Sports

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.
Branford's Victoria Swain makes contact with a pitch against Crystal River on March 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford's Victoria Swain makes contact with a pitch against Crystal River on March 18. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Bates, Swain lead Branford past Bell

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Payten Bates went 3 for 4 with a triple and three RBIs while Victoria Swain also drove in three runs on a 2-for-4 night to lead Class Rural No. 3 Branford to an 8-1 win over Bell at home Tuesday night.
Branford runner Alex Whitfield races to the finish line to win the 100m title at the District 5-1A meet on Saturday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Branford runner Alex Whitfield races to the finish line to win the 100m title at the District 5-1A meet on Saturday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Whitfield leads Branford with 4 titles at District 5-1A meet

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
GAINESVILLE — The goal for the Branford girls heading into Saturday's District 5-1A meet was to compete for second place. Instead, the Buccaneers challenged host Oak Hall for the district title, racking up 216 points to finish as runner-up to Oak Hall's 228 in a dominant two-team performance.
Suwannee right fielder Kyler Watson celebrates with teammates Gabe Garcia (11) and Jace Moran (9) after hitting a three-run home run against Baldwin in Game 1 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals on Monday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee right fielder Kyler Watson celebrates with teammates Gabe Garcia (11) and Jace Moran (9) after hitting a three-run home run against Baldwin in Game 1 of the Region 1-3A quarterfinals on Monday. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Suwannee pulls away from Baldwin in Game 1 of Region 1-3A quarterfinals

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Monday, April 21, 2025
LIVE OAK — Unlike consecutive wins No. 10 and 11, when Suwannee run-ruled the first postseason opponents in districts, the Bulldogs were met with a Baldwin team that fought back. After having their early 4-0 lead wiped out, the No.
Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton watches her home run leave the park against Branford on March 10. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton watches her home run leave the park against Branford on March 10. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Compton, Mills lead Fort White past Chiefland

NEWS STAFF
Monday, April 21, 2025
Kadence Compton and Sydnee Mills both homered, and Compton pitched a two-hitter to lead Class Rural No. 6 Fort White to a 7-0 shutout over Chiefland on the road Monday night. Mills finished with three RBIs on a 1-for-2 night, while Compton went 3 for 4 and drove in two runs.