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Quarterback Tim Tebow (15) embraces wide receiver Percy Harvin (1) during Florida’s 24-14 win against Oklahoma on Jan. 8, 2009, in the BCS National Championship Game in Miami.

Sports

The Rally: Which Gators first-round NFL draft pick in past 10 years is best?

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 23, 2013

The NFL Draft begins Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York, and former Gators Sharrif Floyd and Matt Elam could both hear their names called on the first night. Nine Florida players have been selected in the first round since 2003. alligatorSports staff writers Adam Pincus and Phillip Heilman debate which former Gator has enjoyed the best NFL career so far.

Florida celebrates during a 4-0 win against Ole Miss on March 31 at McKethan Stadium.

Sports

Offense breaks out after slow start in lopsided win

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 23, 2013

USF pitcher Mike Clarkson had a night he’d like to forget. After the right-hander held Florida to two hits through the first four innings, the Gators sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs on five hits in the fifth en route to a 12-1 victory on Tuesday night at McKethan Stadium.

Lerentee McCray, a potential late-round selection in this week’s NFL Draft, plans to use his new income to help his incarcerated brother, single mother and deported father.

Sports

The Provider: Former Gator chases NFL dream to support family

By GREG LUCA< | Apr. 23, 2013

When they arrived at Union Correctional Institution after an 85-mile drive from their home in Ocala, Lerentee McCray and his mother, Sybil, were met by a gaunt figure.

Ian and Lynn Millinoff coach the Gainesville Buchholz High girls' lacrosse team. The team rents a field at the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County for practices and games.

Sports

Nowhere to Go: Local lacrosse teams struggle to find fields

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 23, 2013

When 11- and 12-year-old lacrosse players run up and down the fields at Diamond Sports Park, Lynn Millinoff occasionally has to go from facilitator to active participant.

Senior attacker Kitty Cullen looks to score against UAlbany on Feb. 24 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Cullen scored two goals in her final game for the Gators.

Sports

UF earns No. 1 seed in conference tourney after blowout win

Apr. 22, 2013

The Gators made unexpected history on Saturday at Dizney Stadium.

Junior third baseman Stephanie Tofft swings during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Junior thriving at plate

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 22, 2013

Stephanie Tofft transferred from Northern Illinois to Florida before the season, hoping to make a splash with her new team. She didn’t.

Sophomore Kytra Hunter performs her floor routine during the NCAA Regionals on April 6 in the O’Connell Center. Florida won its first national championship on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Sports

Gators excel on floor in national title meet

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Apr. 22, 2013

The 2012 NCAA Championships came down to the final routine for the Gators in Duluth, Ga.

Junior Jonathon Crawford warms up on the mound during Florida’s 3-2 win against South Carolina on April 11 at McKethan Stadium. Crawford and No. 3 seed Florida will face No. 2 seed Austin Peay in its first NCAA Tournament game on Friday.

Sports

Florida needs more innings from starting staff

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 22, 2013

The UF baseball team has every right to be pleased.

Sophomore outside hitter Noami Santos-Lamb stands on the court prior to Florida’s 3-0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-12) win against FIU on Aug. 24 in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Sophomore outside hitter returning to court after knee injury

By JOE MORGAN< | Apr. 22, 2013

Noami Santos-Lamb is healthy and ready to get going.

Florida celebrates its victory at the NCAA Championships on April 20 in Los Angeles. The Gators became the fifth gymnastics program to win a national title.

Sports

Faehn-tastic: UF wins first title

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Apr. 21, 2013

The Gators were not finishing second again this year.

Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.

Sports

Florida clinches fourth consecutive SEC title

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 21, 2013

Third-seeded Florida faced No. 1 seed Georgia in the final match of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Sunday, and the Gators swept the Bulldogs 4-0 to win their fourth consecutive conference title and their 19th overall.

Florida players lean on the dugout railing while watching the Gators’ 14-5 win against South Carolina on April 13 at McKethan Stadium. Florida dropped the opener of its three-game series against LSU 3-2 on Thursday.

Sports

Missouri snaps Florida’s eight-game winning streak

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 21, 2013

Florida fell behind for the third straight game against Missouri. Unlike the previous two contests, Sunday’s series finale ended in UF’s first loss in two weeks.

Junior Hannah Rogers waits in the circle during Florida’s 4-2 win against Mississippi State on April 6 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers threw 288 pitches in 15 innings of work in the Southeastern Conference Tournament last weekend.

Sports

Junior ace breaks out of slump by tossing no-hitter

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 21, 2013

After three mediocre starts against Mississippi State and Kentucky, Hannah Rogers had something to prove.

Junior Alexandra Cercone swings during Florida’s 7-0 victory against Baylor on Feb. 2 at Linder Stadium.

Sports

The Fighter: Junior rising to occasion for championship team

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 21, 2013

To teammate Lauren Embree, Alexandra Cercone is a “fighter.”

Senior Lauren Embree returns a ball during Florida’s 4-1 win against Georgia on March 15. Embree lost to Stanford's Nicole Gibbs 6-0, 6-1 as the Cardinal defeated the Gators 4-3 to advance to the NCAA title match.

Sports

Florida advances to SEC Tournament final

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Apr. 20, 2013

After falling to Southeastern Conference newcomer Texas A&M in the regular season, Florida got its revenge.

Freshman outfielder Harrison Bader slides into home during Florida's 14-5 win against South Carolina on Saturday. Bader scored a run in the Gators' 7-1 win against the Owls on Tuesday.

Sports

Gators defeat Tigers in 15-inning contest

By ADAM PINCUS< | Apr. 20, 2013

It took 15 innings and nearly five hours before the Gators grabbed their first lead in a Saturday matinee that turned into a Saturday night affair.

Junior Eddie Lovett (left) races in the 55m hurdles at the Gator Invitational in the O’Connell Center.

Sports

Florida posts strong results at Tom Jones Memorial Classic

By GORDON STREISAND< | Apr. 20, 2013

On a damp and chilly day at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic in Gainesville, littered with delays and timekeeping malfunctions, the Gators managed to sweep three events: the men’s hammer throw, men’s 3000m and women’s 1500m.

Junior Hannah Rogers pitches during Florida’s 7-3 win against FSU on March 27 at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Rogers struck out 11 in her complete-game victory against Longwood on Saturday.

Sports

Florida pitching dominates Longwood

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Apr. 20, 2013

Hannah Rogers struggled in her last three appearances against light-hitting Mississippi State and Kentucky, but she dominated a Longwood lineup with three .400 hitters.

Senior Tyler McCumber putts during the SunTrust Gator Invitational on Feb. 10 at Mark Bostick Golf Course.

Sports

Gators improve on second day of SEC tourney

By RJ Schaffer | Apr. 20, 2013

After a disastrous first round of golf for the Gators men’s and women’s golf teams, both teams fared better on the second day of the Southeastern Conference Championships.

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

Gators eliminated from SEC Tournament

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 20, 2013

After failing to earn the doubles point against Tennessee, Florida struggled to climb out of an early 1-0 hole.