Sports

Columbia wrestlers Carlee Morrison, Bella Guerrier-Lajoir, Ja'Niyah Williams and Josie Raulerson qualified for the state meet following their top-four performances at the Region 1-1A IBT on Saturday. (COURTESY)

Columbia wrestlers Carlee Morrison, Bella Guerrier-Lajoir, Ja'Niyah Williams and Josie Raulerson qualified for the state meet following their top-four performances at the Region 1-1A IBT on Saturday. (COURTESY)

GIRLS WRESTLING: Four from Columbia qualify for state

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 24, 2025
PANAMA CITY — Columbia Pete Whittington was expecting at least two of his four wrestlers to qualify for the state meet, but he was hoping for all four. He got his wish.
Columbia wrestlers Jorryn Brown, Elijah Cray, Cyler Robinson, Kevin Fink, Zhane Smith and Xavier Williams qualified for the Region 1-2A IBT with top-four finishes at the District 2-2 IBT on Friday. (COURTESY)

Columbia wrestlers Jorryn Brown, Elijah Cray, Cyler Robinson, Kevin Fink, Zhane Smith and Xavier Williams qualified for the Region 1-2A IBT with top-four finishes at the District 2-2 IBT on Friday. (COURTESY)

BOYS WRESTLING: Columbia sends six on to regionals

JORDAN KROEGER
Monday, February 24, 2025
TALLAHASSEE — It wasn’t Columbia’s best effort, but it wasn’t its worst either. Considering such a young squad, coach Pete Whittington was “OK” with the Tigers’ performance at the District 2-2A IBT on Friday at Chiles High School.
Columbia right fielder Tison McCray lets out a roar at third base after hitting a triple against Bartram Trail on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia right fielder Tison McCray lets out a roar at third base after hitting a triple against Bartram Trail on Friday night. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia holds on to beat Bartram Trail in sloppy affair

JORDAN KROEGER
Friday, February 21, 2025
It was far from Columbia’s best effort. But it was just good enough. The Tigers built an 8-2 lead, then held on for dear life late to hand Bartram Trail its first loss of the season with a 10-8 victory at home Friday night.
Columbia first baseman Max Schuler races to third base during Thursday's game against Bishop Snyder. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

Columbia first baseman Max Schuler races to third base during Thursday's game against Bishop Snyder. (BRENT KUYKENDALL/Lake City Reporter)

PREP BASEBALL: Columbia's lead slips away late against Bishop Snyder

CONCEPCION LEDEZMA
Thursday, February 20, 2025
This may be one of those rare instances where a loss could turn into a coming-out game for Columbia. The Tigers, despite limited pop from the bat, managed to nurse leads of 1-0, then 2-1 for most of the game against undefeated Bishop Snyder.
Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton (24) struck out 13 batters in Thursday's 2-1 extra-innings win over Branford. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

Fort White pitcher Kadence Compton (24) struck out 13 batters in Thursday's 2-1 extra-innings win over Branford. (MORGAN MCMULLEN/Lake City Reporter)

PREP SOFTBALL: Fort White outlasts Branford in district duel

MORGAN MCMULLEN
Thursday, February 20, 2025
FORT WHITE — In the first of potentially several more matchups, the Indians outlasted last year’s state runners-up. Fort White scored a run each in the first and the last innings Thursday at John Wilson Field, just enough to break its tie with Branford in a 2-1 extra-innings win.