2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

How much difference will advances in science make?

Feb. 8, 2015

Life is full of unexpected happenings, and many people have been quoted at the end of their lives about the things they regret not doing. Wouldn’t you love to know how much life we have left? It’s amazing — or terrifying, depending on where you stand — that science is actually getting close to being able to determine how long each of us will live.

Eli Carter dribbles during Florida's 68-61 loss to No. 1 Kentucky on Feb. 7 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators keep it close, but ultimately lose to No. 1 Kentucky

By GRAHAM HALL | Feb. 7, 2015

The Gators almost did the unthinkable.

Left-hander Delanie Gourley pitches during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Pitchers, freshmen carry Florida softball to doubleheader sweep in Tampa

By Luis Torres | Feb. 7, 2015

Aleshia Ocasio couldn’t have asked for a better start to her Florida career.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Stipe Zunic shatters shot put record in final day of Virginia Tech Elite

By Kyle Brutman | Feb. 7, 2015

Senior thrower Stipe Zunic began Saturday’s events for the Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams in record-breaking fashion at the Virginia Tech Elite.

Sophomore midfielder Mollie Stevens runs down the field during UF's 17-11 loss to UNC on Saturday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse falls to UNC in season opener

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Feb. 7, 2015

For the second straight year, North Carolina was able to upend Florida in the Gators’ season opener. This time, however, Florida can take with it a bit more confidence heading into the regular season than in years past.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

UF Field athletes start on high note at Virginia Tech invite

By Kyle Brutman | Feb. 7, 2015

The Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams kicked off the Doc Hale Virginia Tech Elite with a trio of throwers competing in the men’s and women’s weight throw.

Lauren Haeger swings during Florida’s 2-0 win against Ole Miss on March 9 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball routs Hampton in season-opening win

By Patrick Pinak | Feb. 6, 2015

Florida softball was firing on all cylinders in its season opener against Hampton as the Gators run ruled the Lady Pirates by a score of 17-0 in five innings Friday afternoon in Tampa at the USF Softball Classic.

Ericha Fassbender performs on the balance beam during UF's win against Georgia.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF gymnastics tops Arkansas for first road victory

By GRAHAM HACK | Feb. 6, 2015

The Gators notched their first conference road win Friday night without relying on their usual stars.

From left, Rece Davis, Jay Williams, Seth Greenberg and Jay Bilas broadcast from John Paul Jones Arena during ESPN College GameDay on Jan. 31 in Charlottesville, Virginia.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

College Gameday analyst has connection with UF’s Dorian Finney-Smith

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Feb. 6, 2015

ESPN College Gameday’s Seth Greenberg has experience with Florida’s Dorian Finney-Smith. The Gators most consistent scorer was once a member of Greenberg’s Virginia Tech Hokies team, averaging 6.3 points per game starting in 30 of 33 games and earning Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 2012.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Fire in Gainesville apartment complex ruled arson

By EMILY COCHRANE< | Feb. 5, 2015

Two people were arrested early Thursday for reported insurance fraud and are being investigated in possible connection with a fire at a Gainesville apartment complex.

A group of UF students from Dr. Steven Johnson’s Wildlife of Florida class pet a manatee at Three Sisters Springs on Crystal River on Jan 23. Students learned first-hand that some manatees approach humans in order to be scratched and rubbed.

METRO

Springs see sea cow surplus, remind visitors of regulations

By Karlyn Marcy | Feb. 5, 2015

The state of Florida is saying mooooove over for sea cows, which swarmed a state spring on Monday.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College receives $5,000 Google grant for new computer course

By Hunter Williamson | Feb. 5, 2015

Two Santa Fe College professors recently received a $5,000 grant from Google for a new computer programming course aimed at making computer science interesting and inclusive to more students.

One of the six sculptures containing bicycle remains that line Depot Avenue as seen on Wednesday afternoon. The sculptures are in remembrance of a fatal 1996 collision that left two dead.

METRO

Local biking community to restore Depot Ave memorial in honor of fallen cyclists

By Carla Vianna | Feb. 5, 2015

Six chunks of rock rise from the ground on Southeast Depot Avenue near the Rail-Trail Bike Path, each embedded with the remains of six smashed bicycles involved in a fatal accident almost two decades ago.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Jumpers bringing Florida track and field to new heights

By Kyle Brutman | Feb. 5, 2015

The No.1/2 Florida men’s and women’s track and field teams have been able to find success across the board thus far in the 2015 indoor season, but the athletes that are catching the most eyes throughout the country are Florida’s jumpers.

Samantha and Charlotte, a pair of white-faced capuchin monkey sisters, sit above their owner, 61-year-old Kari Bagnall, in the Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary on Tuesday afternoon.

METRO

A Gainesville woman's monkey business

By Carla Vianna | Feb. 5, 2015

Although the surrounding monkey walkways hang no more than 5 feet above the ground, Kari Bagnall doesn’t have to duck. Mud splatters from her rain boots as she weaves her way through a maze of cages, trees and hanging metal walkways.

Kelsey Stewart bats during Florida's 7-6 win against Auburn on April 5 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Stewart finished her sophomore season with a team-best .438 batting average while setting UF's single-season record for hits (102) and tying her record for stolen bases (36).

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Junior ready to take charge as UF softball opens season today

By Luis Torres | Feb. 5, 2015

Every once in a while, there is an athlete who goes into a program and becomes an impact player from the get-go.

Gordon Watson (right) high fives teammate Diego Hidalgo (left) during a doubles match in Florida's 9-3 win against William & Mary on Friday at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis faces FSU today

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Feb. 5, 2015

After last weekend, the Florida men’s tennis team made it clear that a ranking is just a number.

Sammi Burgess (2) drives to the net during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Burgess chose UF over several different schools.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Young UF lacrosse team opens season Saturday

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Feb. 5, 2015

In sports, the beginning of a season is refreshing for a team.

Billy Donovan looks down the court during Florida's 57-56 win against Arkansas on Saturday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Donovan hopes Florida shows up against No. 1 Kentucky

By GRAHAM HALL | Feb. 5, 2015

Following Florida’s 67-61 loss to a Vanderbilt team that had lost seven straight Southeastern Conference games, Michael Frazier II said that the team "didn’t come out with any passion or energy."

Rachel Spicer performs a balance beam routine during Florida's win against Auburn on Friday in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics heads to Arkansas, looks to senior for consistency

By GRAHAM HACK | Feb. 5, 2015

When the Gators need awe-inspiring, they rely on Kytra Hunter.

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