2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Frank Daldine, 19, a UF mechanical engineering sophomore (left) receives his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, April 5, 2021. Monday was the first day COVID-19 vaccines were made widely available to UF students.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

UF students reflect on Spring and the future of Fall

By Abigail Hasebroock | Apr. 19, 2021

As UF’s Spring semester comes to a close, students reflect on how the pandemic allowed for the opportunity to gain new abilities and navigate through HyFlex classes. They also look ahead to Fall — with some feeling apprehensive about UF’s decision to return to full, normal operations and others eager to step foot back on campus.

Gator Motorsports competes in the Formula SAE competition held annually at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

The Checkered Flag: Gator Motorsports drives all kinds

By River Wells | Apr. 19, 2021

Gator Motorsports may build race cars, but it builds people, too.

Florida improves to 9-6 (.600) in conference play and leads the SEC in home wins (23). Photo from UF-Jacksonville game March 13.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators sweep Mizzou to match season-high win streak

By Griffin Foll | Apr. 19, 2021

Following a home sweep over Missouri, the Gators look to capitalize on their winning streak during this week’s opportunistic road trip.

Screenshot of the event poster on UF Accent Speakers Bureau Facebook page.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy discusses brand success and controversies

By Manny Rea | Apr. 19, 2021

Portnoy, the last speaker in the UF Accent Speakers Bureau’s Spring lineup, joined moderator Ted Spiker, the journalism department chair, over Zoom to discuss his latest ventures.

Chris Ortega says goodbye to alligatorSports.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

How to say goodbye in 688 words

By Christian Ortega | Apr. 18, 2021

Chris Ortega says goodbye to alligatorSports.

Dylan O'Shea says goodbye to alligatorSports.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

If I had a brick

By Dylan O'Shea | Apr. 18, 2021

Dylan O'Shea says goodbye to alligatorSports.

River Wells says goodbye to alligatorSports.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Action is eloquence

By River Wells | Apr. 18, 2021

River Wells says goodbye to alligatorSports.

Pitcher Natalie Lugo throws before a game against Alabama April 18, 2021. The fifth-year senior dealt through two strikeouts during Florida's doubleheader with Ole Miss.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball loses series finale to Alabama

By Rachel Slay | Apr. 18, 2021

The Gators pulled off a series win but missed the sweep against Alabama.

The eight Gator seniors defended the ‘Diz on Senior Day with a total of 23 points.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse wins the regular season AAC Championship on Senior Day

By Karina Wilson | Apr. 18, 2021

Shannon Kavanagh boasted seven goals in the Gators 22-9 victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A month later — has UF addressed its own Asian hate?

Apr. 18, 2021

After the tragic and hate-motivated events of March 16, Asian American members of the Gator community hoped to find empathy and support from our school. That’s not what we saw.

Rivera’s three-RBI game marked a career-high for the second-year freshman. Photo from UF-Jacksonville game March 13.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators sweep Missouri in Saturday’s series-closing double-header

By Grethel Aguila | Apr. 17, 2021

Gators defeat Missouri in Saturday’s double-header to complete the series sweep.

In the final rotation, Skaggs potentially ended her career on a high-note with a 9.9375.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators crash and burn on beam at NCAA Championships

By Zachary Huber | Apr. 17, 2021

Florida stumbled in NCAA Finals and finished fourth behind National Champion Michigan, Oklahoma and Utah after an undefeated regular season.

A toxic combination of wild pitches, fielding errors and eager Florida bats quickly became Alabama’s demise.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Lindaman grand slam helps Gators clinch series against Crimson Tide

By Rachel Slay | Apr. 17, 2021

Florida softball toppled No. 3 Alabama in a decisive 9-2 victory and secured the series.

Raymond Ekevwo was honored Friday for senior night at the Tom Jones Memorial

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida plays host to Tom Jones Memorial and senior day

By Myles Herbert | Apr. 17, 2021

Florida starts well as Tom Jones Memorial gets underway.

Kendrick Calilao prepares for a pitch against Jacksonville March 14

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators hold off Tigers after three-hour rain delay

By Ryan Haley | Apr. 17, 2021

A three hour rain delay forced Florida baseball later into the night than scheduled, but a six-run third inning let them sleep on a third straight win.

Elizabeth Hightower winds up toward home plate March 3 against Florida State. The senior made her return during a doubleheader Friday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Hightower registers season-high strikeouts in win over Alabama

By Rachel Slay | Apr. 17, 2021

In a raucous rivalry match, Florida defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide Friday.

Sarah Reznick guards the net during a rainy conference affair against Vanderbilt 2021. She recorded nine saves in the quarterfinals matchup against Maryland.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse drown the Vanderbilt Commodores

By Karina Wilson | Apr. 17, 2021

Attacker Brianna Harris led the No. 10 Gators offensively in their 17-7 win over the No. 20 Vanderbilt Commodores.

Trinity Thomas performs on the bars Jan. 29 vs Missouri. The junior standout returned from a six-week absence to lead Florida into the national championship

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida clings to second place to advance to NCAA Championship

By Zachary Huber | Apr. 17, 2021

Florida finishes second in NCAA semifinal to move on to the championship. The Gators will vye for their fourth National Championship versus Michigan, Utah and Oklahoma at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and can be seen on ABC.

Gainesville singer-songwriter Grant Schaffer had already gone viral on TikTok and accumulated millions of streams on Spotify prior to releasing ‘Lovely Town.’

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Grant Schaffer moves to the ‘Lovely Town’

By Heather Bushman | Apr. 16, 2021

The Gainesville singer-songwriter offers a fresh perspective in his latest release.

A person wearing a UF sweatshirt rides past a construction site on Museum Road across from the Reitz Union on Friday, March 19, 2021. (Photo by Chasity Maynard)

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF set to build new honors residential complex

By Alexander Lugo | Apr. 16, 2021

The Gator Residential Complex, an undergraduate dormitory for honors students, will replace the Broward Outdoor Recreational Complex in 2022. UF officials don’t know when demolition will start. The complex behind Broward Hall contains tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, a skate park, a roller hockey rink and a pool.

COVID-19