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  • WGYM Liveblog: No. 15 Kentucky at No. 1 Florida

    WGYM Liveblog: No. 15 Kentucky at No. 1 Florida

    The first COVID-19 incident has hit the Gator gymnastics team as tonight, several star athletes will have to miss out in the Link to Pink meet against Kentucky.

    Trinity Thomas, Nya Reed, Savannah Schoenherr, and Sydney Johnson-Scharpf will all be watching from home tonight as they quarantine according to the SEC and UF COVID-19 protocols. This will force the Gators to test their depth, likely allowing senior Alyssa Baumann to make her all-around debut and junior Leah Clapper to return to the three events she showed earlier this year. We may also see the freshmen step in, as Gabbie Gallentine has a strong beam routine to potentially contribute, and Chloi Clark did an exhibition bars routine earlier in the season.

    Tonight will be a true test for the Gators though, as Kentucky is no pushover. Sophomore Raena Worley is ranked No. 10 in the AA nationally, and teammates Josie Angeny and Bailey Bunn are also in the top 40. Worley (FX) and Cally Nixon (VT) are also both ranked in the top 10 on individual events, and Bunn has earned a nod for SEC Freshman of the Week as well. The Gators will have to be on their game if they want to stay undefeated through this difficult blow.

    Join us here for all the excitement at 7pm, and you can watch along on SEC Network.

    6:47pm: Your vault lineup tonight looks a liiiiittle different:

    6:50pm: 10 minutes until this meet is supposed to go live and we’re… watching a baseball game? The fourth inning? I have concerns.

    6:53pm: Oh good, baseball is switching to SECN alternate, we’re seeing the national anthem at Florida briefly. Some athletes still kneeling! Wonderful to see.

    Yes. Baumann has traditionally warmed up her DLO and only ever performed it once, maybe twice. But being in the AA, we could see it tonight. Still, I think assistant coach Burde will be playing it even a little safer than usual tonight, based on the lack of depth.

    Here we goooooo!

    7:02pm: Taylor, VT: FTY, big bounce back, little pike in the hips. A good start, though.

    Bunn, UB: Great opening handstands. Jaeger, caught a little close maybe? Bail is solid. Short last handstand. DLO stuck! Wow!

    7:04pm: Baumann, VT: Just the FTY, leg sep in the air in slow mo. Hop on the landing.

    Davis, UB: First cast to handstand was kinda weird, legs looked bent? Jaeger is good. Bail a little short. DLO, little steadying step to the side.

    https://twitter.com/samisadancer/status/1362916273605214208?s=20

    7:06pm: Foberg, VT: Great to see her back! FTY, better in the air than the previous two. Bounce back on the landing.

    Nixon, UB: Maloney to bail is good. Rushing the handstands a little. Full in sooo high, little adjustment.

    7:08pm: Richards, VT: Just the FTY still, as I suspected. Pretty clean. Small bounce.

    Worley, UB: Great first handstands! Tkachev is lovely. Pak is great, good toe point and leg form. Last handstand solid. Full in stuck! Drops it in like a pro – THAT’S why she’s top 10 in the AA, y’all.

    7:10pm: Lazzari, VT: FTY, STUCK! YES MA’AM!

    Luksik, UB: Huge Ray, little flexed feet, caught it but bumped her feet on the low bar and ended up coming off, oof. Can’t tell handstands from this weird front angle. Short on last handstand, step on the DLO dismount.

    7:13pm: Skaggs, VT: Love seeing her anchor this lineup, what a leader she’s become. FTY, tried sooo hard to stick it but shoulders were too far in front of her feet and she bends forward. Not her greatest moment.

    Angeny, UB: Good ifrst handstands. Jaeger is great, to immediate overshoot, fine I guess. DLO stuck! Kentucky will be able to drop the fall then.

    AFTER ONE: UF 49.125, UK 48.975

    Lazzari leads for the vault title at the moment, 9.875, and Nixon with the same mark leads bars competition.

    https://twitter.com/samisadancer/status/1362918793207566339?s=20
    https://twitter.com/Chazelena/status/1362917873094717441?s=20

    Your bars lineup:

    Don’t know where the change was, but Kentucky is now at 49.075.

