Sports

Branford’s boys and girls track and field teams are pictured after Saturday’s District 5-1A meet. The boys won their first title since 2009, while the girls finished runner-up. (COURTESY)

Branford’s boys and girls track and field teams are pictured after Saturday’s District 5-1A meet. The boys won their first title since 2009, while the girls finished runner-up. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Branford boys win District 5-1A title, girls finish runner-up

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, April 19, 2021
GAINESVILLE — Branford’s boys ran away with the District 5-1A title on Saturday at Oak Hall, tallying 202.5 points for the championship. Brice Criggall (19.13 in 110 hurdles), Evan Dowdy (1.72m in high jump), Devin Mosley (12.98m in shot put) and Kyson Johnson (44.
Columbia’s Seth Stockton (left) won a district title in the triple jump at Saturday’s District 2-3A meet, while James Williamson (right) won district crowns in the 100 and 200, breaking his own school record in the 200 by .03 seconds. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Seth Stockton (left) won a district title in the triple jump at Saturday’s District 2-3A meet, while James Williamson (right) won district crowns in the 100 and 200, breaking his own school record in the 200 by .03 seconds. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Williamson wins district titles in 100 & 200 & breaks own record, while Stockton leaps to 1st in triple jump

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, April 19, 2021
GAINESVILLE — James Williamson won two district titles, qualified for regionals in another event and broke his own school record. All in a day’s work. Williamson won the District 2-3A title in the 100 with a time of 10.69 seconds and then won the 200 in 21.
Branford third baseman Madison Sikes celebrates with pitcher Laila Arnold after an out against Fort White on Thursday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Branford third baseman Madison Sikes celebrates with pitcher Laila Arnold after an out against Fort White on Thursday night. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford avenges loss to Fort White with win two nights later

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 15, 2021
BRANFORD — Two nights after striking out 17 times against Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton, Branford came into Thursday’s rematch with a different approach. It was pretty simple too. “Confidence. That’s all it was,” Branford coach Oscar Saavedra said.
Suwannee's boys track & field team won the District 2-2A title on Tuesday with 197 points, outdistancing Florida High's 166 points. (COURTESY)

Suwannee's boys track & field team won the District 2-2A title on Tuesday with 197 points, outdistancing Florida High's 166 points. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Suwannee's boys & girls win first district titles since 2014

JAMIE WACHTER
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
LIVE OAK — For the first time in nearly a decade, Suwannee’s boys and girls track & field teams won district titles Tuesday, sweeping the District 2-2A crowns at Florida High. Jesse Cushman (5:03.14 in 1600), Austin Smith (1.77m in high jump) and Will Wainwright (43.
Columbia second baseman Truitt Todd lays down a bunt to score Cole Williams for the game-winning win against Baker County on Tuesday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia second baseman Truitt Todd lays down a bunt to score Cole Williams for the game-winning win against Baker County on Tuesday night. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia tops Baker County late after blowing lead

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
GLEN SAINT MARY — It could’ve been the same song and dance for the Tigers Tuesday night.  After clawing their way to a 5-1 lead heading into the sixth inning at Baker County, a pair of errors in the infield allowed four Wildcat runners to score to even the game up.
Suwannee pitcher Karis Smith beats the tag from Columbia third baseman Anissa Penniman to slide safely into third base during Tuesday night’s game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee pitcher Karis Smith beats the tag from Columbia third baseman Anissa Penniman to slide safely into third base during Tuesday night’s game. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Suwannee rolls past Columbia for second win in as many nights

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
A close game turned into a rout when Suwannee sent 31 batters to the plate over the final three innings. It led to 15 runs and a second win over Columbia in as many nights.
Columbia’s Tyler Ford performs the clean and jerk during the Region 1-2A meet on Friday. Ford placed fourth in the 238 weight class, earning an at-large bid to the Class 2A state meet on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia’s Tyler Ford performs the clean and jerk during the Region 1-2A meet on Friday. Ford placed fourth in the 238 weight class, earning an at-large bid to the Class 2A state meet on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Special to the Reporter)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Columbia qualifies four lifters for state meet, Suwannee sending six onward

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Julius Moreland won a regional title for Columbia last week to qualify for state. Suwannee’s Jaquez Moore did the same. They’ll both lift next week but they won’t be alone. A few more teammates will be joining them.