Sports

Columbia’s Hayden Gustavson turns off third base to head home for a run against Union County on Wednesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Hayden Gustavson turns off third base to head home for a run against Union County on Wednesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia bounces back with big win over 1A No. 1 Union County

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
One night after blowing a big lead, Columbia wasn’t about to suffer a similar fate against Union County. In a matchup of two state contenders, CHS jumped in front early and made sure to keep the pressure on to get back on track.
Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell on Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa. (MARK LOMOGLIO/AP File)

Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley makes a diving touchdown reception in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Ross Cockrell on Sept. 19, 2021, in Tampa. (MARK LOMOGLIO/AP File)

NFL: Jags WR Ridley thinks he could be better after lengthy layoff

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
JACKSONVILLE — By the time Calvin Ridley first stepped on a practice field with Trevor Lawrence a few weeks ago, he felt as if he already had played a full season with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Suwannee’s Braylyn Federico is tagged out at home plate by Santa Fe catcher Madie Crosby on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s Braylyn Federico is tagged out at home plate by Santa Fe catcher Madie Crosby on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Big sixth inning sparks Santa Fe's rally over Suwannee

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
LIVE OAK — Suwannee had regained a lead it had lost, and appeared poised for a two-game season sweep against visiting Santa Fe as the late innings got underway. The Bulldogs had rallied for three runs in the fifth for a 5-3 lead with two innings to go, but the lead was short-lived.
Columbia pitcher Trayce McKenzie-Starling pitches against Chiles on April 12. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Trayce McKenzie-Starling pitches against Chiles on April 12. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: CHS baseball blows lead against Bishop Kenny, SHS flag football advances in districts

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Columbia’s baseball team took a four-run lead deep into Tuesday night’s contest before the wheels fell off in the sixth inning at Bishop Kenny. Trayce McKenzie-Starling gave up five runs and Bynton Edge allowed three in the sixth to allow the Crusaders to rally past the Tigers for a 9-5 win.
Branford’s Madyson Sikes slides into home plate to score the game-winning run against Suwannee on April 11. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Branford’s Madyson Sikes slides into home plate to score the game-winning run against Suwannee on April 11. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP NOTEBOOK: Lady Bucs keep finding ways to win, streak now at 9

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Sometimes down but never out, Branford’s softball team keeps finding ways to win. The Buccaneers went 4-0 last week to extend their winning streak to nine games, pushing their record to 18-2 as they near the postseason.
Suwannee’s weightlifting team won the Class 1A state title in the Olympic on Saturday in Lakeland. (COURTESY)

Suwannee’s weightlifting team won the Class 1A state title in the Olympic on Saturday in Lakeland. (COURTESY)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee wins 1A title in Olympic, places second in traditional

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, April 17, 2023
LAKELAND — Another state weightlifting meet, another state title for Suwannee. The Bulldogs captured the Class 1A Olympic team title Saturday at the RP Funding Center, scoring 49 points to easily outdistance runners-up South Sumter and Keystone Heights, which finished with 29.
Columbia’s Waylon Fulford celebrates on third base after hitting an RBI triple against Gainesville on Friday night. It was Fulford’s first career hit. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Waylon Fulford celebrates on third base after hitting an RBI triple against Gainesville on Friday night. It was Fulford’s first career hit. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Fulford’s RBI triple highlights win for CHS over GHS on Senior Night

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, April 14, 2023
Waylon Fulford doesn’t typically start in Columbia’s lineup, or even see the field very often. In fact, he had never recorded a hit in his career, going 0 for 7. But as one of seven seniors who got the starting nod on Senior Night, Fulford finally had his big moment in a Tigers uniform.