2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Wearing a green silk scarf gifted to her by a student, Vassiliki Betty Smocovitis pulls a book from the shelf in her office, located in Carr Hall, Friday, March 31, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

UF history professor appointed to prestigious national science board

By Alissa Gary | Apr. 3, 2023

As one of the organization’s newest board members, Smocovitis will serve four years, traveling four times a year to various U.S. cities for meetings. Her work starts in April, when the board will meet in Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, colleagues nominated Smocovitis, a longtime AAAS member and officer, to run for the board. Although she’s been an officer with the organization for more than 25 years, she was surprised to be nominated, she said, because she is, first and foremost, a historian.

Florida guard Nina Rickards helps fellow UF guard KK Deans stand up during the Gators’ 90-79 loss to the Louisiana State Tigers Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Nina Rickards carries New York roots through Florida career

By Topher Adams | Apr. 3, 2023

Rickards capped off her fourth season with the Florida Gators March 27. She was one of two players on this past year’s team who spent all four years in Gainesville, and Rickards surpassed 1,000 career points.

About 100 people gathered at the WARPhaus to condemn prisoner solidarity and UF’s censorship at the Burn It Down: Communications of Resistance Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS

4Most Gallery fields smashed windows, pressure from UF

By Allessandra Inzinna | Apr. 3, 2023

Broken glass littered the sidewalk outside 4Most Gallery March 27 after someone threw rocks through the window. Inside, a painting of a blazing jailhouse set against a natural scene showcased the exhibition’s goal: a society without prisons.

Florida senior John DuBois lines up a putt at the Vystar Credit Union Gators Invitational Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf finishes the season the way it started

By Madilyn Destefano | Apr. 2, 2023

The No. 12-ranked Florida men’s golf team traveled to Augusta, Georgia, to compete in the Augusta Haskins Award Invitational. The Gators took a five-shot lead into Sunday and finished in first by 12 shots to score 39-under-par.

Sophomore Leanne Wong performs her floor routine in Session II of the SEC Championship in Duluth, Georgia Saturday, March 18, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators finish in second and advance to NCAA Semifinals

By Jori Rzepecki | Apr. 2, 2023

The No. 2 Florida Gators (22-2, 6-1 SEC) competed in the NCAA Pittsburgh Regional Final Round Friday against the No. 7 California Golden Bears (17-2-2, 4-1-2 PAC-12), the No. 10 Michigan State Spartans (24-4, 8-1 Big 10) and the No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils (7-6, 4-3 PAC-12).

Catcher Luke Heyman celebrates with his teammates after he hit a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth in a 17-8 victory against the Auburn Tigers Sunday, April 2, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Offensive avalanche gives No. 3 Florida series win over Auburn

By Ethan Eibe | Apr. 2, 2023

Heyman emptied the bases with a grand slam to left field. His eight RBI was just a slice of the offensive pie in No. 3 Florida’s 17-8 win against the Auburn Tigers Sunday afternoon at Condron Ballpark.

Florida sophomores Bente Spee (left) and Alicia Dudeney (right) compete in their doubles match during the Gators' 4-1 win over the Michigan Wolverines Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

No. 16 Gators survive potential upset at home against No. 54 Razorbacks

By Luke Adragna | Apr. 2, 2023

The No. 16 Florida Gators (13-4, 7-2 SEC) bested the No. 54 Arkansas Razorbacks (9-10, 3-7 SEC) 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. The Gators got off to a slow start in doubles play but recovered in closely contested performances across multiple courts in singles play.

Florida third baseman Charla Echols swings her bat during the Gators' 8-0 win against the Stetson Hatters Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 11 Gators shut out by South Carolina to lose weekend series

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Apr. 2, 2023

The No. 11 Florida Gators (26-9, 4-5 SEC) lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks (26-9, 3-6 SEC) 3-0 Sunday afternoon at Columbia Softball Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Gainesville sexual offender arrested on felony registration failures

By Aidan Bush | Apr. 2, 2023

Edward Deon Cain, 64, faces a total of nine felony charges: one count of failure of a sexual predator to report a change in vehicles owned, one count of failure of a sexual predator to report a change in cellular telephone number, two counts of failure of a sexual predator to register an internet identifier and five counts of providing false sexual predator registration information.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Harn Museum hosts discussion with NYU professor Deborah Willis on Black art history

By Ben Crosbie | Apr. 2, 2023

Posing Beauty is now on display at the Harn Museum of Art, located at 3259 Hull Road, and will remain there until June.

