1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Gators sophomore Emily De Oliveira prepares to hit the ball in a 4-1 victory against the Michigan Wolverines Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida loses nail-biter to No. 1 Aggies, eliminated in SEC Championship Semifinal

By Luke Adragna | Apr. 22, 2023

The No. 4-seed Florida Gators (16-7, 9-4 SEC) lost to the No. 1-seed Texas A&M Aggies (27-1, 13-0 SEC) 4-2 Saturday afternoon at Billingsley Tennis Center and failed to advance to the Southeastern Conference Championship Final. The match was a tussle from the opening serve, but the Aggies bested the Gators for the third time this season.

Florida second baseman Cade Kurland watches his hit during the Gators' 13-11 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Friday, April 14, 2023

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators’ late comeback falls short in loss to Gamecocks

By Topher Adams | Apr. 22, 2023

The No. 3 Florida Gators (31-10, 11-7 SEC) fell to the No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks (34-6, 13-4 SEC) 7-5 Saturday afternoon. Florida was swept for the first time since April 2022 against the Tennessee Volunteers.

Florida attacker Tayler Warehime stands near Maryland's goal during the Gators' 14-13 loss to the Terrapins Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida beats Vanderbilt behind season-high score in regular season home finale

By Kate Wiggins | Apr. 22, 2023

The Florida Gators (12-3, 4-1) beat the Vanderbilt Commodores (3-11, 1,4) 22-6 Saturday afternoon. Already in high spirits, the team gathered after the game to honor its graduating seniors.

Florida pitcher Jac Caglianone swings hit bat during the Gators' 2-1 win against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Early home runs lift No. 6 South Carolina over No. 3 Florida

By Ethan Eibe | Apr. 21, 2023

The Gamecocks’ pitching once again held the Gators’ bats in check in No. 6 South Carolina’s 5-2 win over the No. 3 Florida Gators Friday night at Founders Park in Columbia, South Carolina.

Florida senior John DuBois lines up a putt in at the Vystar Credit Union Gators Invitational Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators earn No. 3 seed in SEC Championship Quarterfinals

By Madilyn Destefano | Apr. 21, 2023

The Gators earned the No. 3 seed in Saturday’s quarterfinals after they finished in the top eight Friday.

Florida senior Lukas Greif swings his racket during the Gators' 4-3 loss to the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, April 9, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

No. 24 Gators crash out of SEC Championships as No. 4 Georgia scores shutout

By Eitan Ohana | Apr. 21, 2023

The No. 24 Florida Gators (14-13, 5-7 SEC) fell to the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs (19-5, 12-0 SEC) 4-0 Friday evening in Auburn.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville Regional Utilities will move forward with solar plant

Apr. 21, 2023

The City Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a solar contract with Origis Energy, making construction of a plant in Archer the first solar project for Gainesville Regional Utilities.

The U.S. Physics Olympiad, or USAPhO, is a high school physics competition that started in 1986 in which students are tested on the mechanics and applications of physics concepts.

METRO | K-12 EDUCATION

Gainesville physics prodigies strive toward Physics Olympics

By Aubrey Bocalan | Apr. 21, 2023

The American Association of Physics Teachers often gives this book to aspiring physics talent, and Mishra, 17, was in the top 50 highest scores at the U.S. Physics Olympiad. But it still wasn’t enough to get him a gold medal. As a senior, he has returned to the competition striving to do even better.

Florida sophomore Bente Spee celebrates during the Gators' 4-1 win against the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators stun underdog Rebels, advance to SEC Championships semifinals

By Luke Adragna | Apr. 21, 2023

The No. 4 Florida Gators (16-6, 9-4 SEC) defeated the No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels (11-13, 3-10 SEC) 4-0 Friday morning at Billingsley Tennis Center to advance to the Southeastern Conference Championships semifinals. The Gators pieced together a fantastic performance in doubles and singles play in pursuit of their shutout victory.

