sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Gators swimmer Kieran Smith comes up to breathe while swimming breaststroke. Smith pulled in seven medals Friday, including four gold

Sports

Current and former UF swimmers made a splash in the 2020 U.S. Open

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 15, 2020

The Gators shined at the U.S. Open, racking up eight medals by the end of the three-day meet.

Gators coach Becky Burleigh consoles her team in 2015 after a 2-1 loss at the hands of Texas A&M. Burleigh has been at the helm for Florida since 1995.

Sports

Firing Becky Burleigh would be a ridiculous overreaction

By Declan Walsh | Nov. 15, 2020

Florida soccer's 6-5 comeback victory over Kentucky on Friday quelled pleas to fire head coach Becky Burleigh in favor of adoration toward the team’s performance.

Florida wide receiver Trevon Grimes at Saturday night’s game versus Arkansas at The Swamp. Grimes led the team in reception yards on Nov. 14, amassing 109 yards on six catches.

Sports

Gators prove offense is more than just “Kyle to Kyle”

By Brendan Farrell | Nov. 15, 2020

“Kyle to Kyle” has been the talk of the town in Gainesville ever since tight end Kyle Pitts’ breakout year in 2019 with Kyle Trask under center.

Gators quarterback Kyle Trask prepares to throw the football in Florida's game versus Arkansas at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Nov. 14, 2020.

Sports

Gators wallop Arkansas in Franks’ return to Gainesville

By Christian Ortega | Nov. 14, 2020

Musician Paul Simon repeated himself at the risk of being crude, saying there must be 50 ways to leave your lover. The Gators put Feleipe Franks and their history in the past and found more than 60.

Cassidy Lindley at the Gators' game versus Tennessee earlier this season. Florida snapped its six-game losing streak Friday night with a redeeming win over Kentucky in the first game of the 2020 SEC Tournament.

Sports

UF erases two-goal deficit in 6-5, overtime thriller

By Declan Walsh | Nov. 14, 2020

In a disappointing season for UF full of external skepticism, injuries, quarantines and close losses, head coach Becky Burleigh maintained one thing: her team doesn’t give up.

Redshirt senior Parker Roberts at the Gators' home game versus Tennessee this season. Roberts and her teammates are excited for a clean slate at the 2020 SEC Tournament.

Sports

“New season” begins for Florida at SEC Tournament

By Declan Walsh | Nov. 13, 2020

With Florida’s current losing streak standing at a program-record six games, senior Parker Roberts and her teammates have embraced Friday’s SEC Tournament opener as a new start.

Wide receiver Trevon Grimes stretches to catch the football ball thrown by Gators quarterback Kyle Trask and score a touchdown for Florida against Georgia at TIAA Bank Field on Nov. 7, 2020.

Sports

Gators offense hasn’t been as electric in the second half

By Brendan Farrell | Nov. 13, 2020

Wide receiver Trevon Grimes brushed past Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell’s press coverage and streaked toward the end zone. Quarterback Kyle Trask identified that Grimes had a step on his man and lobbed a pass toward the end zone.

Sports

UF women’s swimming and diving officially completes incoming class

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 13, 2020

Florida’s women’s swimming and diving team officially completed its incoming freshman class for the 2021-22 season. UF will welcome nine women to the program next year.

Florida volleyball coach Mary Wise stands with her team in a huddle.

Sports

UF falls to South Carolina for the first time since 2006, suffers first defeat of the season

By Noah Ram | Nov. 12, 2020

Florida came into this shortened 2020 season with title dreams, but there was one thing it had yet to deal with this campaign:

Sports

Gators ranked first in 2021 baseball recruiting rankings

By Ryan Haley | Nov. 12, 2020

Baseball America revealed its 2021 recruiting rankings Wednesday, and the Florida Gators were in the top position as they lead the nation in top-50 and top-100 ranked prospects committed.

Sports

UF women’s swim and dive secures first signee

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 11, 2020

The Gators announced Anna Auld as the first official signee to the Gators’ 2021 women’s swimming and diving class on Wednesday.

Holly Carlton at last year's home game versus Kentucky. Carlton had an impressive showing in South Carolina to help the Gators win their first match against a ranked opponent in 2020.

Sports

Carlton’s 10 kills lifts No. 4 Gators to victory versus No. 15 South Carolina

By Zachary Huber | Nov. 11, 2020

Redshirt senior Holly Carlton spent most of her offseason alone because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former Gator Ryan Lochte competes in a time trial at the U.S national swimming championships in Stanford, California, Wednesday, July 31, 2019. Lochte is one of five former UF swimmers that will compete at the U.S. Open this weekend.

Sports

Several UF Swimmers to Compete in US Open

By Sara Kate Dyson | Nov. 11, 2020

The 2020 Toyota US Open swim meet is set to begin on Thursday and will feature competition between elite swimmers in the southeast region, including 18 current and five former male Gators.

Sports

Gators add Miguel Leal to 2021 class

By Michael Hull | Nov. 11, 2020

The Gators men’s golf team added Miguel Leal to its 2021 class Wednesday.

Sports

Gators sign highly-rated distance runner Michael Fiore

By Myles Herbert | Nov. 11, 2020

Incoming freshman Michael Fiore signed with UF, the Gators announced Wednesday.

Gators volleyball coach Mary Wise shouts from the sideline

Sports

Gators ink four recruits to their 2021 class

By Zachary Huber | Nov. 11, 2020

Florida added four new players to its 2021 recruiting class, even though there has been a recruiting dead period in place since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sports

Gators bolster recruiting class with addition of Ester Fägersten

By Michael Hull | Nov. 11, 2020

The Florida women’s golf team received a huge boost to their 2021 recruiting class, adding Swedish golfer Ester Fägersten to their list of commits.

Sports

Gators announce tennis transfer for 2021

By Ryan Haley | Nov. 11, 2020

The Gators announced Mattias Siimar, a senior from The University of Michigan, will be joining the Florida tennis program as a graduate transfer for the 2021 season, the team announced via social media Wednesday.

Then-UF quarterback Feleipe Franks at the Gators' game versus UT Martin last season. Franks will make his return to The Swamp Nov. 14 in a Razorbacks uniform.

Sports

Feleipe Franks: Same QB1, different jersey

By Christian Ortega | Nov. 11, 2020

There’s no love lost between defenses and quarterbacks.

Defensive back Kaiir Elam (5) at the Gators game versus UGA Nov. 7.

Sports

Cocktail party over for Mullen, Gators after beating Georgia. Now it’s back to work

By Christian Ortega | Nov. 11, 2020

What’s worse than an unreachable itch that no contortionist can scratch? Like a parasite digging into a reptile’s nooks and crannies to satisfy its bloodlust?