2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

Remembering Bob Graham: Former senator and Florida governor dies at 87

By Annie Wang | Apr. 22, 2024

Bob Graham’s enduring influence on UF is reflected in his advancement of environmental initiatives and his advocacy for public education — as well as having a playful and nurturing personality, according to those who knew him. The two-term Democratic Florida Governor, former United States Senator and UF alumnus died April 16 in Gainesville. He was 87.

Junior Sloane Blakely performs on the uneven bars in the Gators gymnastics' Hype Night on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 4 Gators fall short of gymnastics NCAA title

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Apr. 22, 2024

The No. 4 Florida Gators (29-8, 6-1 SEC) lost to the No. 2 Louisiana State Tigers (31-3, 5-2 SEC), No. 3 California Bears (20-3, 7-0 PAC-12) and the No. 5 Utah Utes (16-4, 6-1 PAC-12) as they placed fourth April 20 in the final round of the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, at Dickies Arena.

OPINION | COLUMNS

My road trip down the Avenue

By Jared Teitel | Apr. 22, 2024

Dear the Avenue, I would be lying if I said you were my dream desk from the very beginning. In fact, I actually didn’t know you existed before applying to The Alligator.

Korbe Otis does the Gator chomp before Florida softball's matchup with Oklahoma State on Feb. 20. Photo by Ryan Friedenberg

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball gets back on track, defeats South Carolina in rubber match

By Hailey Hurst | Apr. 21, 2024

After a disappointing 11-13 record in SEC play in 2023, the Gators softball team had questions to answer coming into the 2024 campaign. With an entirely new pitching staff and coach, Florida hoped to improve its worst aspect of last season.

Mahdiya Khan, Annie Farooq, Jessie Babb and Ashley Weekes listen to Taylor Swift’s new album “The Tortured Poets Department” at a listening party thrown at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Gator Swifties ‘sink into the swamp’ at 'Tortured Poets Department' listening party

By Zoey Thomas | Apr. 20, 2024

If there was a better place than the UF football stadium to hear the lyrics, “in my mind, they sink into the swamp” for the first time, Gator Swifties say it has yet to be found.

Florida junior southpaw Jac Caglianone delivers a pitch in the Gators’ 4-3 win against the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Shelnut drives in five RBI’s, helps Gators baseball avoid sweep

By Max Bernstein | Apr. 20, 2024

The win prevented Florida from being swept for the second time this season as they dropped the overall series 2-1.

Florida gymnast Sloane Blakely performs her floor routine in the Gators’ meet against the No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. UF clinched the SEC title with their victory.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 4 Gators fall short of NCAA Title

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Apr. 20, 2024

LSU came in first (198.2250), California earned second (197.8500), Utah placed third (197.8000) and Florida placed last (197.4375).

Florida softball freshman Ava Brown begins to pitch the ball in the team's loss to the LSU Tigers on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

South Carolina evens series with Florida softball

By Hailey Hurst | Apr. 20, 2024

The South Carolina Gamecocks evened the series against the Florida softball team, Saturday.

Florida women's tennis pairing of Alicia Dudeney and Malwina Rowinska high-five each other after a point in the team's match against Mississippi State on Friday, March 29, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida women’s tennis falls to Texas A&M, ends SEC Championship hopes

By Max Bernstein | Apr. 20, 2024

The No. 3-seeded Gators women’s tennis team fell in its SEC semifinal match Saturday against No. 2-seed Texas A&M.

Freshman defender Ashley Dyer takes the ball away from Florida’s net
during the Gators’ 21-4 win against the Jacksonville Dolphins, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

No. 9 Gators secure 14th consecutive win against Cincinnati

By Lacey Rogers | Apr. 20, 2024

No. 9 Florida lacrosse (14-2) took down the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-6) 18-6 Saturday afternoon.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

No. 9 Gators secure 14th consecutive win against Cincinnati

By Lacey Rogers | Apr. 20, 2024

No. 9 Florida lacrosse (14-2) took down the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-6) 18-6 Saturday afternoon.

Florida first baseman Jac Caglianone watches his home run after hitting one against the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday, April 12, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Caglianone’s record-tying home run not enough in loss to Vanderbilt

By Bennett Solomon | Apr. 19, 2024

Although Jac Caglianone hit a home run in a record-tying ninth consecutive game, the Florida baseball team fell to Vanderbilt 5-2 Friday.

Gators softball sophomore catcher Jocelyn Erickson in her swinging motion during the team's 10-0 win over the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators deliver offensive onslaught, cruise to victory over South Carolina

By Max Bernstein | Apr. 19, 2024

Florida junior left fielder Korbe Otis has cemented herself as a key cog of the Gators lineup, and she delivered another stellar performance on Friday.

Sophomore Tanapatt Nirundorn (left) and freshman Adhithya Ganesan (right) celebrate after a point in the Gators men's tennis team's match against North Florida on Friday, January 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators men’s tennis eliminated from SEC Tournament after loss to Tennessee

By Krisha Sanghavi | Apr. 19, 2024

The No. 7 Florida men’s tennis team (13-11, 6-6 SEC) fell to the No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers (22-5, 10-2 SEC) in the quarterfinal round of the SEC Tournament at the LSU Tennis Complex. The loss eliminates the Gators from the tournament.

OPINION | COLUMNS

The crucial connection between safe streets and RTS

By Casey Willits | Apr. 19, 2024

The ability to move around Gainesville safely and efficiently is key to four of the City of Gainesville’s Strategic Plan goals: A Great Place to Live & Experience, Resilient Local Economy, Equitable Community and More Sustainable Community.

Ana Lesly Bete pictured at Fame of Fadez on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

METRO | BUSINESS

Female barber navigates sexism in male-dominated space

By Sara-James Ranta | Apr. 19, 2024

In a Gainesville barbershop, colorful capes adorn each chair. Clippers buzz in the background of group conversations under a bright LED ceiling.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission approves plan for City Hall Plaza Refresh Project, GRU Authority referendum draft

By Bailey Diem | Apr. 19, 2024

At its meeting Thursday, the Gainesville City Commission approved a plan for the reconstruction of the City Hall Plaza Ponds and revisited a proposed referendum regarding the GRU Authority Board.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

UF administrator trespassed, no longer employed at university for alleged fistfight

By Alissa Gary | Apr. 19, 2024

A UF administrator was trespassed from all UF properties for three years on charges of battery after police received a complaint of a fight at a RaceTrac in Citrus County.

During the Gators women's tennis match against Baylor University on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida edges out South Carolina, advances to SEC Semifinals

By Max Bernstein | Apr. 19, 2024

Florida freshman Qavia Lopez is no stranger to pressure, and the Gators’ SEC Tournament hopes rested on her racquet on Friday morning.

Anya Pilgrim celebrates her uneven parallel bars performance during the 2024 NCAA Gymnastics Gainesville Regionals Second Round on Friday, April 5. Photo by Ryan Friedenberg

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics advances to NCAA Final

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Apr. 18, 2024

Utah placed first with an overall score of 197.9375, while UF claimed an overall score of 197.8750. Oklahoma placed third with a 196.6625 and Alabama scored a 195.4125.

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