The difference between a tough loss and a series sweep: about 5 feet.
With wind whipping and fans cheering, Santa Fe College (19-15, 8-4 Mid-Florida Conference) was unable to walk away with a victory Saturday against Lake Sumter Community College, falling to the Lakers 13-10.
Junior swimmer Shaune Fraser ended the season strong.
Junior center fielder Matt den Dekker had always been a do-it-all player in his first two seasons at UF, but coach Kevin O'Sullivan has managed to find new ways for the preseason All-American to make an impact on the team.
For what most considered to be a meaningless game during the middle of the NCAA Tournament, the scene in the UF locker room looked like anything but.
Preseason predictions usually result in meaningless blather.
It's no secret that the Gators have been looking forward to this weekend since the season started.
A national title, NCAA, NCAA Meet and UF record from senior Bradley Ally in the 200-yard individual medley and five broken UF records highlighted day one of the 2009 NCAA Championships for the Gators. UF resides in fourth place (107 points) following the first day of competition from the Student Rec Center Natatorium in College Station, Texas. Texas (171), Auburn (141), Stanford (130), UF (107) and California (103) round out the top five teams after day one.
This weekend, when the UF men's track and field team competes for the first time since its second-place finish in the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 14, there will be a new yet familiar face looking to contribute on the track for UF: Jeff Demps.
It should be labeled "The Thriller at Linder."
After losing a home doubleheader earlier in the week, the Santa Fe College softball team redeemed itself, sweeping a doubleheader with Lake Sumter Community College on Thursday.
Two years ago, when linebacker Brandon Siler and safety Reggie Nelson decided to leave early for the NFL, UF coach Urban Meyer remembers seeing "red flags."
Senior swimmer Rex Tullius has a positive mindset for the next three days.
Tim Tebow found himself in an unfamiliar position when the Gators opened practice Wednesday.
In 2008, the Gators had national-championship aspirations while winning the Southeastern Conference, but after the season, the team, which was full of seniors, was dismantled.
Almost two months after being kicked off UF's baseball team, Stephen Locke was officially allowed back on the team Tuesday.
For the UF gymnastics team, travel isn't all business en route to the next meet. There is certainly some leisure to be found.
With three players listed as catchers in the starting lineup, it's no surprise offense gave way to pitching and defense in UF's Tuesday night matchup with North Florida (9-15) in Jacksonville.
The Gators' season and senior Walter Hodge's career came to an end Tuesday night.
Fast starts haven't been one of the Gators' strengths this season.
Solutions by The State News
