sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida guard Delicia Washington turned in a season-high 23 points Monday night in a losing effort against No. 15 Missouri.

Sports

Florida’s women’s basketball team comes up short, drops third consecutive conference game

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 5, 2018

Down by two with 10 seconds remaining, Florida guard Funda Nakkasoglu circled to the right-side corner. She picked up her dribble after her defender stepped up. Five seconds left. Nakkasoglu made an outlet pass to teammate Delicia Washington, who instantly felt the presence of a Missouri player in her face. Three seconds left. Washington gave up the ball to forward Haley Lorenzen at the top of the key, who heaved a desperation three-pointer from well beyond the arc.

Florida swimming and diving head coach Gregg Troy (left) was pleased with his team's showings at the Auburn Invitational this past weekend.

Sports

Florida swimming and diving teams find success at Auburn Invitational, look ahead to SECs

By Jacob McManamon | Feb. 5, 2018

The Florida men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams completed their third day at the Auburn Invitational on Sunday.

Freshman Oliver Crawford fought off a series of match points in his doubles matchup against FSU. “He stepped up big getting us back in doubles,” coach Bryan Shelton said. “He kept us alive.”

Sports

Crawford being exposed to high-pressure tennis early in UF career

By Benjamin Brandt | Feb. 4, 2018

Alone with only the sound of music playing from his phone and the power of his imagination, freshman Oliver Crawford prepared to serve.

Redshirt junior AJ McFarland will attempt to set a school record for the third time this year at the SEC Indoor Championships in College Station, Texas.

Sports

McFarland looking ahead to SEC Championships

By Alanis Thames | Feb. 4, 2018

AJ McFarland chuckled after Friday’s meet in Baton Rouge. He had just broken a school record for the second consecutive outing — registering a mark of 21.89 meters in the weight throw — and took a moment to soak it all in.

Alex McMurtry recorded a season-low 9.225 on the balance beam Friday night against Auburn, but claimed event titles in both bars and vault, leading Florida to a victory over the Tigers.

Sports

McMurtry leads Florida past Auburn despite minor mishap

By Alana Gomez | Feb. 4, 2018

Alex McMurtry was more than ready. She had just recorded her first ever 10.0 on balance beam one week prior against No. 1 Oklahoma, making her the second UF gymnast in program history to tally a perfect score in every event.

Coach Cameron Newbauer used Florida's recent bye week as an opportunity to hit the recruiting trail.

Sports

Florida facing No. 15 Missouri tonight following bye week

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 4, 2018

For Florida women’s basketball players Haley Lorenzen and Funda Nakkasoglu, there’s one phrase that comes to mind to describe the past week.

Sports

Esports are just as interesting and competitive as traditional sports

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 4, 2018

I know nothing — I mean absolutely nothing — about video games.

Senior Anna Danilina — along with teammate Victoria Emma — defeated Florida State's Petra Hule and Andrea Garcia on Saturday in doubles competition between the Gators And Seminoles. FSU ultimately defeated UF 4-1, ending a seven-match losing streak against the in-state rival.

Sports

No. 3 Florida women’s tennis team shocked by Seminoles in Orlando

By River Wells | Feb. 4, 2018

As the scoreboard changed from five to six, Florida State’s Ariana Rahmanparast celebrated. She’d just clinched a decisive singles victory over Florida’s Katie Kubicz, ending a seven-match losing streak for the Seminoles against the Gators.

Sophomore Johannes Ingildsen won his doubles set, but ended up losing his singles matchup that included a marathon 7-6(10) first-set loss.

Sports

No. 8 Florida men’s tennis upset by No. 22 Florida State for second consecutive year

By Benjamin Brandt | Feb. 3, 2018

Fighting to save a fourth match point, freshman Oliver Crawford rushed the net only to watch the evening’s final ball soar right past him. The No. 22 Florida State men’s tennis team erupted in cheers after redshirt senior Lucas Poullain’s winning shot sealed the Seminoles’ victory over the No. 8-ranked Gators on Saturday in Orlando at the USTA National Campus. The 4-3 upset marks Florida’s (3-1) second consecutive loss to FSU (10-1).

