1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

The negative mental health effect of an unwanted pregnancy is worse than that of an abortion

Mar. 18, 2018

A new landmark study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shows that abortions in the U.S. are safe and have few complications. It examines the four major methods used for abortions in this country, as well as women’s care from before the procedure through follow-up care.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Are alligators more dangerous than you think?

Mar. 18, 2018

In 1947, Dr. Ross Allen, founder of The Reptile Institute at Silver Springs, donated an alligator nicknamed “Albert” to the University of Florida. Before kickoff of every home football game, Albert was strapped to a leash and would lead the team onto the field. He was then kept on the sidelines for the rest of the game. A chain-link pen was even built near Century Tower to keep the gator.

Despite a ninth-place finish at the Tavistock Collegiate Invitational Coach J.C. Deacon is optimistic about his team's potential. “We have obviously not had our best stuff, but we have been extremely resilient,” Deacon said in a release. “Once we figure it out, we are going to be a top team.”

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators finish sixth at Schenkel after recovering on final two days

By Sam Campisano | Mar. 18, 2018

It was damage limitation mode for the No. 8 Florida men’s golf team after a brutal opening round at the Schenkel Invitational in Statesboro, Georgia.

Guard Chris Chiozza ended his senior season with a pair of all-conference honors before a loss in the Round of 32 against Texas Tech on Saturday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Chiozza era comes to close with Gators’ elimination from NCAA Tournament

By Benjamin Brandt | Mar. 18, 2018

The Florida men’s basketball team has unlaced its dancing shoes.

METRO | POLITICS

Who will win the upcoming city elections? Here’s what former Alachua County politicians think

By Amanda Rosa | Mar. 18, 2018

An online panel of Alachua County and Gainesville politicians and political experts predicted City Commissioners Charles Goston and Harvey Budd will be re-elected in Tuesday’s municipal election.

Senior attacker Shayna Pirreca celebrated senior day with her team and classmates at Dizney Stadium on Saturday. Pirreca scored three goals in Florida's 23-3 victory over Butler.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse team survives close call at Vanderbilt

By Tyler Nettuno | Mar. 18, 2018

Florida’s lacrosse team hadn’t lost a regular season conference game since falling to Connecticut 11-10 on April 18, 2015.

Florida pitcher Tyler Dyson pitched five innings against South Carolina on Sunday. He allowed two runs on two hits and struck out five Gamecock batters.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Behind strong pitching, Florida’s baseball team claims SEC-opening series over South Carolina

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 18, 2018

The ball rocketed off Jacob Olson’s bat like a satellite designed for orbit.

Southwest 20th Avenue is closed as police negotiate with shooter inside Windsor Terrace apartments.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Southwest 20th Avenue closed as police negotiate with shooter inside Windsor Terrace apartment

By Meryl Kornfield | Mar. 18, 2018

Updates:

Right fielder Wil Dalton registered the game-winning RBI in UF's 7-6 win over Georgia on Friday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gamecocks wallop Gators pitchers for 15 runs on Saturday

By Morgan McMullen | Mar. 17, 2018

Gamecocks designated hitter Noah Campbell stared down the barrel of a 6-foot-6 human cannon and didn’t blink. On a 2-2 pitch to lead off the first inning, Campbell took a 94-mph fastball from Florida starting pitcher Jackson Kowar deep to right-center field.

Junior Kelly Barnhill pitched 2+ innings and allowed three runs (one earned) in Florida's worst loss since 2011.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators mercy ruled by Georgia in worst loss since 2011

By Mari Faiello | Mar. 17, 2018

The luck of the Irish, green baseball hats and green stirrups weren’t enough for the Florida softball team to hold off Georgia in Game 2 of a three-game series.

Guard Jalen Hudson elected to return to school for his final year of eligibility.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators basketball notebook: Bucking trends vs. Texas Tech

By Andrew Huang | Mar. 17, 2018

The numbers don’t tell the whole story, but it’s hard to deny that there are certain box score benchmarks that are typically associated with a victory for the Gators men’s basketball team.

Coach Mike White has recruited the current No. 4 class in the country for the UF basketball program in 2019.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators level of passion needs to be evaluated when reflecting on this season

By Benjamin Brandt | Mar. 17, 2018

We saw it all on Saturday night. The runs and droughts, the jaw-dropping heroics and equally shocking mistakes. Everything that defined the Florida men’s basketball team’s season made an appearance in its disappointing finale.

Gregg Troy retired from being head coach of UF Swimming and Diving after spending 20 years in the position. “I’ve experienced countless memorable moments here at Florida," Troy said.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators women’s swimming & diving team closes NCAA Championships with quiet day

By Sam Campisano | Mar. 17, 2018

From start to finish, it was a largely uneventful showing for the No. 17 Gators at the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.

Guard Jalen Hudson led the Gators with 23 points off of 50 percent shooting in Florida's Round of 32 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

GAME OVER: Florida’s season ends in Round of 32 with loss to Texas Tech

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 17, 2018

As Keenan Evans’ pass soared through the air, the hopes of the Gators men’s basketball team advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament flew with it.

Guard Chris Chiozza dished out 11 assists while contributing eight points in Florida's first-round win over St. Bonaventure.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Chiozza, UF face Texas Tech on Saturday night with Sweet 16 berth on the line

By Andrew Huang | Mar. 17, 2018

A sloppy and early exit from the SEC Tournament on March 9 left a bad taste in the mouth of Florida’s men’s basketball program.

Coach Mike White and the Gators could have their hands full when they square off against Texas Tech tonight.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Scouting report: Texas Tech Red Raiders

By Andrew Huang | Mar. 17, 2018

A No. 3 seed in the East Region. A second-place regular season finish in the Big 12 behind Kansas, winner of 14 consecutive regular season titles. A handful of All-Big 12 honors. It’s been the season of the century for Texas Tech. The Red Raiders (25-9, 11-7) give up just 64.6 points per game – first in the Big 12 and 15th in the country – and have won three of their last four. Most recent is a 70-60 defeat of Stephen F. Austin in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, thanks to 23 points and 10-for-10 shooting from the line by Evans.

Sophomore diver Brooke Madden earned her second career All-American honors on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Dressel and Madden receive All-American Honorable Mentions on third day of NCAA Championships

By Sam Campisano | Mar. 16, 2018

A pair of sophomores led the way for the No. 17 Gators on the third day of the NCAA Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships.

Junior McClain Kessler helped win the doubles point en route to the Gators' sweep of Kentucky on Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators Sweep Kentucky in conference matchup

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 16, 2018

Like a lion spotting his prey, McClain Kessler’s eyes widened as the ball slowly dropped in front of him. The junior called off his doubles partner, freshman Duarte Vale, and spiked the ball over the net with a loud grunt.

Junior right-hander Brady Singer allowed one run on two hits and struck out seven batters through six innings in Florida's win Friday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida baseball powers past South Carolina in SEC opener

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 16, 2018

Graham Lawson didn’t even look up.

First baseman Kayli Kvistad went 1-of-2 from the plate with an RBI double in the first inning Friday against Georgia.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Georgia takes down Florida softball in first game of the series

By Mari Faiello | Mar. 16, 2018

As the saying goes, catastrophes typically come in threes.

El Caimán