Sports

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

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
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

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, June 29, 2021
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

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, June 28, 2021
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

JORDAN KROEGER
Sunday, June 27, 2021
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

JAMIE WACHTER
Thursday, June 24, 2021
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

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
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.
Chris Howard (right) is pictured with his son Brent Howard after Hamilton County won the District 6-1A title this past season. The Columbia County School Board approved Howard as Columbia’s new baseball coach on Tuesday after he agreed to take the job at the end of May. Brent will be joining him as a senior at Columbia as well. (FILE)

Chris Howard (right) is pictured with his son Brent Howard after Hamilton County won the District 6-1A title this past season. The Columbia County School Board approved Howard as Columbia’s new baseball coach on Tuesday after he agreed to take the job at the end of May. Brent will be joining him as a senior at Columbia as well. (FILE)

PREP BASEBALL: School board finally approves Chris Howard as new Columbia coach after he agreed to job in May

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
The Columbia County School Board officially approved Chris Howard as Columbia’s new baseball coach at Tuesday’s meeting, nearly a month after Howard agreed to take the job. Howard was recommended to the school board at the end of May by Columbia principal Trey Hosford.