sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Sophomore Gordon Watson hits the ball during Florida's 5-2 win against North Florida on Jan. 22.

Sports

Watson's adjustments help Gators clinch meet

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Jan. 25, 2014

Mental adjustments made a huge difference for Florida sophomore Gordon Watson entering the ITA Kickoff.

Sports

Florida captures seven event victories and two meet records

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Jan. 25, 2014

Mike Holloway wasn’t ecstatic with the men’s team after not meeting expectations in the distance medley relay on the opening day of the Rod McCravy Memorial. He didn’t let the runners forget either.

Sports

Distance medley relay anchors Gators first day of Rod McCravy Memorial

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Jan. 24, 2014

Running in the distance medley relay (DMR) requires the poise of four athletes to run nearly 2.5 miles.

Bridget Sloan performs a flip on the balance beam during Florida’s win against Kentucky on Feb. 22, 2013, in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Gators record-night seals home-opener victory

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 24, 2014

When Bridget Sloan finished her floor routine Friday night, the crowd of more than 10,000 fans who gathered to see Florida (3-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) compete against Georgia (2-3, 1-1 SEC) erupted.

Senior Sebastien Rousseau swims the butterfly in the men’s 400-meter individual medley on Aug. 28 in the Pinch A Penny All Florida Invitational. Rousseau and the Gators start competition at the NCAA Championships today.

Sports

Accomplished seniors looking to continue success down home stretch

By Logan McGuire | Jan. 24, 2014

With the collegiate swimming and diving regular season nearing a close, the college careers for captains senior Elizabeth Beisel and redshirt senior Sebastien Rousseau are coming to an end as well. Saturday’s dual meet against Auburn will mark the final home meet for the two Olympians along with five other seniors on the women’s side and six more for the men.

Michael Frazier II (20) is pressured by Alabama’s Algie Key (0) during the No. 6 Gators’ 68-62 win against the Crimson Tide in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday. Frazier scored 18 points against Alabama.

Sports

Struggling Frazier turns Tide after slump

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 23, 2014

Although No. 6 Florida has moved away from being a traditional three-point shooting team this season, it needed to return to its old ways during Thursday night’s 68-62 win over Alabama.

Coach Amanda Butler and guard Carlie Needles stand on the sideline during Florida’s 68-62 loss to Georgia on Sunday in the O’Connell Center. Needles scored six points on two three-point shots in Florida’s 89-69 loss to Tennessee on Thursday at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn.

Sports

Florida drops third consecutive conference game

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 23, 2014

Rebounding the ball was not an issue on Thursday night for the Gators, but rebounding from their current losing streak is.

Bridget Sloan sticks a landing during Florida’s 196.575-190.55 win against Ball State on Jan. 4, 2013, in the O’Connell Center. Sloan won two events when Florida faced Georgia in the NCAA Super Six.

Sports

Gators to make home debut after starting season with two wins

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 23, 2014

For the first time in 2014, the Gators will have home-floor advantage.

Hugh Graham Jr. (left) hugs Arman Hall after winning the 4x400m relay during the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore., on Jun. 8, 2013.

Sports

Sophomore runner succeeding as Florida’s 4x400 anchor

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Jan. 23, 2014

In relays, the anchor position is given to the fastest or most experienced competitor on a team.

Belinda Woolcock attempts to hit the ball at the Bedford Cup at the Ring Tennis Complex on Oct. 13, 2013.

Sports

UF making home debut at ITA Kickoff

By IAN COHEN | Jan. 23, 2014

The No. 2 Florida women’s tennis team begins its season as hosts of the ITA Kickoff opening rounds this Saturday at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Sports

Top-15 doubles duo seeking redemption after first defeat

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Jan. 23, 2014

Coming off a 5-2 victory against UNF, coach Bryan Shelton and the Gators look to improve to 2-0 as they take on UNC-Wilmington on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the ITA Kickoff at the Ring Tennis Complex.

Billy Donovan studies the court during Florida’s 74-58 win against South Carolina on Jan. 8 in the O’Connell Center. Donovan’s former assistant, Anthony Grant, is the coach at Alabama.

Sports

UF hoping to avoid late deficit at ‘Bama

By LANDON WATNICK< | Jan. 22, 2014

Florida’s two wins against Alabama last season were not easy victories by any means.

Jaterra Bonds looks for an opening during Florida’s 68-62 loss against Georgia on Jan. 19 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Gators look to end skid against Vols

By GORDON STREISAND< | Jan. 22, 2014

The Gators’ Southeastern Conference schedule comes to a head tonight.

Sports

NFL should end extra point, other sports’ rules should change

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Jan. 22, 2014

Every now and then, Grantland.com attempts to write the worst sports column on Earth. Today, Adam will try, too.

Elliott Orkin attempts to hit the ball during his singles match against UNF on Jan. 22.

Sports

Freshman leads Florida to victory in first dual match of season

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Jan. 22, 2014

Elliott Orkin waited a long time to play college tennis, and he played a decisive role in his first collegiate dual match.

DeVon Walker attempts a layup down the lane during Florida’s 72-50 win against Georgia on Jan. 14 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Bench contributors playing major role

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 21, 2014

If there ever were a point during Billy Donovan’s tenure at Florida when he needed a deep bench, this would be the year.

Chris Walker (middle) watches from the bench during Florida’s 74-58 win against South Carolina on Jan. 8 in the O’Connell Center. The NCAA has not cleared Walker to play for the Gators.

Sports

Florida still awaiting news of Walker eligibility

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Jan. 21, 2014

Orlando’s WFTV sports anchor Christian Bruey reported Monday night via his Twitter account (@CBrueyWFTV) that freshman forward Chris Walker, who is awaiting an NCAA waiver to play, would be cleared following Florida’s matchup with Alabama on Thursday night.

Loucheiz Purifoy sacks Georgia’s Aaron Murray (11) for a safety at EverBank Field on Nov. 2, 2013, in Jacksonville. Florida is looking for one of its recruits to replace Purifoy’s production after he left for the NFL Draft.

Sports

Gators planning to extend defensive dominance with top recruits

By MORGAN MORIARTY | Jan. 21, 2014

The true foundation for any elite defense doesn’t start on a collegiate field.

Sports

Sophomore looks to build on decorated freshman season

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Jan. 21, 2014

Bridget Sloan’s 2013 campaign ended with the Southeastern Conference Freshman Gymnast of the Year award.

Gordon Watson hits a ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against St. John’s on Jan. 6, 2013. The junior won the singles event of the Gainesville ITA Circuits Draw on Monday.

Sports

Gators open season ranked No. 15

By BRITNEE MCCOY< | Jan. 21, 2014

The Florida men's tennis team will kickoff its dual-match season at home against North Florida on Wednesday at 3 p.m.