Sports

Columbia right fielder Brooklynn White turns to throw the ball back to the infield after a Baker County base hit during the District 3-4A championship on May 1. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Brooklynn White turns to throw the ball back to the infield after a Baker County base hit during the District 3-4A championship on May 1. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort Walton Beach walks off Columbia in Region 1-4A semifinals

JORDAN KROEGER
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
FORT WALTON BEACH — Columbia couldn’t find that clutch base hit in the seventh inning. Fort Walton Beach did. After stringing together back-to-back two-out singles, Macy Borgen laced another to lift the No. 2 seed Vikings to a 4-3 walk-off win over the No.
Lafayette’s Jordan Murphy (left) placed second in the triple jump in Class 1A while Columbia’s Omarion Udell (right) was runner-up in the 110m hurdles in Class 3A at the state meet Saturday. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

Lafayette’s Jordan Murphy (left) placed second in the triple jump in Class 1A while Columbia’s Omarion Udell (right) was runner-up in the 110m hurdles in Class 3A at the state meet Saturday. (COURTESY PHOTOS)

PREP TRACK & FIELD: Udell, Murphy bring home second-place medals at state

JAMIE WACHTER
Monday, May 12, 2025
JACKSONVILLE — Seeded to miss the podium, Columbia’s Omarion Udell spent most of Saturday's 110m hurdles race right on the edge of medaling. However, just getting a medal wasn't good enough for the CHS senior.
West Nassau catcher Vida Kersey is called for obstruction as Suwannee runner TT Hill slides into home plate for the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning of Friday’s Region 1-3A quarterfinal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

West Nassau catcher Vida Kersey is called for obstruction as Suwannee runner TT Hill slides into home plate for the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning of Friday’s Region 1-3A quarterfinal. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Suwannee edges West Nassau in extra innings to advance to Region 1-3A semis

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Friday, May 9, 2025
CALLAHAN — Suwannee’s Kirsten Yaun nearly didn’t make it. But the senior got to David Crosby Field just in the nick of time. Yaun had been taking a statewide standardized test just hours before.
Columbia outfielder Sakiya Merriex (sitting) is surrounded by teammates after signing her letter of intent to play college softball at Florida A&M on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia outfielder Sakiya Merriex (sitting) is surrounded by teammates after signing her letter of intent to play college softball at Florida A&M on Friday. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Columbia OF Sakiya Merriex signs with FAMU

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, May 9, 2025
A torn rotator cuff wasn’t going to stop Columbia outfielder Sakiya Merriex from achieving her dream of playing collegiate softball. She battled through the injury, battled back from it, and the hard work finally paid off Friday afternoon.
Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes scrambles past a defender during Thursday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee quarterback Thomas Sikes scrambles past a defender during Thursday’s practice. (JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Suwannee's offense ahead of defense this spring

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, May 9, 2025
LIVE OAK — On one hand, Suwannee appears to be further along than what it was last year during spring practice. That makes sense with the Bulldogs, who are two weeks into the spring period that ends with a 7 p.m.
Branford catcher Morgan Brennan (right) celebrates with first baseman Mallory Blue (15) following the final out of the Buccaneers' 6-0 victory over Fort White in the Region 3-R semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Branford catcher Morgan Brennan (right) celebrates with first baseman Mallory Blue (15) following the final out of the Buccaneers' 6-0 victory over Fort White in the Region 3-R semifinals on Thursday. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Branford shuts out Fort White to advance back to regional finals

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, May 8, 2025
BRANFORD — It’s not easy to beat a team three times in a season, let alone twice in a week. Yet, No. 2 seed Branford did just thanks to two big innings at the plate and a stellar pitching performance from Laila Arnold.
Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson takes off from the pocket during Thursday’s spring practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White quarterback Jayden Jackson takes off from the pocket during Thursday’s spring practice. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP FOOTBALL: Fort White focusing on filling needs this spring

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, May 8, 2025
FORT WHITE — The Indians will miss some of their leaders heading into the upcoming season. They’re hoping new ones step up in their stead.  Fort White is hoping it can reload after losing a substantial senior class from last year.
Suwannee pitcher Gracie Watley winds up for a delivery during Wednesday’s Region 1-3A quarterfinals against West Nassau. The two teams will continue play Friday after rain and lightning postponed the 0-0 tie. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee pitcher Gracie Watley winds up for a delivery during Wednesday’s Region 1-3A quarterfinals against West Nassau. The two teams will continue play Friday after rain and lightning postponed the 0-0 tie. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Region 1-3A quarterfinal postponed with Suwannee & West Nassau scoreless in sixth inning

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
CALLAHAN — Suwannee’s Gracie Watley and West Nassau’s Kelsea Bass were deadlocked in a pitcher’s duel. The two hurlers looked like they could’ve staved off the other all night.  So they did. Only mother nature’s intervention stopped the show.  The No. 6 seed Bulldogs and the No.