sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Throwers coach Steve Lemke (left) and coach Mike Holloway walk across the field at Percy Beard Track at Pressly Stadium during the 2012 Florida Relays. Seventeen Gators qualified Sunday for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, which are set to begin June 5.

Sports

Senior sprinter finishing strong

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 18, 2013

Ebony Eutsey’s high school track and field resume was sparkling.

Senior Billy Federhofer prepares to backhand the ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against St. John’s on Jan. 26 at Linder Stadium. Federhofer dropped his last set 1-6 to end the Gators' 4-3 loss in the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

Sports

Senior returning for SEC tournament

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 18, 2013

Florida could see the return of senior Billy Federhofer when it begins postseason play.

Senior Sam Farrell runs down the field during Florida’s 16-9 win against Stony Brook on Feb. 20 at Dizney Stadium. UF will clinch the American Lacrosse Conference championship outright win a win against Northwestern on Saturday and a Penn State loss.

Sports

Slight defensive decline hinders Gators’ conference title chances

Apr. 18, 2013

Florida has come up short on defense during American Lacrosse Conference play, a trend that could prove troubling in the final weekend of the season.

Senior T.J. Vogel eyes his shot during the SunTrust Gator Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course on Sunday. Vogel is back with the Gators after competing in The Masters.

Sports

UF begins SEC Championship tourney as No. 2 seed

By RJ Schaffer | Apr. 18, 2013

The Gators are about to face one of their toughest tests this year.

UTEP defensive coordinator Jeff Choate was hired as Florida’s special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach on Wednesday. Choate was Washington State’s linebackers coach last season.

Sports

Choate named special teams coordinator

By JOE MORGAN< | Apr. 17, 2013

When Dan Quinn left Florida to join the Seattle Seahawks staff on Jan. 17, coach Will Muschamp wasted no time in naming a new defensive coordinator. Muschamp replaced Quinn the same day with special teams coordinator D.J. Durkin.

Taylor Schwarz prepares for the pitch during Florida’s 8-0 win against Arkansas on March 22 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Florida blows out Florida State

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 17, 2013

When Florida and Florida State met up at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on March 27, the two teams played eight innings before a winner prevailed.

Guard Carlie Needles shoots during Florida's 69-58 loss to Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O'Connell Center. Needles hit 34.1 percent of her three-point shots last season.

Sports

Guard looks to build on strong first season

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Apr. 17, 2013

Forgetting that Carlie Needles was a redshirt freshman last season can be easy.

Florida freshman gymnast Bridgette Caquatto performs her floor routine during the NCAA Regionals on April 6 in the O’Connell Center. Caquatto has filled in for injured starters this season.

Sports

Florida overcomes injuries, prepares for championships

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Apr. 17, 2013

Florida’s ability to adapt under any circumstance has fueled another successful season.

Sports

Surf’s up

By Allison Annear | Apr. 16, 2013

Not all beaches are made equal, the surf and the skill level required is different at every beach. With that, here are a few of the best beaches on both coasts of Florida.

Sophomore catcher Taylor Gushue swings Florida’s 14-5 win against South Carolina on April 12 at McKethan Stadium. Gushue leads the Gators with 30 RBI.

Sports

Florida defeats FGCU for sixth consecutive victory

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 16, 2013

The Gators will not stop winning.

A Boston Marathon competitor and Boston police run from the area of an explosion near the finish line in Boston on Monday. (AP Photo/MetroWest Daily News, Ken McGagh)

Sports

Boston Marathon tragedy is strong reminder of priorities

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 16, 2013

At 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon, I walked into ESPN Radio 850/900 in Weimer Hall to prepare for my weekly radio show.

Forward Jennifer George dives for the ball during Florida’s 69-58 loss to Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O’Connell Center. The Indiana Fever selected George with the 33rd overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft on Monday.

Sports

Defending WNBA champions draft former Florida forward

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Apr. 16, 2013

Jennifer George spent Monday night with a group of teammates at the home of Gators assistant coach Murriel Page, waiting to find out if she would be selected in the 2013 WNBA Draft.