    7:25pm: Bunn vaulted and we missed it on the broadcast?? Come on, SECN. Apparently got a 9.8, so a good one.

    Richards, UB: First handstand a little shy? Maloney to bail is good. Owen spotting her a little closer than I’m used to? DLO, kinda whippy, hop forward.

    7:27pm: Magnelli, VT: front handspring pike half, nice height, twist is very open but seemed slow to me somehow. Hop back.

    Gallentine, UB: Horrible camera angle again. Maloney to pak is great. Little bobble as she stood on the low bar, eek. DLO, little adjustment.

    7:29pm: Patterson, VT: Another handspring pike half, cool! Crazy height, bounce on the landing.

    Lazzari, UB: Tkachev is lovely. Good handstand there, pak is clean and floaty. Great last handstand. Full in, stutter step back and to the side.

    7:31pm: Worley, VT: Y1.5, little jump to the front and side.

    Skaggs, UB: Tkachev to pak, sooo clean. Rushed her low bar piro. Great last handstand! DLO, tried too hard to stick again – Skaggs, quit with the try-hard landings! Just be normal.

    7:33pm: Angeny, VT: Y1.5, came in short and had to hop back, a pretty big one.

    Tfw Kentucky has more 10.0 SV vaults than Florida… really hope everyone can be good to go next meet.

    Clapper, UB: Good first handstand. Piked Jaeger, pretty clean. Bail had a little angle in the shoulders. Short on last handstand. Blind full to double tuck, could’ve stuck it but hopped as she saluted.

    7:35pm: Nixon, VT: FTY is super clean and hiiiiigh, little bounce on the landing. Interesting lineup strategy for them.

    Baumann, UB: Her collegiate bars debut!!!! Jaeger is gorgeous! Bail has a little angle again. Good last handstand. DLO, maybe stuck? Maybe small adjustment? Slow mo shows small step sideways. Oh and she’s crying, she’s so happy, so happy for her. We need to put our mask back on though, and y’all, stop hugging her! I know it’s emotional… but COVID.

    AFTER TWO: UF 98.5, UK 98.175

    https://twitter.com/Chazelena/status/1362924203335430144?s=20

    Not to mention that the last time we were talking about an AA debut for her, she had a scary fall in day-before-meet warmup and had to be out for that meet because of concussion protocol… I’m so proud of her. Holy cow.

    7:44pm: Richards, BB: Bhs loso loso, so solid. Switch to straddle, good. Side aerial to back full, stuck! She’s such a solid leadoff for them. Love it.

    7:46pm: Bunn, FX: Double pike, very steady on that landing. Great precision on dance series. 1.5 to front pike, basically stuck. Rudi to close, a little chest down. A great start for them too!

    7:48pm: Skaggs, BB: Wolf turn is good this week. Leap series lovely. Bhs loso, fantastic. Cat leap switch side, nothing flashy but stays steady. Side aerial back full stuck! Gets the stick she’s been fighting for all night.

    7:50pm: Haigis, FX: I’m having Bridgey flashbacks oh Lord. First tumbling pass is solid, though I missed exactly what it was. Long choreo section here. Dance series is good. Double pike is great! A solid two-pass routine.

    7:52pm: Lazzari, BB: Bhs loso loso, think I saw a teeny hesitation but she didn’t budge. Switch to split, just gorgeous. Side aerial back full also stuck! This beam team is on fire tonight.

    7:54pm: Clarke, FX: front double full, little stutter on the landing but keeps it small. Front lay front full, nice control there. Did she do a whip half there or did I hallucinate? Front 1.5 to close, another solid one for Kentucky.

    7:56pm: Baumann, BB: Bhs loso, just so clean and precise, amazing. Switch to split, great extension. Front aerial, steady. Full turn is great. Switch half, one leg a little low? Roundoff 1.5 stuck cold! That will be a great score for her. I personally wouldn’t go 10, but it was excellent.

    7:58pm: Davis, FX: Double pike to start, nice. 1.5 to layout, doesn’t use the extra mat for some reason? A little off on the Rudi to finish, hop forward.

    8:00pm: Clapper, BB: Bhs loso loso, stays steady. Full turn is good. Switch to split, good 180 positions. Side aerial back full, stuck! Big celebration from her, she’s so happy, aww.

