Sports

Fort White's Lecosta Byrd brings the bar up during the clean and jerk at the District 6-1A meet on March 28. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White's Lecosta Byrd brings the bar up during the clean and jerk at the District 6-1A meet on March 28. (PAUL BUCHANAN/Lake City Reporter)

BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING: Byrd, Dimauro and McCrory win regional titles for Fort White

JAMIE WACHTER
Friday, April 4, 2025
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS — Fort White realized one goal at Friday’s Region 2-1A meet at Keystone Heights. Two team goals, though, slipped through the Indians’ grasp. Fort White senior Lecosta Byrd, one of three Indians to win individual titles at the meet, tied a state record for 219 pounds in the snatch.
Suwannee pitcher Gracie Watley winds up to pitch against Lafayette on March 20. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

Suwannee pitcher Gracie Watley winds up to pitch against Lafayette on March 20. (JACK HOWDESHELL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP ROUNDUP: Suwannee holds off North Florida Christian in softball

NEWS STAFF
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Despite giving up two runs in the seventh inning, Gracie Watley held off North Florida Christian to deliver Suwannee’s softball team a 6-4 road win Thursday night. Watley only allowed one earned run on eight hits and a walk while striking out six.
Columbia right fielder Brooklynn White strikes out during Thursday's 8-0 loss to Trenton. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Brooklynn White strikes out during Thursday's 8-0 loss to Trenton. (JORDAN KROEGER/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Trenton shuts out Columbia behind Allaire's one-hitter

JORDAN KROEGER
Thursday, April 3, 2025
TRENTON — It all started with a walk. Instead of making it out of the inning unscathed, Kinley King never made it out at all. Class Rural No. 7 Trenton struck for seven runs off King in the first inning — all coming with two outs — and went on to cruise to an 8-0 win over Class 4A No.
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.