Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

UF head coach Jim McElwain talks to his players after Florida's spring game on April 7, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: In defense of participation trophies

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 11, 2017

Before you start commenting that I’m an entitled millennial sh-t for defending participation trophies, please know I recognize your concern. It’s definitely a cliché thing for a 20-year-old to do. But with the number of slam pieces written about the privileged “snowflake” generation and its sense of entitlement, I think there’s something to be said about how participation trophies can actually be a good thing.

UF gymnast Amelia Hundley performs a routine during the NCAA Gainesville Regional on April 1, 2017, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF gymnasts hoping for success in familiar venue

By Lauren Staff | Apr. 11, 2017

In two days, Florida will take to the mats and compete for one of six spots in the NCAA Championships on April 15.

Columbia Firefly outfielder Tim Tebow shares a smile with fans during a Class A minor league baseball game against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thursday, April 6, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. Columbia defeated Augusta 14-7. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators in the MLB: Tebow batting .200 in low-A, O’Day struggling with ERA

By Mari Faiello | Apr. 11, 2017

Despite a rough start to the season for the UF baseball team, which holds a 22-11 record with 21 games left, former Gators are trying to make a name for themselves in the pros.

UF infielder Christian Hicks swings at a pitch during Florida's 3-2 loss in 10 innings to Tennessee on April 8, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida sweeps season series against FSU

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 11, 2017

After four straight games of misery against the Gators, FSU shortstop Taylor Walls tried to avoid another loss. He did so by leading off the game with a home run to right field.

UF pitcher Kelly Barnhill throws a pitch during Florida's 5-0 win against Georgia on April 8, 2017, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Barnhill shines in UF softball's win over UGA

By Cassie Amundson | Apr. 10, 2017

In the top of the fifth inning, sophomore Kelly Barnhill zoomed a ball toward home plate.

Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) drives on Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (7) during second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, April 10, 2017, in Auburn Hills, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Column: Beal leading Wizards, veterans bolstering playoff teams

By Andrew Huang | Apr. 10, 2017

A change in scenery has done wonders for some of the former Gators in the NBA this year. For others, it has done the exact opposite.

UF quarterback Kyle Trask drops back to pass during Florida's Spring game on April 7, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Don’t rush to judgement based on an inconsequential Spring scrimmage

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 10, 2017

We don’t know anything.

UF infielder Christian Hicks throws to first on a ground ball during Florida's 3-2 loss in 10 innings to Tennessee on April 8, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida doesn't have a 'margin for error'

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 10, 2017

There’s a disturbing trend happening to the Gators: too many one-run games.

UF's Ingrid Neel hits a backhand during Florida's 4-2 win against Oklahoma State on Feb. 18, 2017, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators face tough singles challenges against Ole Miss

By Spencer Thompson | Apr. 9, 2017

Ingrid Neel was angry.

Sergio Garcia, of Spain, reacts after making his birdie putt on the 18th green to win the Masters golf tournament after a playoff Sunday, April 9, 2017, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Golf: The world’s most costly conspiracy

By Matt Brannon | Apr. 9, 2017

The Masters, golf’s first major tournament of the year, ended on Sunday. And while Sergio Garcia won, all of us lost.

Janell Wheaton notched a walk-off walk to seal the game for the Gators early Friday morning.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

UF softball team uses defense to clinch series over Georgia

By Skyler Lebron | Apr. 9, 2017

For a group that’s averaged six runs through its first 12 SEC contests, Florida’s defense was its best asset in its game against Georgia on Sunday.

UF reliever Michael Byrne throws a pitch during Florida's 3-2 loss in 10 innings to Tennessee on April 8, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Byrne, Gators salvage final game of UT series

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 9, 2017

Needing clutch outs to preserve a sweep-avoiding win, coach Kevin O’Sullivan turned to the loser.

UF quarterback Feleipe Franks during Florida's Spring game on Friday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Franks should have strong supporting cast

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 9, 2017

As Feleipe Franks took to the lectern to face reporters and cameras, one question stumped him.

UF pitcher Brady Singer walks off the field during Florida's 3-2 loss to Tennessee on April 8, 2017, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida drops series to Tennessee without three key players

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 8, 2017

Dalton Guthrie bobbled the relay throw.

Sammi Burgess looks on during UF's win over Denver on March 25.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators thrash Cincinnati behind Burgess’ career milestone

By Jake Dreilinger | Apr. 8, 2017

When attacker Sammi Burgess lined up for the free-position shot, a lot more was at stake than continuing Florida’s offensive run against Cincinnati.

Kelly Barnhill tosses a pitch in the Gators' 5-0 win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators beat Bulldogs with Barnhill’s complete-game shutout

By Skyler Lebron | Apr. 8, 2017

Kelly Barnhill’s 14th start of the year came in an unorthodox manner.

Linebacker Jeremiah Moon looks on during Florida's Spring football game on April 7, 2017, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Linebackers step up, Toney impresses

By Dylan Dixon | Apr. 7, 2017

The biggest storyline for Florida heading into this spring was its situation at quarterback.

UF running back Jordan Scarlett carries the ball during Florida's Spring game on Friday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators’ rushing attack stalls in Spring game

By Matt Brannon | Apr. 7, 2017

While the biggest question of Florida’s offseason has been the quarterback competition, the Gators used their annual Spring game as an opportunity to find some answers in the running game.

Coach Jim McElwain addresses players following the conclusion of the Spring football game on April 7, 2017.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Winners and losers from Florida’s spring scrimmage

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 7, 2017

Winner: Feleipe Franks, quarterback

Quarterback Kadarius Toney evades a defender during Florida's Spring football game on April 7, 2017.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Column: With Toney in the mix, is the QB battle over?

By Patrick Pinak | Apr. 7, 2017

Sure, Feleipe Franks is ahead in Florida’s quarterback race.