Sports

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (left) throws a pass as he is pressured by edge T.J. Searcy (19) the team's annual Orange and Blue spring game on Thursday in Gainesville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Florida quarterback Graham Mertz (left) throws a pass as he is pressured by edge T.J. Searcy (19) the team's annual Orange and Blue spring game on Thursday in Gainesville. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Ex-Wisconsin QB Mertz finding his footing at Florida

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, April 14, 2023
GAINESVILLE — Graham Mertz jogged into the Swamp with the first-team offense Thursday night, wearing the No. 15 jersey made famous by Tim Tebow and harboring no regrets about leaving Wisconsin for Florida.
Columbia left fielder Sakiya Merriex looks up after making a diving catch against Williston on Thursday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia left fielder Sakiya Merriex looks up after making a diving catch against Williston on Thursday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Williston homers four times to beat Columbia for a third time

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 13, 2023
The long ball led to a short night and a sweet victory for Williston. It also left Columbia’s pitchers battered and bruised. Four balls left the park, including two home runs by Olivia Davis, to lead an offense that crushed the ball all game long.
Columbia’s Matt Dumas strains as he rounds third base during Wednesday’s 8-5 loss to Chiles. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia’s Matt Dumas strains as he rounds third base during Wednesday’s 8-5 loss to Chiles. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Special to the Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Chiles snaps Columbia's 10-game win streak

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
With the game being played a day earlier than originally scheduled, the pitching rotation was drastically disrupted for both Columbia and visiting Chiles.
Columbia pitcher McKenna O’Sullivan celebrates on third after hitting an RBI double earlier in the first inning against Gainesville on Wednesday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher McKenna O’Sullivan celebrates on third after hitting an RBI double earlier in the first inning against Gainesville on Wednesday night. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia's offense feasts in second win over Gainesville

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
GAINESVILLE — The last time Columbia played Gainesville, the bats were a little cold. The Tigers managed to squeak out a 2-0 win against the Hurricanes last month despite it, but head coach Cindy Dansby has been preaching to her team the importance of timely hitting.
Columbia’s Seth Stockton competes in the triple jump at the Don Hall Invitational on April 6. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s Seth Stockton competes in the triple jump at the Don Hall Invitational on April 6. (COURTESY)

PREP NOTEBOOK: Stockton leaping to new heights at Columbia in triple jump

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Will Seth Stockton cap off his career at Columbia with a state title? The numbers are certainly trending in that direction. Stockton continues to break his own school record, doing so again at the Don Hall Invitational last Thursday.
Branford’s Madyson Sikes scores the game-winning run against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Branford’s Madyson Sikes scores the game-winning run against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford outlasts county rival Suwannee in 9 innings

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
BRANFORD — Extra inning thrillers tend to be the trend lately for county rivals Suwannee and Branford. Playing in a third consecutive extra-inning game, Branford pulled off its third straight victory.
Suwannee’s Chris Gonzalez performs the clean and jerk during the Region 2-1A meet on Friday. Gonzalez won regional titles in the traditional and Olympic in the 119 weight class to qualify for state in both events. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee’s Chris Gonzalez performs the clean and jerk during the Region 2-1A meet on Friday. Gonzalez won regional titles in the traditional and Olympic in the 119 weight class to qualify for state in both events. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Suwannee leads area with 19 state qualifiers, Columbia has 4

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
LIVE OAK — Qualifying nearly its entire team — with most also seeded to score points — Suwannee is in a good spot heading into Saturday’s Class 1A state meet.
Florida football coach Billy Napier paces the sidelines during a game against Missouri on Oct. 8, 2022, in Gainesville. Florida Victorious formally launched on Tuesday with hopes of raising money to fund NIL deals for student-athletes — and ultimately help the Gators get back to national prominence in football and men’s basketball. (JOHN RAOUX/AP File)

Florida football coach Billy Napier paces the sidelines during a game against Missouri on Oct. 8, 2022, in Gainesville. Florida Victorious formally launched on Tuesday with hopes of raising money to fund NIL deals for student-athletes — and ultimately help the Gators get back to national prominence in football and men’s basketball. (JOHN RAOUX/AP File)

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: Gators launch 'Florida Victorious' to revamp, streamline NIL

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
GAINESVILLE — Three months after losing blue-chip quarterback Jaden Rashada over a failed name, image and likeness deal worth nearly $14 million, the University of Florida is revamping and streamlining its fundraising collective.