COVID-19 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Andy Andrade is the No. 3 freshman on Florida's depth chart, but coach Bryan Shelton expressed confidence in his young player. “I think a lot of people are going to overlook this guy,” Shelton said.

Sports

‘Don’t sleep on Andy Andrade': Freshman impresses in first week of dual match season

By Benjamin Brandt | Jan. 29, 2018

Andy Andrade wrapped his arm around his coach and smiled. He looked comfortable and confident. Volunteer assistant coach Scott Perelman had just joined Andrade on the sideline after the freshman concluded a speedy 6-0 first set win on the No. 5 singles court against South Alabama on Saturday. The two sat close on Andrade’s bench. They laughed.

Graduate transfer Paulina Hersler is posting career highs in points per game(12.2), rebounds per game(6.8) and three-point percentage (37 percent) during her time as a Gator.

Sports

Paulina Hersler paying dividends for Gators women’s basketball team this season

By Justin Ahlum | Jan. 29, 2018

Before Paulina Hersler came to UF, the graduate transfer started only two games at UCLA and averaged under 11 minutes per game. Now, at a new program under a new head coach, the forward from Sweden has shined throughout the season, playing well in the paint and stretching the floor with her ability to shoot the ball from long range.

The first Career Showcase in the newly renovated Stephen C. O'Connell Center drew in many students in January 2017. More than 250 employers showed up for the event.

University

Career Showcase to open early to allow time for metal detector check-through

By Paul | Jan. 29, 2018

The Stephen C. O’Connell Center is opening its doors 45 minutes early to UF students attending Career Showcase this week.

Taylor Tomlinson putts during the 2015 Suntrust Gator Invitational at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville.

Sports

Sierra Brooks shines in Florida debut despite Gators falling to Miami

By Chris O'Brien | Jan. 29, 2018

Going into the 18th hole of the second and final round of the Florida Challenge in Lecanto, Florida, on Monday, UF women’s golfer Sierra Brooks knew she needed to give her team a boost. In a tie for first with Miami’s Dewi Weber, Brooks slammed a shot all the way to the green to set up an eagle attempt.

The Florida Capitol Complex in Tallahassee, Florida.

University

State officials want to ban this specific method for abortion

By Sabrina Fenske | Jan. 29, 2018

Terry Sanders remembers each of the about 20 people who pleaded to elected officials not to restrict abortion.

Metro

Police: A Gainesville man thought teens messed with his car, so he pulled out a gun.

By Robert Lewis | Jan. 29, 2018

A Gainesville man confronted a group of about seven teenagers on a basketball court Sunday afternoon and shot the ground near their feet, Gainesville Police said.

From left: Shayli Patel, running for Student Body vice president, Janae Moodie, running for Student Body president and Chase Werther, running for Student Body treasurer.

University

Challenge Party announces executive ticket

By Christina Morales | Jan. 29, 2018

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Florida swimming and diving teams are competing in the Auburn Invitational this weekend after concluding their dual meet seasons against Tennessee on Friday.

Sports

Gators swimming and diving teams complete dual-meet season, look ahead to Auburn Invitational

By Jacob McManamon | Jan. 29, 2018

The dual-meet season for Florida’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams concluded in Knoxville, Tennessee, this past weekend.

Coach Mike Holloway's men's (No. 1) and women's (No. 4) indoor teams will look to capitalize on a fast start to their seasons. “We always talk about leaving your failures (and) successes in the building,” Holloway said. “Our mindset is always that we’re just trying to get better.”

Sports

Gators track and field teams climb individual rankings after success at Razorback Invitational

By Alanis Thames | Jan. 28, 2018

Florida’s No. 1 men’s and No. 5 women’s track and field teams concluded a competitive weekend at the Razorback Invitational on Friday and Saturday with some of the best times and marks in the nation.

Chris Chiozza is averaging an SEC-best 6.1 assists per game, but he showed off his scoring ability against Baylor on Saturday. “When he’s scoring on top of his facilitating, then he just goes to another level,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said.

