Sports | Features - The Independent Florida Alligator

Senior Kennedy Baker tore her Achilles tendon during her floor routine against Arkansas. Now, she said she wants to be her team's biggest cheerleader.

SPORTS | FEATURES

VITAL SIGNS: Baker using ASL to connect with cousin

By Alana Gomez | Apr. 5, 2018

Kennedy Baker awaited her cue on the edge of the mat as her gold eyeshadow and silver eyeliner masked the nerves that vibrated through her body. She swept her hair back and looked around at the sold-out crowd of 9,661 while the sparkles on her blue and orange uniform twinkled under the dim lights of the O’Connell Center.

Kelly Barnhill has gained an appreciation for other cultures through traveling for softball tournaments.

SPORTS | FEATURES

FROM GEORGIA TO JAPAN: Kelly Barnhill is pursuing gems beyond the softball diamond

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 3, 2018

It’s a quiet morning in the summer of 2016 as Kelly Barnhill walks the streets of Takasaki, Japan.

Junior defender Caroline May is beginning to see her playing time increase this season after recovering from a gruesome knee injury.

SPORTS | FEATURES

MAY’S DAY: UF lacrosse player overcomes pair of injuries

By Tyler Nettuno | Mar. 29, 2018

Caroline May felt devastated as she lay on the ground.

UF sprinter Kunle Fasasi has followed his dream from his hometown in Nigeria to Gainesville.

SPORTS | FEATURES

GETTING ON TRACK: Sprinter Kunle Fasasi thriving at UF

By Alanis Thames | Mar. 27, 2018

The beat of Lil Wayne’s “6 Foot 7 Foot” fades to silence as Kunle Fasasi wraps his earbuds around his iPhone. He places them inside his orange and blue backpack, whispers a quick prayer and jogs over to Lane 6 inside Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium.

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

SPORTS | FEATURES

California Glove: Gourley pitches from coast to coast

By Cassie Amundson | May 16, 2017

Along the west coast of the United States, there’s a range of large, clay-colored cliffs that sit face-to-face with the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Bridget Sloan performs on the balance beam during Florida's win against Arkansas on Feb. 12, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Where they are now: Former UF gymnast transitioning to life off the mat

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 18, 2017

Bridget Sloan called it her slump period.

SPORTS | FEATURES

STAYING GROUNDED: Jefferson has tools to be great but remains humble

By Patrick Pinak | Oct. 27, 2016

Leo Jefferson still remembers the first time he put his son on a football field.

Alex Anzalone (34) and CeCe Jefferson (96) motion to the crowd during Florida's 13-6 win over Vanderbilt on Oct. 1 in Nashville. "He doesn't hold anything back," linebacker Jarrad Davis said of Anzalone. "He lets everything go, and that's what we want from our teammates."

SPORTS | FEATURES

SOMETHING TO PROVE: Alex Anzalone making his time at UF count

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Oct. 6, 2016

Alex Anzalone stands at the 46-yard line during Florida’s season opener against Massachusetts, the first live game he’s played in almost a year.

Florida kicker Eddy Pineiro looks on during the Orange and Blue Debut on April 8, 2016, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

SIGNS OF GREATNESS: Former soccer star’s hard work paying off at UF

By Patrick Pinak | Sep. 15, 2016

Four years ago at Kendall Soccer Park, Eddy Pineiro did something abnormal.

UF quarterback Will Grier runs onto the field prior to Florida's 14-9 win against Kentucky on Sept. 19, 2015, at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

SPORTS | FEATURES

A winner's mentality: Will Grier focused on leading UF

By GRAHAM HACK | Sep. 24, 2015

On Aug. 5, Will Grier walked into the Touchdown Terrace portion of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium carrying extra weight.

UF cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III returns an interception during Florida’s 61-13 win against New Mexico State on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Sharing a Common Goal: UF secondary wants to be the best

By Luis Torres | Sep. 10, 2015

Florida’s secondary is known around the country as one of the best in college football.

Jim McElwain waves as he walks off the plane after arriving in Gainesville on Dec. 5, 2014.

SPORTS | FEATURES

EXPECTING PERFECTION: Jim McElwain prepared for his first season at UF

By GRAHAM HALL | Sep. 3, 2015

Aside from the pressure surrounding a presumed revival of the football program, Florida coach Jim McElwain can’t walk around campus without being constantly reminded of enormous expectations and past success.

Florida softball players celebrate on the field of Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium following their 1-0 win over Kentucky on Sunday to advance to their seventh Women’s College World Series in eight years.

SPORTS | FEATURES

The Road Less Traveled: UF softball hoping to repeat as national champions

By Luis Torres | May 28, 2015

As Tim Walton stood at the lectern at the Women’s Club on Jan. 26 for the first time this year to address the media, he said the 2015 Florida softball team had one goal, and it wasn’t to repeat as champions.

Within 12 months' time, UF athletics director Jeremy Foley had to replace head coaches from four teams: Football, men's basketball, gymnastics and men's golf. Our summer 2015 editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack took a look at the task Foley faced (http://www.alligator.org/sports/features/article_c22cfcd4-fa27-11e4-bb87-bbf88be26ea0.html)

SPORTS | FEATURES

University of Florida athletics department entering transition period

By GRAHAM HACK | May 14, 2015

The University of Florida athletics department has undergone three head coaching changes in the past six months, forcing athletics director Jeremy Foley to search the country for the latest coaches to lead the Gators.

UF junior outfielder Kirsti Merritt smiles as she goes up for an at-bat during Florida's 2-1 win against North Florida on April 1, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

A reason to smile: Gator softball's Kirsti Merritt living out her dream

By Luis Torres | Apr. 21, 2015

Kirsti Merritt can’t stop smiling.

UF's Lauren Haeger fist bumps coach Tim Walton after hitting a home run during Florida's 4-1 win against Illinois State on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Perfect ending: Haeger chasing records in final season

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 14, 2015

When Lauren Haeger arrived at UF, she didn’t expect she’d have the career she has had — a career decorated with conference accolades, school records and the cherry on top – a national championship.

UF head football coach Jim McElwain (center) smiles during practice on Monday at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

‘PLAY THE HAND YOU’RE DEALT’: Florida still holding spring game despite limited roster

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Apr. 9, 2015

Jim McElwain walked to the lectern inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium’s meeting room on March 10 with big-time expectations for his first set of Spring practices as Florida football’s head coach.

UF track and field coach Mike Holloway talks with mid-distance runner Andres Arroyo on the final day of the 2015 Florida Relays on Saturday at the Percy Beard Track.

SPORTS | FEATURES

UF track coach Mike Holloway attributes success to mentor

By Kyle Brutman | Apr. 9, 2015

Before he helped lead the Gators to eight Southeastern Conference championships and five NCAA championships and coaching multiple decorated Olympians, UF track and field coach Mike Holloway was learning the ropes of track and field under Lyle Knudson.

Taylor Tomlinson putts during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Early Success: Gainesville native leading UF in freshman year

By JUSTEN ROSENBERG | Apr. 6, 2015

Deciding where to attend college is arguably one of the hardest decisions a high school student must face.

Workers place the basketball court on the floor at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday March 17, 2015. The second and third rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament will take place this weekend. Tuesday March 17, 2015. The second and third rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament will take place this weekend. (AP Photo/The World-Herald, Matt Miller )

SPORTS | FEATURES

Fanpay hopes to fund student athletes despite NCAA opposition

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Mar. 17, 2015

In 2015, anything and everything can be crowdfunded — from mission trips, to pet veterinary bills to potato salad.