1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior Kennedy Baker earned her third career 10.0 in her floor routine in a route of No. 9 Alabama at the O'Connell Center Friday night.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Kennedy Baker posts 10.0 on floor as Florida tops Alabama for third straight SEC win

By Alana Gomez | Feb. 9, 2018

Only two weeks have passed since the Gators gymnastics team saw a 10.0 score on the mats of the O’Connell center. This proved too long for Florida, which ended its home match against Alabama on Friday night with a 10.0 on the floor from senior Kennedy Baker, her third perfect score in the routine in the past two years.

Senior pitcher and utility player Aleshia Ocasio opened the Gators' 2018 season with five perfect innings, ending the afternoon with eight strikeouts. She also went 1 of 3 from the plate with a pair of runs scored.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida’s softball team tramples Illinois St. to win season opener

By Mark Stine | Feb. 9, 2018

One by one, Illinois State’s players approached the batter’s box.

Duchess Harris, a Macalester College American studies professor, spoke to about 80 people Thursday evening in Smathers Library. Her grandmother Miriam Mann was a “human computer” in the 1960s at NASA.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Granddaughter of one of NASA’s ‘hidden’ African-American female scientists spoke at UF

By Nicole Williams | Feb. 9, 2018

Duchess Harris’ grandmother Miriam Mann was a “human computer” at NASA before the main characters of “Hidden Figures.”

Senior Anna Danilina picked up a victory in singles play on Saturday, but it wasn't enough, as the Gators fell to Florida State 4-3.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators return to ITA indoor championships off losing streak

By River Wells | Feb. 9, 2018

After senior Josie Kuhlman’s heartbreaking loss on Wednesday to hand the Gators their second loss in a row, coach Roland Thornqvist assured that the team’s level of play would be enough to lead it to victory during the season. At the first meet of the ITA National Team Indoor Championships on Friday, Florida will have an imposing first test to see if those words will ring true.

2017 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year Haley Hicklen and six preseason All-Big East team members return to coach Amanda O'Leary's team this season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Big East-favorite Gators set to open their season at home against Colorado

By Tyler Nettuno | Feb. 9, 2018

The Florida lacrosse team has not reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament since 2015.

While the Gators have five upperclassmen on the Preseason All-SEC Team, a slew of freshmen are set to make immediate contributions. "I'm really excited to see how it's going to piece together," senior Aleshia Ocasio said.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators open season against Illinois State

By Mark Stine | Feb. 9, 2018

Last year, the Gators turned to their underclassmen to fill pivotal roles. This year could prove to be similar.

Florida guard Egor Koulechov looks forward to matching up against South Carolina forward Chris Silva, who recorded a double-double against UF on Jan. 24. "We'll have a good game plan," Koulechov said. "I'll do whatever I gotta do."

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF hits road for rematch with South Carolina

By Andrew Huang | Feb. 9, 2018

Florida point guard Chris Chiozza has been posting career numbers all season. He’s scoring, rebounding and assisting at his highest rate since he stepped foot in Gainesville four years ago. The Gators men's basketball team has needed all of it in a topsy-turvy 2018 campaign.

Senior Alex McMurtry and the No. 5 Gators gymnastics team will play host to No. 9 Alabama tonight at the O'Connell Center. “I think it’s just easier on home turf and we have that momentum," she said.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF, ‘Bama square off tonight at O’Connell Center

By Alana Gomez | Feb. 9, 2018

Jenny Rowland was all smiles in the Florida gymnastics team’s practice facility Tuesday morning. Her excitement about returning home for the Gators’ sixth match of the season was evident as she laughed and joked with reporters.

Sophomore Grant Holloway and the No. 1 men's track team will join the No. 6 women's track team on a road trip to a pair of meets over the weekend.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida track and field competes in last meets before SEC Indoor Championships

By Alanis Thames | Feb. 9, 2018

UF’s No. 1 men’s and No. 6 women’s track and field teams are in Iowa and South Carolina today and Saturday for a two-meet weekend. The pair of matchups will be their last before SEC Indoor Championships start later this month.

Junior Alfredo Perez and the No. 11 Gators are playing tonight in their first matchup outside of Florida this season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

No. 11 Florida begins roadtrip at No. 13 Michigan

By Benjamin Brandt | Feb. 8, 2018

The Florida men’s tennis team will open a stretch of indoor play tonight on the road against No. 13 Michigan. Following a disappointing loss to then No. 22 Florida State, the Gators hope to adopt a more aggressive brand of tennis.

Sophomore Marta Perez will be part of the Gators' starting lineup in their second tournament of the season.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Glaser, Gators women’s golf team travel to California after opening-day loss to Miami

By Chris O'Brien | Feb. 8, 2018

Florida women’s golf coach Emily Glaser chuckled.

Callie is one of several stray cats that have been regularly fed and cared for by Gainesville natives over the years. This group of felines regularly wander the streets and sewers of the University of Florida and gather behind the Counseling and Wellness Center everyday to be fed.

NEWS | FEATURES

Mama Kitty’s legacy: A look at stray cats around the city

By Amanda Rosa | Feb. 8, 2018

When Libby Rowell started feeding Mama Kitty in 1997, she never expected to bury the stray in her backyard nearly 15 years later.

OPINION | DARTS LAURELS

Darts & Laurels: Feb. 9, 2018

Feb. 8, 2018

It’s been four years since you took the time to sit in front of the television and excitedly watch figure skaters twirl and jump across smooth, glass-like ice rinks or you’ve ogled in amazement as professional skiers glide through pristinely white snow and leap into the sky off of seemingly terrifying ramps. The time has finally come for you to do it again. That’s right: It’s time once again for the Winter Olympics.

OPINION | COLUMNS

It’s time for Florida to end cash bail

Feb. 8, 2018

In our current system, the rich who are arrested quickly post bail, but those who are poor can spend extended periods of time in jail without a conviction. Our justice system must understand, while the punishment should fit the crime, cash bail disproportionately impacts poorer people, making it inherently unfair. In other words: It’s time for Florida to end cash bail.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Water conservation must be taken seriously

Feb. 8, 2018

In “The Wealth of Nations” from 1776, Adam Smith wrote, “nothing is more useful than water.” As much as the father of modern economics believed in a free market, that invisible hand occasionally reached for a glass of water like any other.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Recent YouTube drama is a sign it’s time to change

Feb. 8, 2018

In 2005, YouTube was born into existence and would forever change the digital world as we know it. Even though that was only 13 years ago, the internet was still in its infancy. As the first of its kind, YouTube has transformed from a time-killing rabbit hole, filled with cat videos and people “failing,” to a legitimate medium of creation and a source of entertainment poised to surpass traditional television.