sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Taylor Gushue bats during Florida’s 3-1 win against FSU on March 18 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue was a second-team All-American in 2014 after batting a career-high .318

Sports

O’Sullivan looking for Gushue’s replacement

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 28, 2015

For the past two seasons, Florida baseball has had the luxury of seeing Taylor Gushue as the team’s catcher.

Carlie Needles calls out a play to her teammates during Florida's win against Arkansas.

Sports

Return of Needles, victory over Arkansas encouraging Gators heading into Missouri game

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 28, 2015

It has taken awhile, but the Gators women’s basketball team is finally figuring out how to get the most out of what it has.

Freshman Alex McMurtry competes on the uneven parallel bars during Florida's win against Auburn on Friday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Alex McMurtry producing for UF gymnastics despite back pain

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 27, 2015

Many gymnasts likely wish they had half the talent of Alex McMurtry.

The Gators began their championship run with a bang after Delanie Gourley no-hit the Rattlers in the opening game of the NCAA Regionals.
In a shortened five-inning contest (UF run ruled FAMU 8-0), Gourley struck out seven and only surrendered one walk.
She recorded Florida’s 15th no-hitter in program history and the first ever during the postseason.

Sports

Delanie Gourley has room to grow in sophomore year

By Luis Torres | Jan. 27, 2015

Delanie Gourley was an anomaly entering her freshman season on the UF softball team.

Outfielder Harrison Bader bats during Florida’s 4-0 win against Ole Miss on March 31, 2013, at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

UF baseball focused on returning to College World Series

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 27, 2015

The Florida baseball team was satisfied with how the story of its 2014 season played out.

Mark Parrish (left) and Jimmy Clark run during the SEC Championships on Nov. 1 in Gainesville. The NCAA Championships begin today.

Sports

Florida track and field still has room to improve despite early season success

By Kyle Brutman | Jan. 27, 2015

Despite his men’s squad losing its top spot in the USTFCCCA rankings, coach Mike Holloway said he was pleased with how the Gators men’s and women’s track and field teams have performed across the board.

Richie Martin hits during Florida’s 9-7 loss against Maryland on Feb. 15 at McKethan Stadium. Martin went 3-for-3 at the plate and scored three runs in UF's 8-2 win against USF on Tuesday.

Sports

Richie Martin improving mental play

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 27, 2015

Before he returned to Florida for the start of spring practice, shortstop Richie Martin did some light reading.

UF men's tennis coach Bryan Shelton walks on the Ring Tennis Complex courts prior to Florida's 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22

Sports

UF men’s tennis learning from first loss

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Jan. 27, 2015

They say the first cut is the deepest.

Sports

Alex McMurtry producing for UF gymnastics despite back pain

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 27, 2015

Many gymnasts likely wish they had half the talent of Alex McMurtry.

Led by first-year head coach JC Deacon, the Florida men's golf team returned to the NCAA Championship last season. Here's Ryan Summer's story on the occasion (http://www.alligator.org/sports/golf/article_982fe4ae-fdf2-11e4-833b-83c78d3e0d3f.html)

Sports

Alejandro Tosti making quick impact for UF men’s golf team

By Luis Torres | Jan. 27, 2015

There’s a new face hanging around the Florida men’s golf team.

Coach Roland Thornqvist looks down the courts of the Ring Tennis Complex during Florida's 4-0 win against Louisville on Aug. 25.

Sports

UF women’s tennis on a roll after weekend sweeps

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Jan. 26, 2015

Florida’s women’s tennis team got off to a positive start to its dual season.

Carlie Needles dribbles the ball down the court during Florida's 77-42 loss to No. 1 South Carolina on Jan. 19 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Carlie Needles’ return gives Gators women’s basketball boost in win against Arkansas

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 26, 2015

Three weeks of nothing but losses can destroy a team’s confidence.

Coach Tim Walton was more than happy to empty his bench in Florida's 19-3 win over Florida A&M on Wednesday. “I think overall the main priority is to get everybody at-bats and to keep our timing right," he said.

Sports

UF softball loaded with talent heading into 2015 season

By Patrick Pinak | Jan. 26, 2015

Florida’s softball team is deep.

Kennedy Baker performs on the balance beam during Florida's 197.20-195.65 win against Auburn on Jan. 16 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Faehn looking at UF gymnastics with glass-half-full mentality

By GRAHAM HACK | Jan. 26, 2015

If Rhonda Faehn were evaluating the contents of a glass half-filled with water, she would likely point out that the water vapor in the air-filled half means the glass is more than half-full.

New head football coach Jim McElwain speaks at his opening press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Recruiting roundup: Jabari Zuniga flips, Rick Wells commits, Cece Jefferson visited

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 26, 2015

Jim McElwain landed two more verbal commits from the recruiting trail on Monday.

New head football coach Jim McElwain speaks at his introductory press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

2016 commit Rick Wells' path to Florida started months ago

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Jan. 26, 2015

Florida has landed its second commitment in as many days, this time a 2016 commitment in wide receiver Rick Wells.

Brianna Morgan hits a two-handed backhand during Florida's 4-0 win against Elon on Saturday at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

UF sweeps competition, advances to ITA Indoors

By CAYLEE UNDERWOOD | Jan. 25, 2015

After a 4-0 debut against Elon on Saturday, the No. 2 UF women’s tennis team continued to hold ground on the second day of the ITA Kick Off Weekend.

January Miller drives into the lane during Florida's 72-58 win against Arkansas on Sunday in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

January Miller leads Florida women’s basketball to win over Arkansas

By GRAHAM HALL | Jan. 25, 2015

Winless in their last four games, the Florida women’s basketball team received some much-needed rest last week for the program to decompress and recover from the strain of the Southeastern Conference schedule.

Florida's Marquis Dendy reacts after competing in the long jump at the NCAA track and field championships on June 12 in Eugene, Ore. Dendy became the first athlete to win both the long jump and the triple jump at the NCAA Outdoors since 2002.

Sports

UF track and field sets records at Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational

By Kyle Brutman | Jan. 25, 2015

Coach Mike Holloway and his No. 1 Gators men’s and women’s track teams left Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday with plenty to smile about.

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

UF swim teams top Auburn

By Mary Francis | Jan. 25, 2015

Heading into the weekend with just two dual meets remaining in the season, the Florida swimming and diving teams looked to make a strong push to qualify their athletes for the NCAA Championship.