1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Tim Tebow to speak at April’s commencement

By Lily Kino | Mar. 21, 2022

Former Gator quarterback Tim Tebow will return to The Swamp this Spring to address the 2022 graduating class in a commencement speech. Tebow will speak April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the university-wide ceremony, a celebration of students from all colleges. Graduates, their families and members of the public are invited to come to the special night under the lights.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Make art, not war’: Gainesville, UF community show solidarity with Ukraine

By Amanda Friedman | Mar. 21, 2022

Images of once-tall buildings and busy streets Iryna Kanishcheva used to walk in Lviv, Ukraine, are now billows of smoke and ashes on her television screen. “I understand that all this can be destroyed with just one missile,” Kanishcheva said. “It’s really terrifying.”

Model Asteria Kennedy shows off her hair to the judges at the Ultimate Braiding Battle at the Hilton hotel on Southwest 34th Street on Saturday, March 19. Kennedy's stylist Rashawnda Thomas won the $1,000 prize.

METRO | BUSINESS

Braiders battle for $1,000 cash prize in inaugural styling competition

By Thandie Brown | Mar. 21, 2022

Gainesville hair stylists hosted the first Ultimate Braiders Battle Saturday with a $1,000 cash prize. About 50 people watched the competitors braid and perused the tables of hair care products lining the walls.

Oreo, a pitbull up for adoption at the Humane Society of North Central Florida, lies in the shade outside a play pen on Friday, March 18.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville groups and pet owners confront pit bull misconceptions

By Dazion Prosser | Mar. 21, 2022

Allison Martineau was surrounded by the affection of pit bull breeds at an early age. Now, the memory of the true nature of pit bulls motivates the 28-year-old substance abuse lead technician to foster the misunderstood dog type. “They love you like no other,” Martineau said. “Every dog has the ability to be a blessing.”

Emad Nasif, a 21-year-old Gainesville Twitch streamer, sits in front of his gaming set up where he streams his Fortnite plays to up to 1,500 viewers.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Santa Fe College dropout makes six figures as a full time Twitch streamer

By Omar Ateyah | Mar. 21, 2022

Emad Nasif, a 21-year-old Gainesville Twitch streamer, spends much of his day shouting. Nasif believes that a high level of energy and enthusiasm is required for him to maintain his audience, and attaining success in the streaming world is no easy task.

Florida softball huddles on the field to talk strategy against Mississippi State on March 14, 2022. The Gators compiled too many errors Friday night, falling to No. 7 Arkansas by a 9-1 score.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida travels to Texas A&M for second SEC series of the year

By Jose Tovar | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida softball (23-2, 2-1) is back in SEC action this weekend as it faces Texas A&M (16-8, 0-3) March 18-20 in College Station, Texas.

Florida outfielder Jud Fabian and the Gators collapsed in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon, falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 8-7.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators ninth inning meltdown takes away shine from big names

By Ethan Budowsky | Mar. 20, 2022

After nearly escaping an epic disaster Friday night, the Gators melted down even harder Sunday en route to a Sunday loss.

Sophomore Ben Shelton awaits a serve against Ole Miss Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida continues to roll with shutout win over Mississippi State

By Joshua Morgan | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida (14-2) continued their march through the SEC schedule with another convincing performance Sunday, scoring a 7-0 shutout at the hands of Mississippi State (11-8).

Florida forward Colin Castleton in the huddle against Iona March 16. The senior likely played his final game for the Gators Sunday versus Xavier.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida finishes season with underwhelming loss to Xavier

By Jackson Castellano | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida’s season came to an end Sunday in a 72-56 loss to Xavier. “This is a low, they need to learn from it and it’ll make them better,” interim head coach Al Pinkins said.

Graduate student Megan Skaggs and the Gators beat out three SEC opponents Saturday to clinch the Conference championship

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics is lights-out at the SEC Championship

By Madeline Lawson | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida sweeps both 2022 SEC trophies and Trinity Thomas wins the all-around title.

Kevin O'Sullivan before a weekend series with Missouri in 2021. The Gators head coach earned his 600th career win in a Saturday night bout with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

O’Sullivan wins his 600th, Gators outscore Tide to secure series win

By Carson Cashion | Mar. 20, 2022

Win number 600 for the O’Sullivan era in Gainesville came in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Florida women’s basketball added a new coach to its staff Tuesday, as Jackie Moore was named assistant to the head coach.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls to UCF in NCAA Tournament, magical season comes to a close

By Caleb Wiegandt | Mar. 19, 2022

Down three usual starters, Florida ended their NCAA Tournament hopes with a 69-52 loss to UCF Saturday.

No. 6 Florida was shut down by Texas A&M Saturday afternoon, 5-0.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida falls 5-0 to Texas A&M’s spectacular pitching

By Vanessa Sanchez | Mar. 19, 2022

No. 5 Florida was upset and shut down, 5-0 Saturday afternoon by the Texas A&M Aggies.

Gators quarterback Emory Jones throws a pass during Florida's 29-17 Gasparilla Bowl loss to Central Florida on Dec. 23. The Franklin, Georgia, native announced his entry to the transfer portal Friday.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators quarterback Emory Jones enters the Transfer Portal

By Topher Adams | Mar. 19, 2022

Gators quarterback Emory Jones is entering the Transfer Portal after initially deciding to return to Florida after practice Tuesday afternoon.

Florida's Skylar Wallace rounds the bases against Mississippi State March 14. Wallace recorded two doubles in Saturday's Super Regional victory over Virginia Tech.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Late-game heroics propel Gators past Texas A&M in game one of the series

By Jose Tovar | Mar. 19, 2022

The Florida Gators secured an impressive comeback win in the first game against Texas A&M Friday. Redshirt junior Skylar Wallace was clutch in the final inning with a two-run single.

Sophomore Ben Shelton and senior Sam Riffice during a matchup with Ole Miss Friday

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida stays undefeated in conference play with win over Ole Miss

By Joshua Morgan | Mar. 19, 2022

Florida stayed undefeated in conference play with a 6-1 win over Ole Miss. The No. 1 Gators now sport an eight-game winning streak.

Florida's Sarah Dahlstrom during a match against Central Florida on Feb. 9, 2021. The Gators women's team shut down Ole Miss, 7-0 Friday night.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida cruises past Missouri as forfeits provide advantage

By Vanessa Sanchez | Mar. 19, 2022

The Tigers forfeited a doubles and singles match, giving the No. 16 Gators a one point lead. Florida would go on to defeat Missouri 6-1.

Sophomore Hunter Barco throws a pitch against Jacksonville March 14, 2021. The southpaw struck out 44 batters so far in his 2022 campaign.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators avoid disaster, pick up win in conference opener

By Ethan Budowsky | Mar. 19, 2022

The Gators were cruising, then suddenly the ship hit rocky waters. After breezing by their opponents all night, Florida nearly threw it all away in the ninth. Luckily, they somehow managed to escape with a win in their first conference game of the year.

METRO | BREAKING NEWS

UF student killed in hit-and-run on Southwest 34th Street

By Troy Myers | Mar. 18, 2022

A UF student was hit and killed by a truck at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday while walking on the sidewalk along Southwest 34th Street. The driver, 19-year-old James O’Reilly, fled the scene after hitting the student on the 3600 block of Southwest 34th Street.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS

Russia-Ukraine conflict hits home for UF Diver Anton Svirskyi

By Ethan Eibe | Mar. 18, 2022

Anton Svirskyi calls Russia's invasion of Ukraine a bad dream. The biomedical engineering junior and UF diver's family members have taken shelter in Ukraine following the start of Russia’s invasion Feb. 24.

El Caimán