Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | COLUMNS

UF will survive without Yeguete... for now

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 7, 2013

When February rolls around, Will Yeguete isn’t feeling the love.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Defensive tackle Bostwick chooses Florida over Miami, Alabama

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 6, 2013

PORT ST. LUCIE –– In the gymnasium at St. Lucie West Centennial High, three hats — Miami, Florida and Alabama — sat on a table in front of senior Jay-nard Bostwick. Though Bostwick appeared undecided, his mind was already made up.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators nab No. 2 overall recruit

Feb. 6, 2013

TAMPA — Vernon Hargreaves III remains uninterested in national attention, regardless of how much his play warrants it.

Junior forward Will Yeguete attempts a layup during Florida’s 78-64 win against Ole Miss on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Lack of frontcourt depth costly in loss

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 6, 2013

Will Yeguete’s night in Fayetteville, Ark., lasted less than a minute.

Florida center Vicky McIntyre (34) attempts a shot over a South Carolina defender in the O'Connell Center during Florida's 52-44 loss to South Carolina. After one season with the Gators, McIntyre will not return to UF next season.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

McIntyre turning in consistent play

Feb. 6, 2013

Two games are hardly enough to be considered a representative sample, but for Vicky McIntyre and the Gators, they were small steps in the right direction.

Junior Jonathon Crawford throws a pitch during Florida’s 9-8 victory against NC State in Game 2 of the NCAA Gainesville Super Regional on June 10, 2012, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators name No. 1 starter

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Feb. 5, 2013

One year ago, Jonathon Crawford didn’t know where he stood.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Jaguars owner raising standards

By JOE MORGAN | Feb. 5, 2013

In an effort to jettison the mediocrity fans have endured since the Jacksonville Jaguars last made the playoffs in 2007, owner Shahid Khan is changing everything.

Center Patric Young wipes his brow with a towel during a timeout in Florida’s 83-52 win against Missouri on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

No. 2 Florida suffers first double-digit loss in upset

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 5, 2013

Florida has dominated Southeastern Conference opponents this season, but it finally experienced the other end of the beating against Arkansas.

Junior Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 3-2 victory against Auburn on April 13 at Pressly Stadium. Rogers had her no-hitter reversed in a 4-1 win against Drake on Saturday. The right-hander finished the game with a one-hitter.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Junior ace working on new pitches, improving location

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Feb. 5, 2013

Hannah Rogers’ ERA in 2012 would make AL Cy Young Award winner David Price’s jaw drop. But for the Gators’ junior righty, there’s always room for improvement.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Freshman rebounding after struggling during fall season

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 5, 2013

Freshman Luke Johnson during his first semester playing college tennis.

Senior guard Kenny Boynton attempts a layup during Florida’s 78-64 win against Ole Miss on Saturday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Boynton, Murphy thriving together

By LANDON WATNICK | Feb. 4, 2013

During Florida’s 78-64 win against Ole Miss on Saturday, senior guard Kenny Boynton and senior forward Erik Murphy fed off each other’s strengths.

Junior Alaina Johnson performs her routine on the balance beam during Florida’s 196.575-190.55 victory against Ball State on Jan. 4 in the O’Connell Center. Johnson competed for the first time since Jan. 18 at the NCAA Regionals on Saturday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida battling injuries as it prepares for stretch run

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Feb. 4, 2013

Dealing with injuries is part of the gig. Replacing production, however, isn’t all that easy.

Junior forward Lily Svete (31) guards sophomore guard Kayla Nolan (20) during Florida’s 84-65 victory against Georgia State on Nov. 11 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Forward Svete shining in limited time

Feb. 4, 2013

Lily Svete is everything and nothing you would want in a forward.

Senior Billy Federhofer returns a volley during Florida’s 5-2 win against Miami on Jan. 19 at Linder Stadium. Federhofer hasn't lost a match since Feb. 9.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF blanks Furman in win

By CHRIS KIRSCHNER< | Feb. 3, 2013

Florida had shut out two opponents before facing Furman.

UF senior Lauren Embree returns a volley from Baylor sophomore Ema Burgic during the No. 1 Gators’ 7-0 win against the 15th-ranked Bears on Feb. 2. Embree has won four Southeastern Conference titles at Florida.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Senior earns 99th career singles victory, 100th doubles win

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 3, 2013

Florida senior Lauren Embree snagged her 99th career singles match victory against Baylor on Saturday, but winning was no easy feat.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators achieve three personal bests during Husker Invite

By GORDON STREISAND< | Feb. 3, 2013

Steady improvement and solid outings seem to be themes for the Gators track and field team this season.

Freshman Christian Mercer (25) attempts a shot during Florida’s 87-54 victory against Alabama on Sunday in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida snaps five-game skid with win against Alabama

Feb. 3, 2013

Poor shooting and slow starts have plagued Florida during Southeastern Conference play. Freshman Christin Mercer helped change that, ending the Gators’ five-game losing streak in the process.

Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin attempts a shot against Ole Miss forward Reginald Buckner during the Gators’ 78-64 win against the Rebels on Saturday at the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators shut down Rebels despite rival guard’s high production

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 3, 2013

Late in the first half, Ole Miss guard Marshall Henderson grabbed a pass from forward Jarvis Summers.

Senior forward Erik Murphy (33) attempts a three-point shot over Ole Miss forward Murphy Holloway (31) on Saturday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Murphy scored 19 points during Florida's 78-64 victory over Ole Miss.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Murphy helps Gators down Rebels, extend SEC lead

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Feb. 2, 2013

With Florida leading Ole Miss 50-37 at the beginning of the second half, senior Erik Murphy grabbed a defensive rebound and took off down the court. Kenny Boynton missed his jumper, Scottie Wilbekin missed from behind the arc, but Murphy’s three found nothing but net.

Florida coach Roland Thornqvist (right) congratulates junior Sofie Oyen (left) and former Gator Allie Will (back) during a match against Duke on March 14, 2012.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators earn third straight shutout of season

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Feb. 2, 2013

The No.1-ranked Florida women’s tennis team grabbed its third straight 7-0 victory to open the season, the latest coming against No.15 Baylor on Saturday.