Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Bridget Sloan performs on the balance beam during the Southeastern Conference Championships on March 21 at the Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia. Sloan scored a 9.95 on the event.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF gymnastics takes season opener against TWU

By Alejandro López | Jan. 8, 2016

Talk about a season-opening statement.

Aubree Munro catches during Florida's 7-1 win against Kansas on Feb. 21 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Four Gators named to softball USWNT

By Brian Lee | Jan. 8, 2016

Florida will be well represented when the USA Softball Women’s National Team competes internationally this Summer.

Jordan Cronkrite runs into the end zone for a touchdown during Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: A way-too-early list of Florida football players to watch in 2016

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 7, 2016

After a lackluster ending to the 2015 season, Jim McElwain and the Florida football team now turn their attention to Spring practice. The Gators return a plethora of starters -- most notably All-Southeastern Conference corner Jalen Tabor, freshman phenom Antonio Callaway and prolific punter Johnny Townsend. But for each starter coming back, Florida sees a veteran heading to the NFL.

UF coach Mike White reacts after a play during Florida’s 77-63 win against Georgia on Jan. 2, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Mike White frustrated with loss, lack of effort against Tennessee

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 7, 2016

To say that Florida struggled against Tennessee on Wednesday would be putting it lightly.

UF coach Jim McElwain laughs with players after practice on Dec. 4, 2015, prior to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Jim McElwain talks recruiting on Finebaum

By Luis Torres | Jan. 7, 2016

With the season now over for the Gators, coach Jim McElwain and his staff have shifted their efforts to recruiting.

Freshman Caeleb Dressel jumps into the pool at the start of the 200-yard breaststroke event during Day 3 of the 2014 Pinch A Penny Invitational

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Caeleb Dressel and Natalie Hinds leads UF swimming and diving into Spring

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 7, 2016

Caeleb Dressel is ready to break more records.

UF safety Keanu Neal (42) jumps in an attempt to block FSU kicker Roberto Aguayo's field goal attempt during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State on Nov. 28, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Hard-hitting safety Keanu Neal declares for NFL draft

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 6, 2016

Keanu Neal will not return to Florida for his senior season.

UF’s Dorian Finney-Smith looks to pass during Florida’s 77-63 win against Georgia on Jan.2, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida men's basketball trounced by Tennessee

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Jan. 6, 2016

Some complain that the Tennessee orange is ugly, but it wasn’t the ugliest thing on the court Wednesday night.

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, left, talks with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, right, in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015. Oklahoma City won 122-112. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators in the NBA: Billy Donovan’s Thunder continue winning ways, Beal sidelined

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 6, 2016

Billy Donovan and the Thunder are rolling.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators in the NFL: Jordan Reed shining with Redskins

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 6, 2016

The Redskins are one of the hottest NFL teams headed into the playoffs, and one of the biggest reasons has been the emergence of former UF tight end Jordan Reed.

Amanda Butler calls out a play during Florida's 64-56 loss to No. 6 Tennessee on Feb. 8 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Assistant coaches bring energy to Gators women's basketball

By Ethan Bauer | Jan. 6, 2016

When the Gators take the court tonight against No. 12 Tennessee, one of the team’s greatest assets won’t see any game time.

UF coach Mike Holloway talks with Andres Arroyo during the Florida Relays on April 4, 2015, at the Percy Beard Track.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Young Florida team looks to end NCAA championship drought

By Lauren Staff | Jan. 6, 2016

The University of Florida’s men’s and women’s track and field teams seem ready.

UF coach Roland Thornqvist talks with Brianna Morgan during Florida's 4-0 win against Maryland on Jan. 25, 2015, at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF women’s tennis aiming for success in NCAA tournament

By Jake Dreilinger | Jan. 6, 2016

The No. 3 Florida women’s tennis team is riding into its spring season on a wave of momentum following successful Spring and Fall seasons.

UF coach Mike White talks with guard KeVaughn Allen during Florida’s 77-63 win against Georgia on Jan.2, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators men's basketball seeking consistency against Volunteers

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 5, 2016

It didn’t seem as if Mike White was asking for much.

UF running back Kelvin Taylor carries the ball during Florida's 41-7 loss to Michigan on Jan. 1, 2016, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Kelvin Taylor's departure from UF marked by highs and lows

By Luis Torres | Jan. 5, 2016

ORLANDO — Kelvin Taylor’s Florida career had its share of ups-and-downs.

UF defensive lineman Jon Bullard (90) goes for a tackle during Florida's 28-27 win against Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Jonathan Bullard made last season at UF count

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 5, 2016

ORLANDO — Jonathan Bullard’s senior season ended on a subdued note — three tackles, no sacks or tackles for loss and a 41-7 drubbing from Michigan.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Notebook: Linebacker leaves Gators, top recruit commits to UF

By Luis Torres | Jan. 5, 2016

Redshirt junior linebacker Jeremi Powell will not finish his career as a member of the Gators.

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton reacts during Florida's 9-3 win against William & Mary on Jan. 10, 2015 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men's tennis eyes elusive conference championship

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 5, 2016

UF men’s tennis coach Bryan Shelton has had three years to bring some hardware back to Gainesville: a Southeastern Conference title, a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, individual postseason titles.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida linebacker Jeremi Powell no longer on team

By Luis Torres | Jan. 5, 2016

Redshirt junior linebacker Jeremi Powell will not finish his career as a member of the Gators.

UF cornerback Vernon Hargreaves kneels in the end zone for a touchback during Florida's 41-7 loss to Michigan in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2016, in Orlando.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Hargreaves struggles against Michigan, readies for NFL Draft

By Luis Torres | Jan. 4, 2016

ORLANDO — This wasn’t the way Vernon Hargreaves expected to end his Florida career.