Sports

Columbia running back Tony Fulton is tackled on a carry against Madison County this past season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia running back Tony Fulton is tackled on a carry against Madison County this past season. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Changes could be coming with metro/suburban classes, playoff overhaul

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Florida high school football could undergo a major overhaul heading into next season. The FHSAA’s Athletic Director Advisory Committee voted Wednesday by a slim 8-7 margin to endorse a proposal to split schools into four metro and five suburban/rural classifications.
Columbia’s Ty Folsom is once again the LCR’s Boys Golfer of the Year. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s Ty Folsom is once again the LCR’s Boys Golfer of the Year. (COURTESY)

FALL ALL-AREA: Folsom repeats as LCR's Boys Golfer of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Ty Folsom improved his golf game with a new mental edge. He changed his approach for his senior season and he put together his best campaign yet. Folsom once again wasn’t just Columbia’s No. 1 golfer but also the top golfer in the area. He posted an area-best 33.
Columbia’s Veona Osborne is the LCR’s Girls Golfer of the Year. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia’s Veona Osborne is the LCR’s Girls Golfer of the Year. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

FALL ALL-AREA: Osborne named LCR's Girls Golfer of the Year

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Veona Osborne hasn’t been at this long. Just three years ago, the Columbia junior picked up a club and took her first swings into a larger world. Osborne’s sister and stepfather were hitting golf balls. That’s when she decided she’d like a whack at it.
FWHS

FWHS

PREP ROUNDUP: Fort White lifter Katie Griffith wins district title

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
FORT WHITE — Defending state champion Katie Griffith won the District 5-1A title in the 101 class for Fort White on Tuesday in the school’s gym. Griffith benched 140 pounds and had a clean and jerk of 140 pounds to finish with a 180 total for the Indians, 105 pounds ahead of second place.
Florida State forward Malik Osborne (10) and forward John Butler (22) celebrate beating Duke 79-78 in overtime on Tuesday in Tallahassee. (MARK WALLHEISER/Associated Press)

Florida State forward Malik Osborne (10) and forward John Butler (22) celebrate beating Duke 79-78 in overtime on Tuesday in Tallahassee. (MARK WALLHEISER/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Butler’s block seals Florida State’s OT win over No. 6 Duke

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
TALLAHASSEE — Florida State let a late lead evaporate in regulation. Given another chance in overtime, the Seminoles got it done against No. 6 Duke. RayQuan Evans made a pair of free throws with 12 seconds left in overtime, John Butler blocked Wendell Moore Jr.
Branford’s Justin Hernandez is the LCR’s Boys Runner of the Year. (COURTESY)

Branford’s Justin Hernandez is the LCR’s Boys Runner of the Year. (COURTESY)

FALL ALL-AREA: Hernandez named LCR's Boys Runner of the Year

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
BRANFORD — Justin Hernandez brought a different mindset with him to Branford this fall. A senior, Hernandez was determined to capitalize on his final opportunity to make his mark and leave a legacy as a Buccaneer.
Columbia’s Audrey Fender is the LCR’s Girls Runner of the Year again. (COURTESY)

Columbia’s Audrey Fender is the LCR’s Girls Runner of the Year again. (COURTESY)

FALL ALL-AREA: Fender named LCR's Girls Runner of the Year again

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
An early-season hurdle couldn’t slow down Columbia runner Audrey Fender. She overcame a knee injury, won three races and led her team to regionals as the fastest runner in the area, dropping her personal-best time by nearly a minute.