Sports

Union County shortstop Wesley Crockett (20) fields the ground ball up the middle in the bottom of the eighth inning and steps on second base for the force out on Garrett Taylor (9) to end the Game 2 of the Region 3-R finals. It finished off a sweep for the Tigers. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Union County shortstop Wesley Crockett (20) fields the ground ball up the middle in the bottom of the eighth inning and steps on second base for the force out on Garrett Taylor (9) to end the Game 2 of the Region 3-R finals. It finished off a sweep for the Tigers. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Union County edges Lafayette in extras to sweep Region 3-R finals

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Saturday, May 9, 2026
LAKE BUTLER — The Hornets were no strangers to the threat of elimination. Even going back into the regular season, head coach Tim Hanson said there was a point when even he doubted his team would get as far as it did. No.
Former Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass during spring practice on April 29. Collins departed after practice Tuesday to transfer to Camden County in Georgia. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Former Columbia quarterback Xavier Collins throws a pass during spring practice on April 29. Collins departed after practice Tuesday to transfer to Camden County in Georgia. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: QB Collins leaves Columbia, transfers to Camden County

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 8, 2026
Xavier Collins was at Columbia’s spring practice Tuesday.Then Wednesday, he was gone.The three-year starter at quarterback transferred to Camden County (Ga.) this week less than two weeks before the teams meet in their spring game on May 15.
Lafayette catcher Brayden Richardson can't reel in a throw as Union County scores a run during Game 1 of the Region 3-R finals on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Lafayette catcher Brayden Richardson can't reel in a throw as Union County scores a run during Game 1 of the Region 3-R finals on Friday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Union County run-rules Lafayette to take Game 1 of Region 3-R finals

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 8, 2026
LAKE BUTLER — Rain threatened Game 1 of the Region 3-R championship series both before and during play. Pitchers for each side were tasked with keeping their grips in a steady downpour through the first couple of innings. Not long after, the No. 3 seed Hornets lost their grip on the game itself.
Fort White lifters Andrew Ulsch (from left, second in Olympic and fifth in traditional), Adam Ford (fifth in Olympic), Jonathan Ulsch (state champion in traditional, second in Olympic) and Matthew Koontz (fourth in traditional) all reached the medal stand at the Class 1A state meet on Friday. (COURTESY)

Fort White lifters Andrew Ulsch (from left, second in Olympic and fifth in traditional), Adam Ford (fifth in Olympic), Jonathan Ulsch (state champion in traditional, second in Olympic) and Matthew Koontz (fourth in traditional) all reached the medal stand at the Class 1A state meet on Friday. (COURTESY)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Ulsch wins state title, Fort White finishes fourth at Class 1A meet

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 8, 2026
LAKELAND — Going into Friday’s Class 1A state weightlifting meet, Fort White expected to repeat as champions.But the young Indians didn’t deliver their best performance, ending up tying for fourth in both traditional and Olympic with 12 points in each.
Suwannee senior Ryleigh Hermanson shows off her Class 2A state championship medal in the 1600m alongside assistant coach Twon Williams on Thursday. (COURTESY)

Suwannee senior Ryleigh Hermanson shows off her Class 2A state championship medal in the 1600m alongside assistant coach Twon Williams on Thursday. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Hermanson wins Class 2A state title in 1600m

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 8, 2026
JACKSONVILLE — As Suwannee senior Ryleigh Hermanson crossed the finish line at the Class 2A state meet Thursday ahead of the field in the 1600 meters, three words came to mind.
Branford first baseman Mallory Blue celebrates after making the final out that secured a 9-3 win over Union County in the Region 3-R semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford first baseman Mallory Blue celebrates after making the final out that secured a 9-3 win over Union County in the Region 3-R semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford pulls away from Union County to return to Region 3-R finals

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 7, 2026
BRANFORD — Every time Union County fought back, Branford had an answer.The final one came thanks to a pitching change, much to the Buccaneers’ delight.The No. 2 seed Bucs struck for three runs in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth off reliever Emma Handley to pull away from the No.
Columbia pitcher Kinley King struck out all nine Escambia batters she faced during the Tigers' 14-0 win in Wednesday's Region 1-4A quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Kinley King struck out all nine Escambia batters she faced during the Tigers' 14-0 win in Wednesday's Region 1-4A quarterfinal. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia makes quick work of Escambia in Region 1-4A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
It’s become a tradition after every game for Columbia pitcher Kinley King to call out the Tigers’ record.“Ever since we beat Trenton, I just started yelling it out and it just sticks in our brain,” King said. “They always know I have to yell it out.