Sports

The NCAA logo is displayed as work continues at The Consol Energy Center for the NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2015, in Pittsburgh. The NCAA Board of Directors is expected to greenlight one of the biggest changes in the history of college athletics when it clears the way for athletes to start earning money based on their fame and celebrity without fear of endangering their eligibility or putting their school in jeopardy of violating amateurism rules that have stood for decades. (AP FILE PHOTO)

The NCAA logo is displayed as work continues at The Consol Energy Center for the NCAA Tournament on March 15, 2015, in Pittsburgh. The NCAA Board of Directors is expected to greenlight one of the biggest changes in the history of college athletics when it clears the way for athletes to start earning money based on their fame and celebrity without fear of endangering their eligibility or putting their school in jeopardy of violating amateurism rules that have stood for decades. (AP FILE PHOTO)

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: NCAA clears athletes for compensation as state laws kick in

DALLAS — The NCAA Board of Directors approved one of the biggest changes in the history of college athletics Wednesday, clearing the way for nearly a half-million athletes to start earning money based on their fame and celebrity without fear of endangering their eligibility or putting their school...
Columbia goalkeeper Colby Strickland (left center) signed his letter of intent to play at Shorter University on Wednesday in the high school auditorium. Strickland is pictured with his father, Sid (bottom left), his mother, Donna (center right), his grandmother Brenda Outlaw (bottom right), and his brothers Caleb (top left) and Jacob (top right). (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia goalkeeper Colby Strickland (left center) signed his letter of intent to play at Shorter University on Wednesday in the high school auditorium. Strickland is pictured with his father, Sid (bottom left), his mother, Donna (center right), his grandmother Brenda Outlaw (bottom right), and his brothers Caleb (top left) and Jacob (top right). (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Columbia goalkeeper Colby Strickland signs to play at Shorter

Colby Strickland found a new home just in time. After graduating from Columbia less than a month ago, the standout goalkeeper signed his letter of intent to play at Shorter on Wednesday afternoon in the high school auditorium.
Suwannee’s Matti Marsee is the LCR’s Girls Tennis Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

Suwannee’s Matti Marsee is the LCR’s Girls Tennis Player of the Year. (COURTESY)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Marsee named LCR's Girls Tennis Player of the Year

LIVE OAK — It began with a family connection, but Matti Marsee’s inspiration on the court came from far away. Playing tennis seriously since the second grade, it was Serena Williams that pushed Marsee, that motivated her to improve, to achieve more.
Suwannee’s Jaquez Moore (left) and Columbia’s Julius Moreland (right) are the LCR’s Boys Weightlifters of the Year. (FILE)

Suwannee’s Jaquez Moore (left) and Columbia’s Julius Moreland (right) are the LCR’s Boys Weightlifters of the Year. (FILE)

SPRING ALL-AREA: Moore, Moreland named LCR's Boys Weightlifters of the Year

They both won district titles. Then regionals titles, and then the big prize. Columbia’s Julius Moreland and Suwannee’s Jaquez Moore took home Class 2A state titles in April to finish off their postseason sweeps.
Columbia receiver Marcus Peterson, a 2022 3-star prospect, verbally committed to Cincinnati on Sunday. He's pictured on his visit to Cincinnati on June 20. (COURTESY)

Columbia receiver Marcus Peterson, a 2022 3-star prospect, verbally committed to Cincinnati on Sunday. He's pictured on his visit to Cincinnati on June 20. (COURTESY)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia WR Marcus Peterson commits to Cincinnati

Marcus Peterson says he’s joining another Columbia receiver at Cincinnati. The Tigers’ standout wideout verbally committed to the Bearcats via the USA Today Network on Sunday.
Branford running back Bodhi White bolts down the field for a touchdown against Bell in the teams’ spring game on May 24. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Branford running back Bodhi White bolts down the field for a touchdown against Bell in the teams’ spring game on May 24. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Branford joins Sunshine State Athletic Conference to fill out 2021 schedule

BRANFORD — Success brings not only rewards, but also challenges. After posting six straight losing seasons from 2011-16, the Branford football team had no trouble scheduling games. Everybody was more than happy to play the Buccaneers.
Columbia receiver Marcus Peterson tweeted out the four photos above Tuesday night to announce he was committing to a college on Sunday. Peterson is pictured on his four visits this month to Florida State (top left), UCF (top right), Pittsburgh (bottom left) and Cincinnati (bottom right). (COURTESY PHOTOS)

Columbia receiver Marcus Peterson tweeted out the four photos above Tuesday night to announce he was committing to a college on Sunday. Peterson is pictured on his four visits this month to Florida State (top left), UCF (top right), Pittsburgh (bottom left) and Cincinnati (bottom right). (COURTESY PHOTOS)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia 2022 WR Marcus Peterson announces he’ll commit to FSU, UCF, Pittsburgh or Cincinnati this Sunday

Columbia receiver Marcus Peterson will make his college decision this weekend. The 2022 3-star prospect announced on Twitter Tuesday night that he will commit on Sunday at noon.