Colby Kistner

Golf Reporter

Colby is a sports journalism senior in his second semester with the Alligator covering golf. He has experience covering Buchholz and Santa Fe High School sports and also worked in UF's innovation center where he wrote and created radio content for WRUF. Furthermore, he is interning at Idaho Education News Center in Boise and is looking to minor in business. In his free time, he watches the Seattle Kraken and the NHL as a whole.

Florida women's soccer player Nylah Norris is set to begin her freshman season under head coach Nick Zimmerman in 2026.

Courtesy of UAA Communications

Sports

Florida soccer’s Nylah Norris embraces new era under Nick Zimmerman

By Colby Kistner | July 25

Nylah’s competitive mindset helped shape her path to the University of Florida, where she enters her freshman year under first-year head coach Nick Zimmerman. The connection between the two stems back to Zimmerman’s days as Mississippi State head coach. He recruited Nylah and planned to host her for a visit. However, she decided to commit to the Gators to be closer to her family, who had recently moved from Texas.

Freshman midfielder Mia Gray (left) joined the Gators for spring training ahead of the 2026 season.

Courtesy of UAA Communications

Sports

New York to Florida: Mia Gray’s path to UF soccer

By Colby Kistner | June 29

The Rochester, New York, native visited in August 2024 and wasn’t sure at first if she would make it because of the forecast. The first day was clear, but Hurricane Debby made landfall the second day. The midfielder’s flight back home was canceled and she stayed a few extra days.

Florida women's basketball coach Tammi Reiss is introduced to fans at the Orange & Blue Spring Game April 11, 2026

Courtesy of UAA Communications

Sports

Meet Tammi Reiss: the ultimate builder

By Colby Kistner | June 12

From a standout college athlete at Virginia to the new Gators women’s basketball head coach, Reiss has kept the same poise throughout. Her journey started around 45 years ago when the Eldred, New York, native was in sixth grade. Geno Auriemma, Virginia women’s basketball assistant coach at the time, sent her an offer letter to Cathy Rush Basketball Camp. There, Reiss got a glimpse of what college and professional basketball were like.

Florida’s Parker Bell tees off during the Gators Invitational, an NCAA golf tournament, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Caroline Walsh

Sports

Florida falls to Oklahoma State in match play quarterfinals

By Colby Kistner | June 2

From the start of the match play quarterfinals, Oklahoma State was stacking birdies against Florida, averaging about six per golfer.

Florida’s Jack Turner sets up a putt during the Gators Invitational, an NCAA golf tournament, at the Mark Bostick Golf Course, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Caroline Walsh

Sports

Florida advances to national championship match play

By Colby Kistner | June 1

After going a combined 5-over-par in the first two rounds, the Gators were out of the top 15. It looked as if they wouldn’t even make it past the top-15 cut. However, No. 2 UF prevailed as it has all season, posting a 284 (-4) in Round 3. Then, the Gators scored a tournament-best 276 (-12) in Round 4, advancing to match play.

Freshman midfielder Courtney Hogan pursues a ball for Florida soccer.

Courtesy of UAA Communications

Sports

Meet Courtney Hogan, the midfielder moving to Gainesville from the Pacific Coast

By Colby Kistner | June 1

Hogan committed to Starkville, Mississippi, in September 2024 and decommitted 15 months later when the University of Florida hired Zimmerman as its next soccer head coach.He recruited Hogan to the Gators later that month, and she signed with them at the beginning of the new calendar year.

Florida women's golf assistant coach Ashley Sease talks with junior Paula Francisco before tee off during the Gators Invitational golf tournament, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Caroline Walsh

Sports

Florida eliminated in top-eight cut of national championship

By Colby Kistner | May 25

Thanks to a rough Round 4, UF couldn’t continue its upward climb and missed out on match play, accumulating an 1168 (+16). It finished in 11th and five strokes behind eighth-place Pepperdine.

A UF women’s golf athlete swings her club at Mark Bostick Golf Course during the Women’s Golf Invitational in March 2024.

Alligator Archives

Sports

Florida women’s golf finishes third in Tallahassee Regional, advances to national championship

By Colby Kistner | May 13

Florida women's golf finished third in the Tallahassee Regional with an 861 (-3), five strokes behind first-place Wake Forest. The third-place finish extended the Gators’ regional victory drought to nine seasons.

Florida head coach Jon Sumrall breaks the post-game huddle after the Orange & Blue spring football game, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Noah Lantor

Sports

Florida lands four 2027 commits in first week of May

By Colby Kistner | May 11

Florida football and head coach Jon Sumrall are aware of the importance of loading up on the 2027 recruiting trail. And they’ve been killing it. The Gators are ranked No. 5 in the 2027 recruiting class by 247Sports.

Florida Gators infielder Landon Stripling (13) helmet taps with teammate Brody Donay (29) after hitting his first home run of the season.

Noah Lantor

Sports

Stripling, Cyr lead No. 21 Florida to run-rule win over UNF

By Colby Kistner | May 5

Florida (32-17, 13-11 SEC) won its sixth game of the season in run-rule fashion, downing UNF (26-21), 11-1.