Sports

Columbia midfielder Niki Sossie is the LCR’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

Columbia midfielder Niki Sossie is the LCR’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year. (MANDI SLOAN/Special to the Reporter)

WINTER ALL-AREA: Columbia midfielder Niki Sossie named LCR's Girls Soccer Player of the Year

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 3, 2025
When Mia Brasel injured her ankle in Columbia’s season opener, the pressure was on for someone to step up and pick up the slack left behind by last season’s leading scorer. Niki Sossie rose to the occasion. The senior midfielder orchestrated the Tigers’ attack time and time again this year.
Santa Fe left fielder Madison Crosby slides safely into home plate to score a run against Columbia on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Santa Fe left fielder Madison Crosby slides safely into home plate to score a run against Columbia on Tuesday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia falls to Santa Fe in high-octane thriller

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
All the power in the world might not have been able to stop Santa Fe’s own offensive endeavors.  Columbia’s four home runs on the night couldn’t keep up with the Class 3A No. 3 Raiders’ equally hot bats in a wild 13-11 loss Tuesday. The loss marks the third in last four games for the Class 4A No.
Columbia quarterback Mia Brasel rolls out to pass against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia quarterback Mia Brasel rolls out to pass against Suwannee on Tuesday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FLAG FOOTBALL: Columbia stuns Suwannee on Brasel's late TD pass

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Having its starting quarterback recently quit the team, along with a handful of other players, Columbia dug in and earned its first-ever flag football victory over neighboring county rival Suwannee. “As a coach, I have to be ready to coach the girls that are present,” CHS coach Anthony Perry said.
Fort White seniors Hannah LeBleu (from left), Morgan Kelly, Meloney Heagles, Kadence Compton and Carleen Torres were honored on Senior Night prior to Tuesday’s 11-0 win over Chiefland. (COURTESY)

Fort White seniors Hannah LeBleu (from left), Morgan Kelly, Meloney Heagles, Kadence Compton and Carleen Torres were honored on Senior Night prior to Tuesday’s 11-0 win over Chiefland. (COURTESY)

PREP ROUNDUP: Fort White run-rules Chiefland on Senior Night

NEWS STAFF
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Class Rural No. 5 Fort White celebrated Senior Night with an 11-1 run-rule win over Chiefland in six innings on Tuesday.
Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton is all smiles after striking out the final batter in Monday’s 7-5 win over Trenton as third baseman Hannah LeBleu cheers her on. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton is all smiles after striking out the final batter in Monday’s 7-5 win over Trenton as third baseman Hannah LeBleu cheers her on. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White comes back, takes down defending champion Trenton

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Monday, March 31, 2025
TRENTON — The defending state champs were looking to cruise to a key win over a fellow Class Rural power. In fact, Trenton nearly turned out the lights on Fort White.  Literally.
Columbia's Kyndall Norris won the javelin event at the Columbia High Invitational on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia's Kyndall Norris won the javelin event at the Columbia High Invitational on Saturday. (COURTESY)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Columbia boys & girls finish second at home meet

NEWS STAFF
Monday, March 31, 2025
Columbia High School hosted its second meet of the season on Saturday, with the boys and girls both placing second at the Columbia High Invitational. The CHS boys tallied 142 points while the girls finished with 87 behind the two Vanguard squads, which saw its boys score 246.
Columbia left fielder Sakiya Merriex jumps after crossing home plate with the game-winning run against Keystone Heights Friday night. Shortstop Lillyenne Mayhew, who had also scored on the play, celebrates alongside Merriex. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia left fielder Sakiya Merriex jumps after crossing home plate with the game-winning run against Keystone Heights Friday night. Shortstop Lillyenne Mayhew, who had also scored on the play, celebrates alongside Merriex. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia scores two on booted grounder for walk-off win over Keystone Heights

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, March 28, 2025
Needing two runs to avoid an 0-3 week, Columbia coach Joe Saucier turned to his two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh inning. Lillyenne Mayhew had a plan with Brooklynn White at the plate. “Mayhew actually said, ‘she has to put the bunt down. Let’s get the bunt down,’” Saucier said.