Sports

Austin Cindric celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday in Daytona Beach. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

Austin Cindric celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday in Daytona Beach. (JOHN RAOUX/Associated Press)

AUTO RACING: Cindric wins Daytona 500 to celebrate Penske's 85th birthday

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, February 20, 2022
DAYTONA BEACH — Roger Penske had one rule at the Daytona 500 for his drivers: Do Not Wreck Each Other. His orders were followed Sunday night when Austin Cindric worked with teammate Ryan Blaney over the closing laps to win the Daytona 500 as a celebration of Penske's 85th birthday.
Duke forward Joey Baker (13) draws a charge against Florida State center Tanor Ngom (11) while Duke forward Theo John (12) defends during Saturday’s game in Durham, N.C. (GERRY BROOME/Associated Press)

Duke forward Joey Baker (13) draws a charge against Florida State center Tanor Ngom (11) while Duke forward Theo John (12) defends during Saturday’s game in Durham, N.C. (GERRY BROOME/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: No. 9 Duke rolls past Florida State in Coach K’s return

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 19, 2022
DURHAM, N.C.— Joey Baker hadn't seen a 3-pointer fall in three weeks for Duke. He stayed confident that it was just a matter of time. When he got hot Saturday night, so did the ninth-ranked Blue Devils in finally stretching out a lead in a tight game.
Florida guard Tyree Appleby (left) talks with broadcasters as he celebrates Florida's 63-62 win over Auburn on Saturday in Gainesville. (ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Associated Press)

Florida guard Tyree Appleby (left) talks with broadcasters as he celebrates Florida's 63-62 win over Auburn on Saturday in Gainesville. (ALAN YOUNGBLOOD/Associated Press)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Appleby takes over as Florida rallies to upset No. 2 Auburn

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 19, 2022
GAINESVILLE — Tyree Appleby found himself swarmed by students, fans and teammates at midcourt. It was the first time a scene like that unfolded at the O'Connell Center in more than 30 years. Appleby was right in the middle of it, enjoying every second in the spotlight.
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores smiles on the sidelines during a game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens. (AP FILE)

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores smiles on the sidelines during a game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 28, 2021, in Miami Gardens. (AP FILE)

NFL: Flores hired to Steelers staff; lawsuit against NFL proceeds

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Saturday, February 19, 2022
PITTSBURGH — Brian Flores is back in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired the former Miami Dolphins coach on Saturday to serve as a senior defensive assistant. Flores will specialize in working with Pittsburgh's linebackers, a group that includes NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.
Columbia pitcher Truitt Todd throws during a game last season. (FILE)

Columbia pitcher Truitt Todd throws during a game last season. (FILE)

BASEBALL PREVIEW: Columbia, Suwannee loaded up for playoff contention

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 18, 2022
No team in the area made the playoffs last season, but that’s expected to change in 2022. Columbia is now led by first-year head coach Chris Howard, who coached Hamilton County to the Class 1A Final Four last season and is replacing Brian Thomas who retired after five years.
Suwannee wrestler Topher Pearson celebrates after winning the District 2-1A title in he 106 class on Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee wrestler Topher Pearson celebrates after winning the District 2-1A title in he 106 class on Friday. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS WRESTLING: Five Bulldogs win district titles, 13 qualify for regionals

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, February 18, 2022
LIVE OAK — With a chance to go to regionals as a team on the line, Suwannee’s wrestlers had almost everything they needed. The only missing piece? A heavyweight. The Bulldogs came in a close second at home to Wakulla at the District 2-1A meet Friday afternoon.
The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP FILE)

The College Football Playoff logo is shown on the field at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (AP FILE)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: After early CFP expansion fails, job only gets tougher

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Friday, February 18, 2022
Not expanding the College Football Playoff sooner won't make it easier to expand it later. “In fact, I think it becomes more complicated," Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey told The Associated Press on Friday.