Sports

Columbia third baseman Alex Collins reaches first base after hitting a single against Baker County on April 17. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia third baseman Alex Collins reaches first base after hitting a single against Baker County on April 17. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Seeding set for district tournaments

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, April 25, 2025
The FHSAA released new rankings Thursday to seed next week’s district tournaments. Here’s where, and who, the area teams will play and where they sit in their respective playoff races as the season winds down. DISTRICT 3-4A At Baker County Schedule: April 29, semifinals: 1-seed Baker County vs.
The Suwannee baseball team celebrates with coach Billy Moran out front after the Bulldogs’ 6-5 win over Baldwin in a decisive Game 3 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

The Suwannee baseball team celebrates with coach Billy Moran out front after the Bulldogs’ 6-5 win over Baldwin in a decisive Game 3 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee rallies past Baldwin in Game 3 to advance to Region 1-3A semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, April 24, 2025
JACKSONVILLE — Suwannee coach Billy Moran said Thursday’s rubber match with Baldwin was exactly what you want in a great baseball game. Drama, lead changes and heroic acts weren’t in short supply.
Columbia pitcher Nolan Slaymaker celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off double against Mosley in Game 1 of the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia pitcher Nolan Slaymaker celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off double against Mosley in Game 1 of the Region 1-5A quarterfinals on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Slaymaker's walk-off double in extras lifts Columbia past Mosley in Game 1 of Region 1-5A quarterfinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
No moment is too big for Nolan Slaymaker. First, the freshman worked out of a two-man-on jam in the top of the eighth inning. Then, he delivered his team a series lead with one swing of the bat.
Suwannee defensive back Jessica Tran (1) celebrates with teammates Kayla Frederick-Woods (2), Alaira Handy (8) and Miranda Ramsey (7) after scoring on a pick-6 against Santa Fe during the Region 1-1A quarterfinals on Wednesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee defensive back Jessica Tran (1) celebrates with teammates Kayla Frederick-Woods (2), Alaira Handy (8) and Miranda Ramsey (7) after scoring on a pick-6 against Santa Fe during the Region 1-1A quarterfinals on Wednesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FLAG FOOTBALL: Suwannee holds on to beat Santa Fe in Region 1-1A quarterfinals

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
LIVE OAK — Jessica Tran did a tightrope act down the home sideline at Langford Stadium. At the end of that run was a destination she and her teammates had never been. No. 5 seed Suwannee avenged a 6-0 overtime regular-season loss against No.
Columbia's J'Liyn Smith won the 400m at the District 3-3A meet on Tuesday. (COURTESY)

Columbia's J'Liyn Smith won the 400m at the District 3-3A meet on Tuesday. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Norris, Smith win district titles for Columbia

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
ORANGE PARK — In was a tough day overall for the Columbia girls squad, but not for Kyndall Norris and J’Liyn Smith. Norris brought home the District 3-3A title in the javelin (30.96m) while Smith won the 400m crown (59.45) to lead the Tigers on Tuesday at Orange Park.
The Suwannee girls track and field team placed second at the District 2-2A meet on Tuesday. Pictured are coach Brian Bullock (from left), Montana Lewis, Ryleigh Hermanson, Arwen Haley, Olivia Hermanson, Madison Chamberlain, Jo’Keria McMullen, Kennedy Jennings and coach Twon Williams. (COURTESY)

The Suwannee girls track and field team placed second at the District 2-2A meet on Tuesday. Pictured are coach Brian Bullock (from left), Montana Lewis, Ryleigh Hermanson, Arwen Haley, Olivia Hermanson, Madison Chamberlain, Jo’Keria McMullen, Kennedy Jennings and coach Twon Williams. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Suwannee girls finish runner-up at District 2-2A meet

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — Much like she has all season, Ryleigh Hermanson kept winning at Tuesday’s District 2-2A meet.
Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton celebrates at home plate with her teammates after hitting a two-run home run during Tuesday's 3-1 win over Suwannee. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton celebrates at home plate with her teammates after hitting a two-run home run during Tuesday's 3-1 win over Suwannee. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Compton leads Fort White past Suwannee with her arm & bat

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
FORT WHITE — A rematch of an earlier pitcher’s duel produced roughly the same score. Only this time, Kadence Compton and Class Rural No. 6 Fort White wouldn’t be denied revenge.
Baldwin's Turner Farah celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run while Suwannee catcher Grayson Bonds looks on during Game 2 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Baldwin's Turner Farah celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run while Suwannee catcher Grayson Bonds looks on during Game 2 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals on Tuesday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Baldwin batters Suwannee to force decisive game in Region 1-3A quarterfinals

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
LIVE OAK — Baldwin righthander Max Gallagher is not even close to the caliber of pitcher Suwannee has faced during its 12-game winning streak. He's not even Baldwin's best pitcher.