    8:02pm: Angeny, FX: Double pike to start, great there. Dance series is lovely. 1.5 to front lay, good control out of it. Double tuck, kinda cowboyed, hops back. Love her ending choreo though, she definitely has that extra something about her.

    8:03pm: Taylor, BB: She has noooo pressure on her, let’s see how she does. Front toss to sissone, that’s nice. Bhs loso, little check there but snaps those arms down. Full turn, makes that leg bobble into a little tap behind herself, very good cover. Bhs gainer full, little hop. Glad they let her go even though they had five hits, what great experience and really shows her versatility.

    8:05pm: Worley, FX: Full in! Very nice. Switch ring to switch side, good control and positions. Front full to front lay, good. Double tuck to finish – why haven’t I watched this routine yet this season? This was stellar.

    AFTER THREE: UF 148.175, UK 147.475

    Scoring on floor seems a little low, we’ll see if that continues for the home team.

    Someone screen recorded Trinity Thomas’s Insta story as she watched Baumann’s bars from home – I’m not crying, you’re crying! What sweet friendship!

    https://twitter.com/whiptotriple/status/1362930074543132676?s=20

    Another score adjustment for Kentucky: Bunn’s floor was raised to a 9.825, bringing them up to 147.525.

    8:14pm: Haigis, BB: Small check, ooh, larger a little, on her series. Fun dance sequence in there. Beat to sheep, oof, awkward legs and stutters as she lands. Front aerial, much better. Roundoff 1.5, little slide back.

    8:16pm: Clapper, FX: Double back to start, takes it riiiight to the line but stays in. 1.5 to front lay to stag, lovely. Switch side to Popa, good straddle positions. Double pike, flag goes up as she goes OOB. A good start, wish she’d been in able to stay in though.

    8:18pm: Magnelli, BB: Gorgeous triple series! Switch side, solid. Full turn, super confident. Roundoff 1.5, hop forward. She’s got that beam queen quality to her, I loved that.

    8:20pm: Skaggs, FX: Keeps that double wolf turn under control this week. Rudi to split leap, nice. Her extension and flexibility is just… I have a big ol’ heart eyes emoji on my face right now. Combo pass to finish, solid control. Another great one for the Gators!

    8:22pm: Nixon, BB: Little lineup change here. Bhs loso, lovely long extension there. Switch to split, lovely toe point. Front aerial to split jump, little hesitation, keeps it small. Bhs 1.5, little step back. Another hit for the Cats!

    8:23pm: Richards, FX: DLO, one of her better ones! 1.5 to front lay, great rise out of that second element. Dance series is clean, a little bouncy on the landing. Double tuck to close, a little bouncy on the landing but she keeps it in bounds.

    8:25pm: Bunn, BB: Bhs loso loso, suuuuper solid. Love it. Switch to split, very nice. Roundoff double full! Little adjustment on the landing. Did she do a full turn or did I just miss it?

    8:27pm: Lazzari, FX: Still just the double pike this week, bounce back – it’s TIME for that pike full in please. 1.5 to front lay to stag, gorgeously floaty. Dance series is great, showing off that precision. Double tuck to finish, landed on the edge of the sting mat which looked a little awkward, but she covered well.

    8:29pm: Worley, BB: Cat leap switch side, really uses the length of the beam. Front aerial to bhs loso, that’s NICE. A little knees but I almost don’t care? Full turn is good. Roundoff 1.5 stuck! She’s such a star for them, wow.

    8:31pm: Baumann, FX: She has her GAME face on. Here we go. Double tuck, two foot stick! Such an open position too. I’m not even mad we didn’t get the double lay. 1.5 to front full, just flicks those arms as she steps out. Gorgeous split and straddle positions in the dance series. Double pike to finish, just the lunge and that’s going to be a HUGE score.

    8:32pm: Angeny, BB: I love her on beam, she’s got such presence. Bhs loso loso, takes the ENTIRE length of the beam. Front aerial, patient with it. Switch to beat jump to knee, so smooth. Side aerial back full STUCK, that’ll be a great score for Kentucky, WOW.

