sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF junior Elizabeth Beisel speaks to her teammates at the All Florida Invitational at the O'Connell Center in 2012.

Sports

Junior Beisel threatens school record as UF beats FAU

By ROBERT JUDIN< | Jan. 21, 2013

Elizabeth Beisel tried to swim her way into history against FAU.

Florida redshirt freshman Gordon Watson hits a ball during the Bedford Cup on Sept. 15, 2012, at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Florida wins season opener against Hurricanes

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 21, 2013

Gordon Watson graduated early from Naples First Baptist Academy in December 2011 and was promptly redshirted. After watching Florida compete during his first dual-meet season in 2012, Watson got his chance.

Point guard Jaterra Bonds (10) runs the floor during Florida's 77-72 win against LSU on Jan. 6 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Minus George, Gators drop another close SEC game

Jan. 20, 2013

Without senior Jennifer George (shoulder), coach Amanda Butler was forced to juggle her starting lineup on Sunday.

Sports

Alford, Watson lead Gators to 5-2 victory against Miami

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 19, 2013

After winning the doubles match 8-2 four minutes after Billy Federhofer and Gordon Watson, Mike Alford carried that momentum over to singles.

January Miller (right) attempts a shot during Florida’s 78-75 overtime loss to Tennessee on Sunday at home.

Sports

Freshman guard Miller improving quickly for UF

Jan. 17, 2013

January Miller emerged as a legitimate scoring option for the Gators two weeks ago.

Sports

Florida routs Texas A&M in road win

By LANDON WATNICK | Jan. 17, 2013

UF pressured Texas A&M defensively on Thursday night, and the Aggies folded.

Former UF defensive coordinator Dan Quinn calls a play during Florida’s 27-20 victory against Louisiana on Nov. 10 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Seattle Seahawks hire Dan Quinn as new coordinator

By JOSH JURNOVOY | Jan. 17, 2013

Former Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn accepted the same position with the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday afternoon. Gators special teams coordinator and linebackers coach D.J. Durkin was promoted to replace Quinn.

Junior Eddie Lovett (left) races in the 55m hurdles at the Gator Invitational in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Junior hurdler breaks 23-year-old school record at Gator Invitational

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 17, 2013

Junior Eddie Lovett was focusing on three things while setting up in the blocks for the finals of the men’s 55-meter hurdles.

Sports

Eutsey's new training paying off

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 16, 2013

Junior Ebony Eutsey wasn’t happy when coach Mike Holloway suggested she add short sprints to her training routine during the fall semester.

Senior Kenny Boynton defends Georgia guard Vincent Williams during Florida’s 77-44 win on Jan. 9 in the O’Connell Center. UF’s defense will be tasked with stopping Texas A&M’s Elston Turner tonight at 7.

Sports

Boynton more than just shooting for Gators

By GREG LUCA | Jan. 16, 2013

When discussing Kenny Boynton, fans and onlookers only seem to care about one thing: Is he hot, or is he cold?

Freshman forward Christin Mercer attempts a shot during Florida’s 78-75 overtime loss to Tennessee on Sunday in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Mercer looking to overcome late struggles in loss to Tennessee

Jan. 15, 2013

The lasting image from Florida’s near upset of No. 9 Tennessee was the anguished look on the face of freshman Christin Mercer.

Throwers coach Steve Lemke (left) and coach Mike Holloway walk across the field at Percy Beard Track at Pressly Stadium during the 2012 Florida Relays. Seventeen Gators qualified Sunday for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which are set to begin June 5.

Sports

Underclassmen impress in Crimson Tide Indoor Opener

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN | Jan. 14, 2013

Two Gators did not wait long to have career-best performances in the weight throw.

Bashaara Graves (12) grabs a rebound over Kayla Lewis (22) in Sunday’s game.

Sports

Butler refreshingly honest in defeat

By ADAM PINCUS | Jan. 14, 2013

Coach Amanda Butler left her team with more questions than answers after squandering a victory against the team from Rocky Top.

Kenny Boynton (1) shoots during Florida’s 58-40 win against Savannah State on Nov. 20 at home.

Sports

Boynton becomes third-leading scorer in school history

By LANDON WATNICK | Jan. 13, 2013

Kenny Boynton continues to shatter UF scoring records.

Florida forward Will Yeguete (15) attempts a shot against Georgetown forward Otto Porter on Nov. 9 aboard the USS Bataan in Jacksonville.

Sports

Yeguete steps up for Gators amid injuries

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 13, 2013

The Gators were already playing a man down in Baton Rouge, La.

Coach Amanda Butler reacts to a play during Florida’s 78-75 overtime loss to No. 9 Tennessee on Sunday in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Florida’s upset bid falls short in overtime

Jan. 13, 2013

Coach Amanda Butler had her team on the brink of upsetting No. 9 Tennessee on Sunday afternoon, a victory that would have represented arguably Florida’s biggest win during her tenure.

Guard January Miller (3) fights for possession with guard Taber Spani (13) during Florida’s 78-75 overtime loss to Tennessee on Sunday in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Apathy hampering Florida women’s basketball program

By JOE MORGAN | Jan. 13, 2013

Florida’s 78-75 overtime loss to No. 9 Tennessee was a wasted opportunity.

Sophomore Kytra Hunter performs her beam routine in a dual meet against Ball State on Jan. 4 in the O’Connell Center. Hunter won the all-around title at the NCAA Regionals on Saturday.

Sports

Sophomore Hunter shines in loss to LSU

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Jan. 13, 2013

Florida’s gymnastics team waited patiently for the final team scores Friday evening in Baton Rouge, La.

Sophomore jumper Marquis Dendy competes in the long jump at the Gator Invitational on Jan. 22, 2012, in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Gators win six event titles in debut

By KATIE AGOSTIN | Jan. 13, 2013

On Saturday at the Crimson Tide Indoor Opener in Birmingham, Ala., freshmen Najee Glass and Arman Hall had to replace two members of the 2012 NCAA Championship 4x400-meter relay team who clinched Florida’s first outdoor national title.

Freshman Bridget Sloan sticks a landing during Florida’s 196.575-190.55 win against Ball State on Jan. 4 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Freshman Sloan earns Southeastern Conference honor

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Jan. 10, 2013

Ashanee Dickerson took to the corner of the mat at the start of her floor exercise. “Hottest in the Hood” by Red Cafe was blaring through the speakers. But more than the music accompanied her.