Senior Lloydricia Cameron ran away with the shot put title at the Bayou Bengal Invitational, winning by over 2 meters.

Sports

McFarland, Gators track and field throwers set new records at Bayou Bengal Invitational

By Alanis Thames | Feb. 2, 2018

AJ McFarland planted his feet firmly onto the floor of the Carl Maddox Field House in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, spun around multiple times and threw his way to a second consecutive record-breaking performance in the men’s weight throw.

Junior Alicia Boren and the Florida gymnastics team are in St. Louis to compete in the NCAA Championships tonight at 7. Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, California and Kentucky are the other teams competing in UF's group.

Sports

Florida gymnastics gets second SEC win against Auburn

By Alana Gomez | Feb. 2, 2018

Florida's men's and women's swimming and divings teams are competing at the Auburn Invitational from Friday to Sunday

Sports

Gators swimmers set to compete at Auburn Invitational

By Jacob McManamon | Feb. 2, 2018

The Florida men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are in Alabama for their final invitational of the regular season today, the Auburn Invitational.

The Gators have lacked consistency this year. In its previous two games, Florida has been on either end of a blowout.

Sports

Worried about the Gators' recent losses? I'm not. They'll be all right.

By Skyler Lebron | Feb. 1, 2018

The Florida fan base is confused right now. And rightfully so.

The Florida gymnastics team was rattled after learning that former Team USA doctor Larry Nassar sexually abused over 265 of his patients.

Sports

Florida’s gymnasts come together over Larry Nassar scandal

By Alana Gomez | Feb. 1, 2018

When a person thinks of the word “doctor,” certain synonyms might come to mind: safety, comfort, healing. From now on, when people think of the name Larry Nassar — a man once admired and renowned by gymnasts around the world — the only image that will appear is one of pain and distrust.

Sophomore Johannes Ingildsen is ready to face Florida State again after last season’s 4-2 loss. “Everyone is fired up to get revenge,” he said.

Sports

Gators men’s tennis team faces Seminoles on Saturday in rematch of last year’s upset loss

By Benjamin Brandt | Feb. 1, 2018

Tied at 5-5 in a decisive third set, Johannes Ingildsen had a chance to keep the Gators alive.

"Everybody believed. Everybody trusted," coach Mike Holloway said.

Sports

Florida track and field teams send throwers to Louisiana for Bayou Bengal Invitational

By Alanis Thames | Feb. 1, 2018

After impressive performances from Florida’s men’s and women’s track and field teams last week at the Razorback Invitational, the Gators’ throwers are in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to compete in the Bayou Bengal Invitational today.

Senior Josie Kuhlman called Florida State “a big in-state rival” ahead of Florida’s match with the Seminoles on Saturday in Orlando. “We’re hoping for a really big crowd,” she said.

Sports

Florida women’s tennis team looking to continue dominance over Florida State

By River Wells | Feb. 1, 2018

The year is 2009. The month is February.

Vince McMahon announced last week his intention of resurrecting the XFL, a football league he founded in 2001. The league folded after one season.

Sports

Vince McMahon would like to sell you some mediocre high school football again

By Morgan McMullen | Jan. 31, 2018

Hoo, boy.

As a sophomore, pitcher Kelly Barnhill recorded the lowest ERA in the country (0.51) and the most strikeouts per seven innings (13). Her efforts earned her multiple national awards.

Sports

Kelly Barnhill ready to lead Gators on another deep run in 2018

By Mark Stine | Jan. 31, 2018

It’s just over a week until the start of the Florida softball team’s season, but if you walk up to the pool at the O’Connell Center, you just might find UF pitcher Kelly Barnhill doing laps.

Eagles starting left tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai has one of the most unique names of the players competing in Super Bowl LII.

Sports

Looking for a fun way to pass the time during Super Bowl LII? Here’s how.

By Dylan Dixon | Jan. 30, 2018

If you see eye-to-eye with me on this year’s Super Bowl matchup, you’re most likely feeling dejected and dispirited.