    8:34pm: Taylor, FX: Again, no pressure, let’s see what she can do! Double tuck to open, good height and control. 1.5 to front lay to stag, that’s the best I’ve seen her do that. Switch side Popa, good. Double pike to finish, overcooks it and stumbles back a little, but it doesn’t even matter, Florida wins and earns a massive 197.4 even WITHOUT their biggest stars.

    FINAL: UF 197.5, UK 196.875

    https://twitter.com/emwatchesgym/status/1362938941024968705?s=20
    https://twitter.com/samisadancer/status/1362938593212313600?s=20
    https://twitter.com/samisadancer/status/1362939319867039744?s=20

    This stat is INSANE. We are, of course, talking about Richards (39.375), Lazzari (39.475), Skaggs (39.5), Baumann (39.65), and Thomas, who has a season high of 39.9. Absolutely crazy.

    Thanks for joining me tonight, Gator fans! Follow me @mycluttereddesk on Twitter for live tweet updates from the press conference – otherwise, we’ll see you next time.

  • LAX: Florida drops contest at No. 1 Tar Heels

    LAX: Florida drops contest at No. 1 Tar Heels

    The Gators gave their all in a sour fight against UNC

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Losing 11-5, the No. 8 Gator’s lacrosse team made it a 3-10 series against No. 1 North Carolina in a disappointing loss Friday. The game left many confused yet satisfied. 

    With a six goal deficit, the game appears to have been a bust, but the Gators brought quite the opposite to the table.  

    Redshirt freshman goalie Sarah Reznick fought tooth and nail in the net and virtually saved the Gators in the first half. She went up against a powerhouse offense and performed mightily. Reznick brought in an astounding 16 saves for the team and now ties the program record with former goalie Haley Hicklen. It’s also a personal record, overcoming her previous 14 save high.

    The Gators played strong on defense but it just wasn’t enough to tackle the number one ranked team. North Carolina star player Scottie Rose Growney and Jamie Ortega put up a stout challenge for the Gators with their pure shot skills and adrenaline. Still, fifth year defender Cara Trombetta and senior defender Kaitlyn Dabkowski blocked as if their life was on the line. 

    The team had a Gator-great performance nonetheless. 

    Senior attacker Grace Haus racked in her first hat trick for the season, recording the first two goals of the game and a third with less than 15 minutes in the second half. She sits at five goals and eight points in the first couple games. 

    Senior midfielder Shannon Kavanaugh slid in a goal, too. She’s building on her massive 29-game consecutive goal record, standing fourth of all-time for the program.

    Freshman midfielder Ashley Gonzalez also had an impactful afternoon as she recorded her first career goal in a Gator’s uniform to bring the score 3-5 in the first half.

    Florida pushed down to the millisecond in this brutal bloodbath, not succumbing to the inevitable loss as they moved to the second half. The team put up 26 shots to North Carolina’s 32 during the game — a solid difference given their score disadvantage. They also tied the Tar Heels in draw controls at nine. 

    With a 1-1 record, the Gators have to make a glorious comeback. They stay on the road for game three and face the Loyola Greyhounds in Baltimore on Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. Their away matchup against Kennesaw state was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns from the Owls. 

    The Loyola game can be watched lived on ESPN+

  • LAX: Florida travels to North Carolina to take on No. 1 Tar Heels

    LAX: Florida travels to North Carolina to take on No. 1 Tar Heels


    The No. 8 Gators lacrosse team goes head-to-head against the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels in another away game at Chapel Hill on Friday, Feb. 19 at 12 p.m. This will be the 13th meetup between the teams. 

    The Gators have tough competition in North Carolina. 

    Ranked first in all national polls, the Tar Heels have all 12 starters from last season on their roster. They finished 7-0 and ranked first at the season’s abrupt conclusion. North Carolina also ranked No. 1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the preseason polls. 

    The team is a mighty presence to mess with but Florida isn’t leaving without blood shed. 

    The Gators crushed the Cardinals 14-7 in their season-opener last week (hyperlink) and have high expectations on them going into the remainder of the season. The Tar Heels coincidently won their most recent game 14-7, playing against Stony Brook.

    The Gators’ last match against North Carolina was during an NCAA tournament back in May 2019. They have only won three of the 12 games versus North Carolina. 

