Sports

Columbia offensive line coach Anthony Newton works with his offensive line during Monday’s practice. Newton has taken over for David May, who departed after just one spring in the job. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia offensive line coach Anthony Newton works with his offensive line during Monday’s practice. Newton has taken over for David May, who departed after just one spring in the job. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Newton takes over Columbia O-line eyeing breakout season

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Columbia now has its third offensive line coach in just the last year.Luckily for the new man in charge, head coach Brian Allen believes he has his best unit since returning in 2023.
Suwannee receiver Kamari Lovett (center) demands better effort and results from his fellow teammates during 7-on-7 drills Monday. The Bulldogs’ offense had been dominated up until that point. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee receiver Kamari Lovett (center) demands better effort and results from his fellow teammates during 7-on-7 drills Monday. The Bulldogs’ offense had been dominated up until that point. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee embracing player-led culture after one-win season

JAMIE WACHTER
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
LIVE OAK — Midway through Suwannee’s first practice, Kamari Lovett had seen enough.During 7-on-7 passing work, the Bulldogs’ defense hadn’t just been dominant, it had completely locked down the SHS offense.

BOYS SOCCER: Weatherspoon named new CHS coach

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, July 24, 2026
Columbia High is moving in a different direction with its boys soccer program. Cyril Weatherspoon will step into the role this upcoming season after Ed Turner had been in the post since May 2022. Weatherspoon was hired after Columbia did not pick up Turner for another year moving forward.
C.J. Proveax (left) has been hired as the men’s golf coach at Florida Gateway College, while Laura Kinsel (right) has been chosen to lead the women’s volleyball team. (COURTESY)

C.J. Proveax (left) has been hired as the men’s golf coach at Florida Gateway College, while Laura Kinsel (right) has been chosen to lead the women’s volleyball team. (COURTESY)

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: FGC hires women's volleyball, men's golf coaches

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Florida Gateway College has hired Laura Kinsel as its women’s volleyball coach and C.J. Proveaux as its men’s golf coach after the LCR reported last month that both programs would make their return for the 2027-28 academic year.
Columbia celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Eastside to win the Santa Fe 7-on-7 tournament on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Eastside to win the Santa Fe 7-on-7 tournament on Wednesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia goes unbeaten to win Santa Fe 7-on-7 tournament

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
ALACHUA — No one could cover receiver Kyren Caldwell.No one could beat Columbia either.Caldwell caught a 40-yard bomb for his second touchdown of the game and the Tigers then stopped a two-point conversion in the final minute to beat Eastside 15-13 to win the Santa Fe 7-on-7 tournament on Wednesday.
Columbia defensive back Monterrence Williamson breaks up a pass intended for receiver Shaheed White in 7-on-7 drills during Tuesday’s summer workout. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia defensive back Monterrence Williamson breaks up a pass intended for receiver Shaheed White in 7-on-7 drills during Tuesday’s summer workout. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia adjusting defense this summer after Allen transfer, Callum injury

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, July 10, 2026
A departure and an injury have left Columbia shuffling around its defense this summer.Rising senior cornerback Tacori Allen recently transferred to Raines while rising sophomore linebacker Quinton Callum III ruptured his patella tendon during basketball practice at the beginning of June.
Suwannee’s 2019 baseball won a regional title for the program’s Final Four appearance since 1969. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee’s 2019 baseball won a regional title for the program’s Final Four appearance since 1969. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SPORTS: Roberts, Morrison & 2019 baseball team to be inducted into Suwannee Hall of Fame

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, July 10, 2026
LIVE OAK — A drought-ending team and a pair of former professional athletes are the newest members of the Suwannee High Sports Hall of Fame.The 2019 SHS baseball team, which ended a 50-year Final Four drought, will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame on Oct.
New Columbia quarterback Amari Green throws a pass in 7-on-7 drills during Monday’s summer workout. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

New Columbia quarterback Amari Green throws a pass in 7-on-7 drills during Monday’s summer workout. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia has found new QB in transfer Amari Green

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
The transfer portal giveth and the transfer portal taketh. That’s been the case at Columbia this summer.The good news for the Tigers? They’ve found their new quarterback.
Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell turns up field after making a catch against Rickards during the Region 1-4A quarterfinals on Nov. 14, 2025. (FILE)

Columbia receiver Kyren Caldwell turns up field after making a catch against Rickards during the Region 1-4A quarterfinals on Nov. 14, 2025. (FILE)

PREP FOOTBALL: Columbia 3-star WR Kyren Caldwell commits to Maryland

JORDAN KROEGER
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Columbia rising senior receiver Kyren Caldwell had his pick of some of college football's biggest programs, but when it came time to make his decision, the answer wasn't found in national prestige.Instead, he followed a feeling he couldn't ignore.
Columbia center Ty’avious Cooper dunks against Newberry during the Tigers’ summer league finale on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia center Ty’avious Cooper dunks against Newberry during the Tigers’ summer league finale on Tuesday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS BASKETBALL: Columbia shows off improved shooting, balanced attack in successful summer

JORDAN KROEGER
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The momentum from last season’s regional final run carried right into the summer for Columbia.Over the course of 25 games, the Tigers showed off their growth, improved shooting and team defense that translated into several wins that’s built plenty of optimism heading into next season.