Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Junior defender Caroline May is beginning to see her playing time increase this season after recovering from a gruesome knee injury.

SPORTS | FEATURES

MAY’S DAY: UF lacrosse player overcomes pair of injuries

By Tyler Nettuno | Mar. 29, 2018

Caroline May felt devastated as she lay on the ground.

Former Gator and two-time Olympic gold medalist Christian Taylor competed Thursday in Day 1 of the Pepsi Florida Relays.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators welcome back alumni in Day 1 of Florida Relays

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 29, 2018

Immediately following his second place finish in the men’s 400 meter, Christian Taylor made his way across the blue track at James G. Pressly Stadium and found coach Mike Holloway.

Coach Roland Thornqvist and the Gators have won 10 of their previous 11 matches after Thursday night's victory over Arkansas.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF defeats Arkansas 4-1 in return to Gainesville

By River Wells | Mar. 29, 2018

Freshman Katie Kubicz was on autopilot.

UF third baseman Jonathan India's solo home run jump-started the Gators' offense on a 3-2 win against Jacksonville at the Gainesville Regional. His solo home run was one of three for Florida on the night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

As Florida’s offense cools, India heats up with No. 8 Vanderbilt coming to town

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 29, 2018

It wasn’t long ago that Florida’s offense was smacking hits and spitting homers at the same rate you’d see in a video game. It wasn’t long ago that five Gators were hitting over .300. It wasn’t long ago that UF’s entire offense was feared as a national menace.

Coach Roland Thornqvist said he isn't taking the Thursday matchup with 5-11 Arkansas lightly.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis team set to face Arkansas for first of three matches over a four-day span

By River Wells | Mar. 28, 2018

So far this season, the Arkansas women’s tennis team is 5-11 overall, only has one win in SEC play and is on a current six-match losing streak.

Florida defensive lineman Taven Bryan gets instruction from Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Marinelli during UF's pro day on Wednesday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Bryan impresses at Pro Day, Elam and Callaway fight for second chance

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 28, 2018

After the 40-yard dashes and shuttle runs were over, all eyes turned to the south end zone of Florida’s Indoor Practice Facility where UF defensive lineman Taven Bryan stood with Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.

Caeleb Dressel struggled at the Philipps 66 on Wednesday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Dressel the most dominant athlete in Florida history

By Benjamin Brandt | Mar. 28, 2018

My 14-year-old sister is really good at rolling her eyes.

Senior Aleshia Ocasio tossed her second career no-hitter Wednesday night against FIU.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Ocasio throws no-hitter, Florida shut out for first time in 2018 as Gators split doubleheader with FIU

By Mark Stine | Mar. 28, 2018

With one swing of the bat, Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium fell into a stunned silence.

Coach Mike Holloway sent two Gators track athletes to compete Wednesday afternoon in Texas.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Amanda Froeynes and Nikki Stephens compete at Texas Relays

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 28, 2018

The majority of Florida’s track and field athletes are in Gainesville this week preparing for the Pepsi Florida Relays at the Percy Beard Track.

Kelly Barnhill leads the nation in hits allowed per seven innings pitched.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball to play in Florida International doubleheader tonight

By Mari Faiello | Mar. 28, 2018

If you were looking for All-American pitcher Kelly Barnhill on the day of a Florida softball game, the obvious place to search for her would be Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

UF sprinter Kunle Fasasi has followed his dream from his hometown in Nigeria to Gainesville.

SPORTS | FEATURES

GETTING ON TRACK: Sprinter Kunle Fasasi thriving at UF

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 27, 2018

The beat of Lil Wayne’s “6 Foot 7 Foot” fades to silence as Kunle Fasasi wraps his earbuds around his iPhone. He places them inside his orange and blue backpack, whispers a quick prayer and jogs over to Lane 6 inside Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium.

Marcell Harris celebrates during Florida's 38-28 loss against Tennessee on Sept. 24, 2016, at Neyland Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Former UF players hoping to impress NFL teams at pro day

By Andrew Huang | Mar. 27, 2018

Eighteen former Florida football players will have the chance to impress NFL scouts this morning at UF’s annual pro day.

The NFL Rules Committee recently passed a couple of new policies to be instituted during the upcoming season.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

NFL takes a step in the right direction on Tuesday regarding player safety

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 27, 2018

It’s about time.

Right fielder Wil Dalton drove in the winning runs in Florida's 3-1 victory over Missouri on Friday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators squeak by ‘Noles in second matchup of season

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 27, 2018

Right fielder Wil Dalton took a modest lead off of second base in the bottom of the fourth inning. After smacking a ball down the left-field line and into the corner, the precious scoring opportunity could’ve been the only one Florida would have for the rest of the game, for all he knew.

Florida coach Bryan Shelton said freshman Oliver Crawford is fitting in quickly with his new team. “He’s as comfortable with the coaches as he is with his teammates and friends," Shelton said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Crawford’s bond with coaches leading to success in SEC play

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 27, 2018

Oliver Crawford walked out of coach Bryan Shelton’s office after the Florida men’s tennis team’s victory over Arkansas on Sunday.

Florida catcher JJ Schwarz was 2-for-17 from the plate in the past week.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball team’s over- and underachievers: Week of March 19 to March 25

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 27, 2018

After winning a three-game series over then-No. 4 Arkansas this past weekend in Gainesville, the No. 2 Gators (21-5, 4-2 SEC) are preparing to face No. 7 Florida State on Tuesday night at 6 in Jacksonville.

Coach Geno Auriemma and the UConn Huskies have won six of the last nine NCAA Women's Basketball Championships.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Y’all, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament is about to be awesome

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 26, 2018

Three wins by a combined four points. Winning every game as the underdog. Sister freaking Jean.

Designated player Jordan Matthews drove in three runs in Florida's 7-3 win over Texas A&M on Monday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators complete sweep of No. 8 Texas A&M

By Mark Stine | Mar. 26, 2018

“Now here’s a little something that needs to be heard.”

Florida's gymnastics team is heading to Pennsylvania for the regional round of the NCAA Championships.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators to travel to Pennsylvania for NCAA Regional Championships

By Alana Gomez | Mar. 26, 2018

After finishing in third place at the SEC Championships on Saturday, the No. 5 Gators gymnastics team is hoping to redeem itself at the NCAA Regional Championships on April 7. The field for the event was announced on Monday afternoon by the NCAA.

Gary Smith has covered topics from Muhammad Ali to segregation in football.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Sports reporting has become shallow

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 26, 2018

I’m pretty sure I’ve written some variation of this column every semester for as long as I’ve been writing columns at the Alligator, but it’s a topic that really touched me this weekend.