1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | EDITORIALS

The 2020 election is breaking records already

Feb. 10, 2019

American women received the right to vote in 1920, and exactly 100 years later, the 2020 election is breaking records for women. Sen. Amy Klobuchar from Minnesota became the sixth Democratic woman to put in her bid for the Democratic presidential nominee when she announced her candidacy on Sunday. She follows Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, along with Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and author Marianne Williamson. Collectively, they’re making this upcoming presidential race the first in history to have that many women running at one time for the Democratic presidential nomination.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Young women must stop seeking male validation

Feb. 10, 2019

Part of young adulthood is marked by a craving for intimacy and acceptance. You can see people forming connections, romantic or otherwise, anywhere on a college campus. Couples sit together in the library and new people strike up conversation in Midtown. It’s common to want to make new connections. But too often, there is a lot of emphasis on gaining validation from people whose validations are not particularly remarkable. This is especially common among young women who are seeking validation from men.

OPINION | COLUMNS

An open letter on the trials of fitness

Feb. 10, 2019

The gym can be best described as difficult to enter and easy to leave. However, the benefits of the resulting strength and self-confidence you work for within the walls of Southwest Recreation Center or Student Recreation & Fitness Center follow you long after you leave.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Conversion therapy must be banned in Alachua County

Feb. 10, 2019

Gay rights have made tremendous strides in the past decade with gay marriage legalized as of 2015’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision and states banning discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, one issue still haunts the LGBTQ+ community: conversion therapy.

Senior Lindsey Ronbeck was named the American Athletic Conference’s Preseason Attacker of the Year. She’s fourth on UF’s career goals list with 159.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Fast offensive start leads Florida over Colorado

By Bryan Matamoros | Feb. 9, 2019

It took only 65 seconds for Florida’s lacrosse team to score its first goal of the 2019 season.

UF guard Noah Locke scored 16 points, including a 4-of-9 from three-point range in the Gators' 78-67 loss to Tennessee on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators dominated by Tennessee on the road

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 9, 2019

It didn’t matter when guard Andrew Nembhard stole the ball in the final minute of the game off a full-court press. It didn’t matter if he dished the ball out to guard Noah Locke in the right corner for a late three.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: Stand Up for Students

Feb. 9, 2019

Every student is entitled their own political opinions, but it is the role of our elected officials to act on them and use their voices to represent their constituents. The key word in that statement is “act.”

Junior Kelly Barnhill and the Gators are set to take on Texas A&M in a three-game series starting Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators win both games of tough doubleheader

By Brendan Farrell | Feb. 9, 2019

TAMPA -- The Gators walked into USF Softball Stadium knowing that Saturday’s doubleheader against No. 19 Michigan and No. 7 Arizona was going to be their toughest test at the USF Opening Weekend Invitational.

UF gymnast Trinity Thomas earned SEC Gymnast of the Week for her performance against Kentucky. She scored a 9.975 on the bars against the Wildcats.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF defeats Auburn, remains unbeaten at “Link to Pink” event

By River Wells | Feb. 8, 2019

The Gators had already won when freshman Trinity Thomas took the mat for her floor routine.

Shortstop Sophia Reynoso went 3-for-6 from the plate in Saturday's games against Jacksonville and Hampton.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators clobber Illinois State in five-inning shutout

By Mark Stine | Feb. 8, 2019

TAMPA -- The UF softball team was dialed in from the first pitch of the season.

Gabrielle Russo, 17, was accepted into UF’s class of 2023. Russo, who’s a third generation Gator, applied as undecided but is interested in biomedical engineering.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘It’s like a dream come true': UF welcomes class of 2023

By Kelly Hayes | Feb. 8, 2019

Some decisions were announced about an hour earlier than 6 p.m.

UF junior Grant Holloway ran the 60-meter hurdles in 7.43 seconds at the Tyson Invitational. The time was one millisecond off of his personal record.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

UF Track and Field split up for weekend meets

By Graham Marsh | Feb. 7, 2019

Just like on the track, UF’s the long-distance runners have much farther to travel this weekend for their meet than everyone else.

Coach Kevin O'Sullivan successfully dialed-up a gimmick steal play in the Gators' win over the USA 18-U team.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators may be worse off than you think

By Evan Lepak | Feb. 7, 2019

Florida’s baseball team enters the 2019 campaign with high expectations, as it should.

Men’s basketball coach Mike White and the Gators are in the middle of one of the worst offensive seasons in the past 20 years. They are averaging 68.7 points a game, the second lowest in that span.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

By The Numbers: Is this Florida basketball’s worst offense in the past 20 seasons?

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 7, 2019

The Gators men’s basketball team has been in a rut all season.

Guard Delicia Washington registered her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the Gators' win over FAMU.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Washington’s game-winning shot lifts Florida over Alabama

By Sam Campisano | Feb. 7, 2019

Florida guard Delicia Washington had been there before.

Florida goalkeeper Haley Hicklen earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday for her efforts against Villanova and Temple. It was the second time this season she has been awarded the title.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse motivated by last year’s NCAA quarterfinal exit

By Bryan Matamoros | Feb. 7, 2019

Athletes know the feeling all too well.

The graduation of Kayli Kvistad left an open spot at first base for the Florida softball team. Coach Tim Walton will likely either start one of his freshmen or sophomore Jordan Matthews there this season.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Two questions UF will answer this weekend

By Mark Stine | Feb. 7, 2019

The UF softball team heads down to Tampa this weekend to play its first five games while the finishing touches are put on the newly renovated Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.