011, in Gainesville. (AP FILE)

Florida quarterback John Brantley stands under center at the line of scrimmage against Tennessee on Sept. 17, 2011, in Gainesville. (AP FILE)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Florida takes 1st public step toward a $400M-plus renovation to its aging and iconic Swamp

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, July 3, 2023
GAINESVILLE — The Swamp is getting a makeover, a significant overhaul that’s expected to cost at least $400 million and be a “multigeneration solution” for an aging and iconic stadium in the heart of Florida’s campus.
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.