1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

College students, proclaim your independence in your health care

Apr. 1, 2018

College is the time to spread our wings, gain independence and discover who we are. However, sometimes the unexpected occurs and changes plans. More often than not, we are not prepared for that and we find ourselves in trouble. This happens because we spend too much time planning one day at a time and don’t stop to think about the “what-ifs.”

Senior McClain Kessler wrapped up his fall season with a doubles loss in the Round of 16 at the Dick Vitale Clay Court Classic.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis upset by South Carolina in dramatic matchup

By Dylan Rudolph | Apr. 1, 2018

McClain Kessler had no energy left to give as he walked off Court 6 of the Carolina Tennis Center.

Deafies in Drag stars Casa Vina (left) and Selena Minogue (right) pose with their fan.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Deaf drag queens connect with UF community

By Veronika Vernachio | Apr. 1, 2018

Casavina, in a blue sequined dress, and Selena Minogue, in a flamingo skirt, joked about the terrible things their interpreters have done through American Sign Language. Falling asleep, arguing and never showing any expressions were common problems.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Sustainable UF encourages students to ride bikes

By Catie Wegman | Apr. 1, 2018

Christine Infantolino rides her bike to campus from her Oxford Manor apartment every day, totaling up to at least 30 miles a week.

Florida third baseman Jonathan India extended his hitting streak to 15 games during UF's 8-2 win over Vanderbilt on Sunday. The junior blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida sweeps Vandy, India continues hitting streak

By Morgan McMullen | Apr. 1, 2018

The outcome between No. 2 Florida and No. 8 Vanderbilt on Sunday at McKethan Stadium had become nothing more than a sideshow. Even though it was still a ballgame — just 5-2 in Florida’s favor in the bottom of the fourth — everyone’s focus was solely on UF third baseman Jonathan India.

METRO

New theater coming to Gainesville

By Robert Lewis | Apr. 1, 2018

A Regal Entertainment Group movie theater is opening in Gainesville at Celebration Pointe and offering preview screenings to benefit charities ahead of its grand opening.

Eddie Valiant, 28, and Katie Zarada, 24, view artwork displayed at the Survivors of Violence Art Exhibit in the Civic Media Center, located at 433 S. Main St., on Friday night.

METRO

Exhibit opens to show what sexual assault survivors wore during attack

By Amanda Rosa | Apr. 1, 2018

The simple black dress pinned onto a board caught Erin Andres’ eye as she made her way around the artwork displayed at the Civic Media Center, located at 433 S. Main St., on Friday night.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

UF student accused of drunk driving in the wrong direction

By Meryl Kornfield | Apr. 1, 2018

A UF student was charged with drunk driving early Friday after she was accused of driving in the wrong direction, Gainesville Police said.

Gainesville Police officers are investigating a domestic violence situation at 3717 SW 28th Terrace on Sunday afternoon.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man detained by police after possible hostage situation

By Amanda Rosa | Apr. 1, 2018

A man was arrested Sunday afternoon after police responded to a domestic violence and possible hostage situation, Gainesville Police said.

Freshman Natalie Lugo logged her first career start Saturday against Hampton.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida’s softball team finishes weekend against non-conference opponents with four wins

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 1, 2018

Split-second decisions can make the difference in any kind of outcome.

Senior KeAndre Bates notched the second-longest triple jump in the nation Saturday at the Pepsi Florida Relays.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators thrive off crowd energy on final day of Florida Relays

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 31, 2018

KeAndre Bates had the crowd banging its hands together.

Senior Anna Danilina helped lead the Gators to their fifth consecutive conference victory on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF sweeps Missouri for ninth SEC win

By River Wells | Mar. 31, 2018

Senior Anna Danilina crouched on the court as the crowd behind her at the Ring Tennis Complex clapped in unison. Her opponent, Missouri’s Selena Nash, was one point away from losing to Danilia in a singles match and it was her turn to serve.

Attacker Lindsey Ronbeck returned to the Gators' lineup after missing the last three games.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Ronbeck and Pirreca lead Gators to blowout victory over Connecticut

By Tyler Nettuno | Mar. 31, 2018

Whenever a player has to miss time due to injury, it isn’t uncommon for him or her to take a few games to settle back into a rhythm.

Catcher JJ Schwarz notched his 214th career RBI Saturday against Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Slumping UF hitters break out on Saturday, Gators blow out Commodores for second win of series

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 31, 2018

The blazing Florida sun finally warmed up the bats of a couple slumping Gators on Saturday afternoon.

Pitcher Kelly Barnhill drew a walk in just her fourth plate appearance of her career on Friday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF softball wins Game 1 of doubleheader, second game postponed

By Mark Stine | Mar. 31, 2018

If there’s one indication that a game is over before it’s actually finished, it’s when Kelly Barnhill steps into the batter’s box.

Junior McClain Kessler helped win the doubles point for Florida before sweeping his opponent in singles play in the Gators' 4-3 win over Wake Forest.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida topples top-ranked Wake Forest

By Dylan Rudolph | Mar. 31, 2018

The No. 10 Florida men’s tennis team handed No. 1 Wake Forest its first home loss of the season Friday with a 4-3 win in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to push the team’s win streak to five in a row.

Sophomore Grant Holloway earned his second SEC 60-meter hurdles title in as many years on Sunday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators post three nation-leading times on Day 2 of Florida Relays

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 31, 2018

Cory Poole rounded the corner of the wet track with no one near him.

Pitcher Brady Singer allowed one run on two hits through seven innings Friday night against No. 8 Vanderbilt.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators undeterred by rain, beat Vandy to open series

By Justin Ahlum | Mar. 31, 2018

Empty seats, wet bleachers and dampened ponchos of anxious Gators fans surrounded the tarp-covered infield at McKethan Stadium. At 6:30, when second-ranked Florida was supposed to begin its first contest of a three-game set against the No. 8 Vanderbilt Commodores, not one player for either team could be seen on the field.

Coach Tim Walton talked about the excitement surrounding the future upgrades to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. “It’s been a fun process so far even though we haven’t broken ground yet,” he said.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball team excited for stadium renovations next season

By Mari Faiello | Mar. 30, 2018

After 21 years of history on the diamond, Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, home to Florida’s softball program, will have a whole new look for the 2019 season.

In the 2012-13 school year, the Disability Resource Center center served 1,214 students. This academic year, that rose to 3,055.

NEWS | FEATURES

Disability Resource Center struggles with growing demand

By Jessica Giles | Mar. 29, 2018

Nestled alone in her cubicle, Marti Stein can fidget all she wants.

El Caimán