Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF guard Canyon Barry was featured on the jumbotron in the O'Connell Center during Florida's 71-62 win against Texas A&M on Feb. 11, 2017.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Who to love, hate and appreciate in the sports world on Valentine’s Day

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 13, 2017

Happy Valentine’s Day, sports fans.

UF head coach Jenny Rowland smiles during Florida's win against Georgia on Feb. 10, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Despite illness, success is infectious for Gators gymnastics

By Lauren Staff | Feb. 13, 2017

A week ago, it seemed that there might not be enough gymnasts to compete, let alone at a high level, when the No. 3 Gators took on then-No. 9 Georgia on Friday in O’Connell Center.

UF forward Justin Leon attempts a dunk during Florida's 93-54 win over Missouri on Feb. 2, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Three-ball is key tonight at Auburn

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 13, 2017

Gators forward Justin Leon only shot two three-pointers in high school, both in his senior year.

Alfredo Perez hits a backhand during Florida's 4-2 against UCLA on Feb. 5, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida takes ‘L’ at No. 1 Virginia, looks to bounce back at ITA Indoors

By Mark Stine | Feb. 12, 2017

The UF men’s tennis team travelled to Virginia looking for its third straight win over a top-10 opponent and first victory over Virginia under coach Bryan Shelton.

UF's Anna Danilina returns a ball during Florida's 6-1 win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators advance to National Indoor Finals after blanking No. 6 Georgia

By Spencer Thompson | Feb. 12, 2017

After only 10 minutes had passed in the match, Florida fans at the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center became silent.

Amanda Lorenz bats during Florida's doubleheader sweep of Jacksonville on Feb. 17, 2016, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Softball sweeps opening tourney

By Skyler Lebron | Feb. 12, 2017

For the fourth consecutive year, the Florida Gators softball team started the year with an undefeated record at the USF-Wilson Demarini Tournament in Tampa.

UF freshman Grant Holloway jumps at the Hokie Invitational men's long jump final on Jan. 21, 2017.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Florida track improving, post many personal bests at Tyson Invitational

By Daniel Smithson | Feb. 12, 2017

Mike Holloway’s answer was simple.

UF guard Delicia Washington looks to pass during Florida's 84-75 loss to Ole Miss on Feb. 6, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Despite swollen eye, Washington leads UF women's hoops to victory

By Dylan Dixon | Feb. 12, 2017

Sunday wasn’t supposed to be easy for freshman guard Delicia Washington.

Jim McElwain looks on during Florida's 54-16 loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3, 2016, in Atlanta.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Football fans: Don’t expect SEC championship appearance

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 12, 2017

Some students and fans have welcomed coach Jim McElwain as God’s gift to football since he won his first Gators game in 2015.

UF coach Mike White speaks with guard Canyon Barry during Florida's 71-62 win against Texas A&M on Feb. 11, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

White, Florida men's basketball team peaking at the proper time

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 12, 2017

Mike White was smiling.

Shayna Pirreca (center) dodges defenders during Florida's 14-4 loss to Maryland on March 19, 2016, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators fall to No. 1 UNC in season opener

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 12, 2017

With the score tied at nine and and just under four minutes left in the game, North Carolina’s Sammy Jo Tracy received a pass.

UF’s Justin Leon soars for a dunk during Florida’s 95-63 win against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Notebook: Justin Leon has become indispensable for Florida

By Ray Boone | Feb. 11, 2017

With his team in the midst of a 20-10 run late in the second half, Justin Leon sprinted hard down the court.

UF guard Canyon Barry dribbles during Florida's 71-62 win over Texas A&M on Feb. 11, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

UF snaps noon curse with win over Texas A&M

By Matt Brannon | Feb. 11, 2017

Chris Chiozza stood with his shoulders square at the basket, toes at the free-throw line.

Delanie Gourley pitches during Florida's 14-10 loss to LSU on March 14, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 4 Gator Softball demolishes Illinois State in season opener

By Skyler Lebron | Feb. 11, 2017

In 2007, then-second year head coach Tim Walton led a then-No. 17 Florida Gator softball team into Los Angeles for a five-game tournament. Two of those games were against the Illinois State Redbirds.

Alex Mcmurtry perfroms her bars routine against Georgia on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. The routine received a perfect 10.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators defeat Georgia behind McMurtry’s perfect 10

By Lauren Staff | Feb. 11, 2017

Freshman Amelia Hundley landed her routine on bars.

Sammi Burgess makes a play on the ball during Florida's 14-4 loss on March 19, 2016 Maryland at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse hope to fill void Graziano left before UNC

By Jake Dreilinger | Feb. 9, 2017

After its defeat to Penn State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the Florida lacrosse team lost 10 seniors to graduation.

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton looks on during Florida's 4-2 win against UCLA on Feb. 5, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis to play No. 1 Virginia

By Mark Stine | Feb. 9, 2017

The No. 6 UF men’s tennis team will take to the skies this weekend, flying to Charlottesville, Virginia, to take on the No. 1-ranked Virginia Cavaliers.

UF women’s tennis coach Roland Thornqvist smiles during introductions prior to Florida’s win over USF on Jan. 27, 2016, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida seeks to continue momentum at National Indoor Championships

By Spencer Thompson | Feb. 9, 2017

After earning the No. 1 seed in the tournament, the Gators women’s tennis team will travel to Connecticut to compete in the National Indoor Championships Friday through Monday. Florida will open its weekend today at 3:30 p.m., facing unseeded Michigan, the No. 13 team in the nation. Michigan also houses the No. 4 doubles team in the country.

UF guard Dyandria Anderson passes the ball to teammate Delicia Washington during Florida's 57-53 win over Arkansas on Feb. 9, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF women’s basketball team manages first SEC home win of season

By Dylan Dixon | Feb. 9, 2017

Ronni Williams and Delicia Washington trotted toward halfcourt before meeting each other with a chest bump as the final buzzer sounded at the O’Connell Center.

UF gymnast Alex McMurtry swings during Florida's win over Auburn on Jan. 27, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Despite sickness, UF gymnastics team hoping to rebound

By Lauren Staff | Feb. 9, 2017

Alex McMurtry was ready to make her 2017 floor debut.