Sports

Fort White's Hayden Gustavson verbally committed to Florida State on Thursday. (COURTESY)

Fort White's Hayden Gustavson verbally committed to Florida State on Thursday. (COURTESY)

PREP BASEBALL: Gustavson commits to FSU, Fernald chooses UCF

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, October 22, 2021
Two local baseball players verbally committed to Division I colleges over the past week. Fort White 2023 pitcher/infielder Hayden Gustavson committed to Florida State on Thursday, while Suwannee 2023 pitcher/outfielder Josh Fernald committed to UCF on Oct. 15.
Branford’s volleyball team poses with the District 5-1A championship trophy after defeating Lafayette in five sets Thursday night. (CONCEPCION LEDEZMA/Special to the Reporter)

Branford’s volleyball team poses with the District 5-1A championship trophy after defeating Lafayette in five sets Thursday night. (CONCEPCION LEDEZMA/Special to the Reporter)

PREP VOLLEYBALL: Branford beats Lafayette in 5-set thriller to win District 5-1A title

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Thursday, October 21, 2021
BRANFORD — It was so fitting that Branford sophomore Jadyn Mosley capped off her most memorable performance of the season with a kill from the right corner, launching a joyous on-court celebration.
Columbia quarterback Evan Umstead tries to escape a tackle from Orange Park defensive lineman Britton Roberts on Oct. 15. (FRAN RUCHALSKI/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Evan Umstead tries to escape a tackle from Orange Park defensive lineman Britton Roberts on Oct. 15. (FRAN RUCHALSKI/Special to the Reporter)

FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW: Columbia meets up-and-down Madison County at Boot Hill

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Madison County has been a little Jekyll and Hyde this season. Aside from a loss to Valdosta in the season opener where a few players were suspended from the fallout of a fight in the spring game against Taylor County, the Cowboys also have losses to Chiles and Dunnellon.
Suwannee running back Malachi Graham rushes up the field against Paxon on Oct. 15. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Suwannee running back Malachi Graham rushes up the field against Paxon on Oct. 15. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW: Suwannee, Bishop Kenny need wins for playoff hopes

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, October 21, 2021
LIVE OAK — The Suwannee Bulldogs have looked different this week. Fresh off their first win in more than a month, the Bulldogs had a little extra pep in their step at practice. There’s been a little more fun and excitement leading into the visit to Bishop Kenny for a 7 p.m. kickoff today.
Columbia's boys golf team won the Ann/John Ives Alachua County Championship on Thursday. (COURTESY)

Columbia's boys golf team won the Ann/John Ives Alachua County Championship on Thursday. (COURTESY)

BOYS GOLF: Columbia wins Alachua County championship

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Columbia ran away with the title at the Ann/John Ives Alachua County Championship on Thursday at Mark Bostick Golf Course. The Tigers finished with a score of 294 and were led by individual champion Spencer McCranie, who finished with a 70.
CHS

CHS

GIRLS GOLF: Columbia places second at Jill Darr Tournament

NEWS STAFF
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Columbia placed second at the Jill Darr Tournament at Hawkstone Country Club on Tuesday in an 18-hole pre-district tournament. The Tigers finished with 351 points behind champion Forest, which had 334. Karlee Gainey led CHS with a 79, while Ashley Nelson carded an 84.