News

Chris Chiozza has always been a consistent passer. On Saturday, he showed just how far his shooting can take him

By Jake Dreilinger | Jan. 28, 2018

Chris Chiozza dribbled to the top of the key and made a deep jump shot over Baylor's Manu Lecomte, opening Florida' scoring against the Bears on Saturday. On the ensuing possession, Chiozza stole the ball from forward Tristan Clark, sprinted down the court and found teammate Egor Koulechov for a three-pointer in transition.

Florida catcher/first baseman JJ Schwarz decided to return to school after being selected in the final three rounds of last year's MLB Draft.

Sports

Kevin O'Sullivan: UF baseball "not defending a national championship... It's a different team"

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 28, 2018

Walk by McKethan Stadium this week and listen. Really listen.

Florida’s Alex McMurtry became the first gymnast in UF history to record multiple 10.0s in one meet. “I just had to trust my gut and go for it,” she said.

Sports

Florida moving on from victory over top-ranked Oklahoma

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 28, 2018

In a sold-out O’Connell Center on Friday night, the Florida gymnastics team put on a show for its home crowd. Its efforts didn’t go to waste as the No. 5 Gators (3-1, 1-1 SEC) overcame No. 1 Oklahoma 198.150-198.125. In addition to two perfect 10.0s in one night, Florida also took first in three of its four events.

News

Living and loving with HIV: A UF alumna tells her story

By Elliott Nasby | Jan. 28, 2018

The first time Jessica Grobman told anyone about her medical secret was in sixth grade when she shared it with her middle-school best friend.

Thousands gather on the Ellipse near the back lawn of the White House at the conclusion of the Women’s March on Washington. Many of the marchers placed their posters along a few small fences to create “walls” near the White House.

University

UF students honored the Women’s March in a new way

By Madison Zizmer | Jan. 28, 2018

UF students, all in black, stood in front of a screen. Behind them played footage from the Women’s March on Washington, as they mimicked the protesters’ chants and experiences.

The Vietnamese Student Organization’s traditional dance group waved their fans for their performance on Saturday night for the organization's “Tết” celebration, or the Vietnamese New Year. They also performed with umbrellas and bamboo hats as part of the holiday tradition.

University

Vietnamese students celebrate the New Year through dance and skits

By Hannah Maggiore | Jan. 28, 2018

In traditional bright-colored dresses, about 20 Vietnamese students twirled umbrellas and spun bamboo hats Saturday night to celebrate their culture.

Metro

UPD: Seven others charged in UF parking fraud ring

By Robert Lewis | Jan. 28, 2018

Seven additional people were charged as part of a parking fraud ring that led to an arrest of a UF Transportation and Parking Services employee in March.

University

Students begin interviewing for Student Government positions

By Christina Morales | Jan. 28, 2018

For his first time running for a Student Government Senate seat, Michael McAllister’s chose to interview with the new Challenge Party.

Amol Jethwani, a 21-year-old UF political science junior, addresses the UF Student Government Senate in the Senate Chambers inside the Reitz Union. He's now running to represent the 21st District, which includes Alachua County.

University

UF student running for Florida House of Representatives

By Irfan Kovankaya | Jan. 28, 2018

If elected, a UF student would become the youngest Democrat to be in the Florida House of Representatives.

University

UF reimburses county $302,000 for Richard Spencer costs

By Jessica Giles | Jan. 28, 2018

Alachua County received full reimbursement from UF for the public safety costs accrued when Richard Spencer spoke at UF in October of last year.

A voter reads his ballot at the Hamilton County Board of Elections as early voting begins statewide, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016, in Cincinnati.

Metro

Florida voters will get the chance to vote on felon voting rights in November

By Amanda Rosa | Jan. 28, 2018

Jhody Polk was sentenced to eight years in prison for home invasion and theft in 2007.