Sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

Junior point guard Scottie Wilbekin dribbles down the court during Florida’s 64-52 win against Alabama on March 2 in the O’Connell Center. Wilbekin is playing in his third Sweet 16 as a Gator.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators begin chapter in new rivalry tonight in Sweet 16

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 28, 2013

At 6:35 p.m. on Monday, a new rivalry was born.

Senior Isabelle Lendl chips a shot onto the green. Lendl finished tied for 32nd at the Bryan National Collegiate this weekend.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators expect improved play in final regular-season tournament

By RJ Schaffer | Mar. 28, 2013

The Gators women’s golf team is looking to rebound in the Bryan National Collegiate this weekend after falling just short of winning their home tournament, the SunTrust Gator Invitational, nearly two weeks ago.

Junior Alaina Johnson performs her routine on the balance beam during Florida’s 196.575-190.55 victory against Ball State on Jan. 4 in the O’Connell Center. Johnson competed for the first time since Jan. 18 at the NCAA Regionals on Saturday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Junior battling nagging back injury

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 28, 2013

No. 1 Florida’s Alaina Johnson has been cleared to participate in gymnastics after missing eight meets because of a stress fracture and stress reaction in her lower back. However, Johnson’s availability as Florida tries to claim its first national title under coach Rhonda Faehn is still in question.

Freshman starting pitcher Jay Carmichael warms up between innings during Florida’s 4-1 win against Kentucky on March 15 at McKethan Stadium. Carmichael only pitched 1.2 innings in April while dealing with arm soreness.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Freshman pitcher aims to continue hot streak tonight

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 28, 2013

Jay Carmichael is no stranger to facing elite Southeastern Conference hitting. The freshman right-hander toes the rubber against No. 11 Ole Miss (22-4, 3-3 SEC) on Friday night at 7 a week after shutting down No. 5 Vanderbilt on the road. Carmichael entered the season as an unknown bullpen commodity. He has since emerged as the Friday night starter, leapfrogging heralded ace Jonathon Crawford.

Bailey Castro bats during an exhibition against Santa Fe on Nov. 7, 2012, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. Castro struck out in a key spot in Florida's 7-3 win against Florida State on Wednesday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators struggle with strikeouts despite explosive offense

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 28, 2013

Bailey Castro strode to the batter’s box with Wednesday’s game against Florida State on the line.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Freshman impressing upperclassmen on defense

Mar. 28, 2013

Out of the 14 players that have gotten to start at least one game this season, Sydney DuPre is the only freshman among the pack, and she has started in all 13 of them.

Sophomore Matt Elliott competes in the 100-yard breaststroke against Tennessee on Feb. 1 at the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators finish strong on first day of NCAA Championships

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Mar. 28, 2013

Marcin Cieslak swam at a new level on the first night of the NCAA finals on Thursday.

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 | SOFTBALL

Gators rally for 7-3 victory against Seminoles in extra innings

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Mar. 27, 2013

Briana Little stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning. Florida’s potential 10th straight victory against rival Florida State was on the line.

Coach Amanda Butler watches during Florida’s 87-54 victory against Alabama on Feb. 3 in the O’Connell Center. UF advanced to the WNIT Elite Eight after defeating Charlotte, the school Butler left to take over as the Gators’ coach in 2007.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Comeback win propels Florida to WNIT Elite Eight

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Mar. 27, 2013

Revenge never tasted so sweet.

Coach Billy Donovan watches from the bench during Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Job openings raise question: Is there enough for Donovan at UF?

By GREG LUCA< | Mar. 27, 2013

Billy Donovan probably isn’t going anywhere. But he has to at least think about the opening at UCLA, right?

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators looking to carry momentum into NCAA Championships

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Mar. 27, 2013

Marcin Cieslak paced Florida at the 2012 NCAA Championships.

Left-handed pitcher Danny Young (15) warms up between innings during Florida’s 4-1 loss to Florida State on March 12 at McKethan Stadium. The freshman allowed two hits in four innings against the Seminoles on Tuesday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Danny Young stepping up in middle innings; Luke Weaver fuels Florida State

By ADAM PINCUS | Mar. 26, 2013

JACKSONVILLE—Florida came inches keeping Florida State from scoring the go-ahead run at The Baseball Grounds. Reactions from both teams told the story. Soft-hitting Florida State shortstop Giovanny Alfonzo raised his right fist in the air in celebration as he crossed first base after singling home Jose Brizuela. The bubble burst in the Florida dugout. After eight-and-a-half innings of sticking with the nation’s No. 2 team, the Gators fell short again.

Zack Powers walks back to the dugout after striking out during Florida’s 4-1 loss to Florida State on March 12, 2013 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida falls to Florida State for second time this season

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Mar. 26, 2013

JACKSONVILLE — Trying to cap off his most dominant performance this year, Danny Young made his biggest mistake of the season.

Junior center Patric Young holds up a fan’s sign following Florida’s 66-40 win against Vanderbilt on March 6 in the O’Connell Center. Young has pulled down 16 rebounds in two NCAA Tournament games this season. Young leads UF with an average of 6.3 boards per game.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Notebook: Junior center more aggressive on boards

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 26, 2013

To prepare for Sunday’s contest against Minnesota, Patric Young channeled his inner Will Muschamp.

Sophomore Kayla Lewis shoots during Florida’s 68-57 loss to Vanderbilt on Feb. 21 in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

UF tipping off WNIT Sweet 16

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Mar. 26, 2013

Rarely does a Florida program — no matter the sport — settle for less than a chance to compete for an NCAA championship. Coach Amanda Butler and the Gators are stuck in that situation this season, but through two games they have made the most of their opportunity in the WNIT.

Redshirt senior guard Jon Halapio (left) blocks Vanderbilt defensive tackle Jared Morse (97) during the Gators’ 31-17 win against the Commodores on Oct. 13 in Nashville, Tenn. Halapio is listed as a starter on Florida's most recent depth chart.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Florida offensive line dealing with injuries, lack of depth

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Mar. 26, 2013

Florida’s spring game will have a different look this year.

Gators sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Burke makes a save against the Tennessee Volunteers during a game in 2011. Burke played the second half in Florida's 3-0 home loss on FSU on Friday night.

SPORTS | SOCCER

Freshman goalie survives fire, debilitating back injury

By CHUCK KINGSBURY< | Mar. 26, 2013

On New Year’s Eve in 2007, UF freshman goalie Nora Neset Gjoen’s house on the island of Sotra in Norway caught on fire. She was trapped with her brother on the third floor. The smoke threatened to overwhelm them.

Redshirt senior guard Mike Rosario (3) celebrates with senior forward Erik Murphy (33) after Florida’s 78-64 victory against Minnesota on Sunday in Austin, Texas.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Guard earns redemption in standout performance

By LANDON WATNICK< | Mar. 25, 2013

Mike Rosario lost focus early in the second half of No. 3 seed Florida’s 79-47 win against Northwestern State on Friday.

Sophomore Johnny Magliozzi warms up between innings during Florida’s 7-4 loss to Florida Gulf Coast on Feb. 24 at McKethan Stadium. Magliozzi and the Gators were eliminated from the NCAA Bloomington Regional on Saturday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Florida should add sophomore closer to starting rotation

By ADAM PINCUS< | Mar. 25, 2013

Junior guard Jaterra Bonds shoots during Florida’s 69-58 win against Arkansas on Feb. 28 in the O’Connell Center. Bonds scored 12 points against Winthrop on Monday.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida routs Winthrop, advances to WNIT’s Sweet 16

By PHILLIP HEILMAN< | Mar. 25, 2013

Jaterra Bonds is ready for a rematch.