Florida catcher BT Riopelle jogs to first base during the Gators' 10-1 loss to the Auburn Tigers Friday, March 31, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida cruises past Auburn behind season-high in hits

By Topher Adams | Apr. 1, 2023

The No. 3 Florida Gators (23-5, 6-2 SEC) defeated the Auburn Tigers (18-8-1, 3-5 SEC) 12-5 Saturday night at Condron Ballpark. UF set a new season-high with 19 hits.

Florida redshirt junior Jalen Chance jumps during the Pepsi Florida Relays Friday, March 31, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators show competition who runs Gainesville during first home meet of outdoor season

By Namari Lock | Apr. 1, 2023

Florida’s track and field teams took the podium 25 times during the two-day home meet. Having earned 10 gold medals, the Gators were more than comfortable at the Pepsi Florida Relays.

Florida infielder Reagan Walsh swings her bat during the Gators' 3-0 win against the Central Florida Knights Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 13 Gators even series against South Carolina

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Apr. 1, 2023

The No. 13 Florida Gators (26-8, 4-4 SEC) blew past the South Carolina Gamecocks (25-9, 2-6 SEC) Saturday afternoon at Carolina Softball Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

Florida freshman Jonah Braswell hits the ball in his doubles match during the Gators' 6-1 win against the Arkansas Razorbacks Friday, March 24, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

No. 19 Gators fall short in comeback attempt against No. 25 Aggies

By Eitan Ohana | Apr. 1, 2023

The No. 19 Florida Gators (10-8, 5-3 SEC) lost to Texas A&M (12-8, 5-3 SEC) 4-3 Saturday evening in College Station.

Florida attacker Danielle Pavinelli looks for a pass during the Gators' 14-13 loss to the No. 6 Maryland Terrapins Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators outlast Quakers in ranked battle

By Kate Wiggins | Apr. 1, 2023

The No. 8 Florida Gators (8-3) beat the No. 23 Penn Quakers (5-5) 17-13 Saturday afternoon. The Quakers followed the Gators footsteps closely and tied the game three separate times.

Florida graduate student Trinity Thomas performs her balance beam routine during the Gators' win at the Southeastern Conference Championships Saturday, March 18, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Thomas listed as day-to-day after injury

By Jori Rzepecki | Mar. 31, 2023

She left the meet halfway through her floor routine. Florida gymnastics confirmed Thomas has a lower right-leg injury and is now going day-by-day.

Florida pitcher Brandon Sproat pitches the ball during the Gators' 10-1 loss to the Auburn Tigers Friday, March 31, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Sproat’s short outing spells disaster in Gators’ blowout loss to Auburn

By Ethan Eibe | Mar. 31, 2023

Brandon Sproat glanced toward the Gators dugout as his head coach, Kevin O’Sullivan, emerged from the top step.

Florida freshman Kayla DiCello performs her floor routine during the Gators' win at the Southeastern Conference Championships Saturday, March 18, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators finish in first and progress to next round of NCAA Pittsburgh Regionals

By Jori Rzepecki | Mar. 31, 2023

The No. 2 Florida Gators (12-1, 6-1 SEC) competed in the NCAA Pittsburgh Regional Second Round Friday against No. 15 Arizona State (7-6, 4-3 PAC-12), No. 24 Maryland (17-8, 2-7 Big-10) and Penn State (11-9, 3-6 Big-10).

Florida pitcher Lexie Delbrey pitches the ball during the Gators' 3-0 win against the Central Florida Knights Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 11 Florida ran out of juice in comeback against Gamecocks Friday

By Brandon Hernandez | Mar. 31, 2023

The No. 11 Florida Gators lost to the South Carolina Gamecocks at Beckham Field in Columbia, South Carolina, 13-10 Friday. Despite recording 10 runs off nine hits, the Gators allowed eight hits, five walks and two innings with three or more runs scored.

Florida freshman Rachel Gailis serves the ball during the Gators' 4-1 win against the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

No. 16 Gators keep on rollin’

By Luke Adragna | Mar. 31, 2023

The No. 16 Florida Gators (12-4, 6-2 SEC) pounced the Missouri Tigers (10-11, 1-8 SEC) 7-0 Friday evening at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex. The Gators were hot from the jump; they convincingly stole the doubles point and kept up the pace for the remainder of the match to clinch the Southeastern Conference match win.

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