Sports

Florida head coach Dan Mullen raises the championship bowl of oranges after the Gators defeated Virginia in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens. (AL DIAZ/Miami Herald/TNS)

Florida head coach Dan Mullen raises the championship bowl of oranges after the Gators defeated Virginia in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 30, 2019, in Miami Gardens. (AL DIAZ/Miami Herald/TNS)

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: UF adds 3 more to 2020 class

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
GAINESVILLE — It had been a disappointing signing day for Florida coach Dan Mullen when he took the podium Wednesday at 2 p.m.  But during his press conference, Mullen smiled when asked if the Gators could land any more recruits.  “Absolutely,” he said.
Columbia held Senior Night against Orange Park on Wednesday. Pictured are assistant coach Gary McGuigan (back row, from left), Jesse Braden, Daveyon Brown, Bryson Reobuck and coach Pete Whittington; Ian McGuigan (front row, from left), Preston O’Quinn and Alex McGuigan. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia held Senior Night against Orange Park on Wednesday. Pictured are assistant coach Gary McGuigan (back row, from left), Jesse Braden, Daveyon Brown, Bryson Reobuck and coach Pete Whittington; Ian McGuigan (front row, from left), Preston O’Quinn and Alex McGuigan. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

WRESTLING: Tigers take down Raiders on Senior Night

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Senior Night was a little district preview for Columbia. The Tigers walked away feeling pretty good about themselves at the end of it. Columbia beat Orange Park 47-33 in Wednesday’s dual, an improvement after only winning the teams’ first matchup by a point earlier this season.
Columbia receiver Marquez Bell is pictured on his visit to Cincinnati at the end of January. Bell signed his national letter of intent with the Bearcats on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

Columbia receiver Marquez Bell is pictured on his visit to Cincinnati at the end of January. Bell signed his national letter of intent with the Bearcats on Wednesday. (COURTESY)

PREP FOOTBALL: 4-star wideout Marquez Bell signs with Cincinnati; seven others ink NLOIs at CHS

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Eight football players gathered in Columbia’s gymnasium for National Signing Day. But all eyes were on 4-star receiver Marquez Bell. Following his decommittment from USF back in December, Bell remained quiet the past two months on where he would play college football.
Columbia’s Tanner Pierce dribbles the ball away from Forest’s Marlon Rodriguez during Monday’s District 2-6A quarterfinals. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Tanner Pierce dribbles the ball away from Forest’s Marlon Rodriguez during Monday’s District 2-6A quarterfinals. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS SOCCER: Forest ends Columbia's season in District 2-6A quarterfinals

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Monday, February 3, 2020
OCALA — After handing the Tigers their first home loss last month, Forest ended their season Monday.  The Wildcats took an early lead and advanced with a 4-0 shutout in the District 2-6A quarterfinals at home.
Columbia’s Kirsten Garner fights for possession of the ball with Leon’s Ashley Fink during Monday night’s District 2-6A quarterfinals. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia’s Kirsten Garner fights for possession of the ball with Leon’s Ashley Fink during Monday night’s District 2-6A quarterfinals. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

GIRLS SOCCER: Columbia falls to Leon in District 2-6A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 3, 2020
A once promising season for Columbia came to a screeching halt in Monday’s District 2-6A quarterfinals against Leon. The Lady Tigers simply couldn’t handle the offensive pressure from the Lady Lions. Aaliyah Davis scored twice while Isabel Morris and Imani Walker each netted a goal to lead No.
Columbia weightlifter Reece Chasteen lifts the bar during her clean and jerk at the Region 1-2A Meet on Saturday. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia weightlifter Reece Chasteen lifts the bar during her clean and jerk at the Region 1-2A Meet on Saturday. (JEN CHASTEEN/Special to the Reporter)

GIRLS WEIGHTLIFTING: Chasteen, Griffith receive at-large berths to state

NEWS STAFF
Monday, February 3, 2020
Columbia weightlifter Reece Chasteen received an at-large bid to the Class 2A state meet on Monday after placing second in the 199-pound weight class at the Region 1-2A meet on Saturday.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the San Francisco 49ers and winning the Super Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. (JOHN McCALL/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after beating the San Francisco 49ers and winning the Super Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. (JOHN McCALL/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS)

NFL: Mahomes, Chiefs win Super Bowl with late surge

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sunday, February 2, 2020
MIAMI GARDENS — Uncomfortable and under duress for much of the game, Patrick Mahomes suddenly recaptured his mojo and lifted Andy Reid and the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory, the team's first NFL championship in a half-century.
Twenty four hours removed from his season-high 25 points against Santa Fe, Columbia guard Kenney Gaines led all scorers Saturday with 19 points. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/LAKE City Reporter)

Twenty four hours removed from his season-high 25 points against Santa Fe, Columbia guard Kenney Gaines led all scorers Saturday with 19 points. (ZACH ABOLVERDI/LAKE City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Tigers trounce Trojans behind Gaines, Tolliver

ZACH ABOLVERDI
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Senior Kenney Gaines once again led the way, freshman Tray Tolliver caught fire and Columbia earned a running clock Saturday in a 77-49 victory over Hamilton County at home.