Florida shortstop Josh Rivera throws the ball during the Gators' 2-1 win against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators’ bullpen implodes in run-rule loss to Gamecocks

By Topher Adams | Apr. 20, 2023

The No. 3 Florida Gators (31-8, 11-5 SEC) lost 13-3 to the No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks (32-6, 11-4 SEC) in Columbia, South Carolina, Thursday night. UF’s bullpen allowed 10 runs and forced just three outs to give the Gamecocks a mercy-rule win.

Florida freshman Tanapatt Nirundorn celebrates during the Gators' 4-3 loss to the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs Sunday, April 9, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

No. 24 Gators cruise to win over No. 22 Tigers in opening round of SEC Championship

By Eitan Ohana | Apr. 20, 2023

The No. 24 Florida Gators (14-12, 5-7 SEC) defeated the No. 22 Auburn Tigers (17-11, 5-7 SEC) 4-1 Thursday evening in Auburn.

NEWS | SFC

Santa Fe College announces 3 provost finalists

By Peyton Harris | Apr. 20, 2023

Santa Fe College announced it narrowed its search for a new provost to three finalists Wednesday afternoon, after a search to replace Provost Edward Bonahue.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

City Commission officially votes to restore exclusionary zoning

By Siena Duncan | Apr. 20, 2023

The three ordinances will completely revert the city’s zoning codes back to what they were, including four different types of single family zones, residential conservation zones, mobile home zones, multi-family zones and mixed use zones.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

UF Student Senate elects leadership after monthlong gridlock

By Amanda Friedman | Apr. 20, 2023

Student Government Senate leadership elections Tuesday evening marked the end to a monthlong political standoff, sparked by the Change Caucus gaining a Senate majority in the Spring SG elections.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Gainesville native rockstar Laura Jane Grace returns to her roots

By Gracey Davis | Apr. 20, 2023

A full house of punk-rockers dressed in their best black tank tops, skinny jeans and fishnet tights met Laura Jane Grace’s heavily anticipated return to Gainesville.

Florida graduate student utility player Pal Egan swings in the Gators' 8-7 win against the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, April 15, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 13 Gators beat Bulls behind Wilkie’s walk-off grand slam

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Apr. 19, 2023

The No. 13 Florida Gators (32-11, 8-7 SEC) defeated the South Florida Bulls (27-19, 6-3 ACC) 7-3 Wednesday evening in Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Circus performer entertains attendees during the Big Sho at Celebration Catering Warehouse Saturday, April 15, 2023.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

The Big Sho’ celebrates hip-hop, creativity in new music festival

By Lauren Whiddon | Apr. 19, 2023

From 3 p.m. on April 15 to 2 a.m. the following morning, around 600 people gathered at the Celebrations Catering Warehouse, located at 317 NE 35 Ave., for Gainesville’s first hip-hop music festival. The lineup featured Localhotboy, Madwoman, Ladyboy, Raphdidit, Chuck Strangers, Kaelin Ellis and Zack Fox.

Florida two-way player Jac Caglianone hits the ball in the Gators' 13-11 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs Friday, April 14, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators rout Rattlers in run-rule romping

By Ethan Eibe | Apr. 18, 2023

The Gators (31-7, 11-4 SEC) jumped all over Townsend for 11 runs on 10 hits in UF’s 17-7 mercy-rule victory against the Florida A&M Rattlers (18-18, 12-3 SWAC) at Condron Ballpark Tuesday night.

THE AVENUE

Muslim residents juggle work, fasting during Ramadan

By Zarin Ismail | Apr. 18, 2023

Muslims, like Ealyes Mohammed, started fasting March 23 to observe Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar when Muslims don’t eat or drink from sunrise to sunset every day until they see a new moon, signifying the start of the next month in the Islamic calendar.

Florida head coach Todd Golden coaches the Gators' men's basketball team during a practice the day before its Southeastern Conference tournament game Wednesday, March 8, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators transfer portal report: UF signed Tyrese Samuel, in contact with guards

By Brandon Hernandez | Apr. 17, 2023

The two players — Iona sophomore transfer guard Walter Clayton Jr. and Marshall freshman transfer center Micah Handlogten — joined Yale graduate transfer forward EJ Jarvis as a part of UF’s recruiting class. However, the Gators still need three more players to complete a 15-man roster for the 2023-2024 season.

El Caimán