    The Gators have strong weapons in the arsenal as they approach the fight. Senior attacker Grace Haus started out the season strong with two goals and two assists. She’s inching towards a record 100 career goals and would be the 13th player in Gator history to reach that mark. Haus is currently at 92. 

    Senior attacker Kassidy Bresnahan pulled the trigger of success on the field in the Louisville game. She brought in a whopping three goals and one assist in her star performance. 

    Senior midfielder Shannon Kavanagh too was a strong force with three goals and one assist. 

    Florida’s team truly demonstrated its abilities last week and appears to have a no-mercy collective mindset. They shoot all their shots and has a tight grip on the defense. 

    Time is of the essence.

     While the Gators are playing in 17 total games in the regular season, it’s vital they keep a strong winning streak from the beginning if they wish to move high in rankings, and North Carolina is certainly not a team to sleep on. 

    The pressure is on for the Gators and the battle to come will be nothing short of an interesting one. 

  • SB: No. 6 Florida Walks It Off to Top Jacksonville in Home Opener

    SB: No. 6 Florida Walks It Off to Top Jacksonville in Home Opener

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Entering the bottom of the seventh inning scoreless, Florida center fielder Cheyenne Lindsey led off with a bunt single that put the game-winning run on base with no outs. “[Cheyenne’s] been a great nine-hole hitter for us…she’s like another leadoff,” Second baseman Hannah Adams said.

    Adams lifted the Gators to victory Wednesday night after knocking a double off the wall in left-center field that scored Lindsey all the way from first base before Jacsonville’s throw reached home plate.@

    After sweeping USF in an opening weekend doubleheader in Tampa Saturday, No. 6 Florida defeated the Jacksonville Dolphins 1-0 in its home opener at Katie Pressly Seashole Stadium.

    Game synopsis

    Salvaged by Lindsey’s diving grab, junior right-hander Elizabeth Hightower tossed a one-two-three inning before Adams led off the bottom of the first with a double to center field. First baseman Kendyl Lindaman drew walk before third baseman Charla Echols’ line-drive single loaded the bases with no outs. But the Gators failed to capitalize as Jacksonville right-handed pitcher Alyssa Bilodeau struck out the next three straight UF batters to escape the bases-loaded jam.

    Following a hitless second inning and a runless third, Florida sparked a prime scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth when three base hits including two infield singles loaded the bases with one out. But Lindsey fouled out and Adams flied out to deep center field, stranding three baserunners for the second time in four innings.

    “Pressure’s on the pitcher in those situations…so we’ve got to do a good job of being consistent,” UF head coach Tim Walton said. “We’re not somebody who’s going to make a two-strike adjustment nor are we going to make a bases-loaded adjustment.”

    Hightower dealt 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four Dolphins, until Florida southpaw Katie Chronister entered the circle in relief. The Gainesville native recorded two quick outs, before Bilodeau blanked the Gators for the fifth and sixth consecutive innings.

    Chronister kept Jacksonville off the scoreboard one last time in the top of the seventh before Adams walked it off in the bottom half of the inning.

    Notable stats

    Win: Chronister (2-0): 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

    Loss: Bilodeau (2-1): 6 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

    Hightower: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

    Adams: 2-4, RBI

    Lindsey: 1-3, 1 R, 1 K

    Lindaman: 1-2, BB

    Echols: 2-3 (.889 season batting avg)

    Upcoming Bubly Invitational

    The Gators will return to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium Friday to open up this year’s Bubly Invitational against Georgia Southern at 6 p.m. Unlike last year’s event in which Florida faced four different opponents, they’ll play only two different teams this year: Georgia Southern and Charlotte. The Gators will wrap up the invitational with a doubleheader against both teams on Saturday before facing each team in reverse order on Sunday. Florida swept its six-game 2020 Bubly Invitational slate, outscoring its opponents 41-2.

  • MBB: Gators Fall to Arkansas, 75-64

    MBB: Gators Fall to Arkansas, 75-64

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    It was 18 degrees in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Tuesday night, and the Gators men’s basketball team couldn’t overcome their cold first half from the floor as they played, and lost, their first game in 13 days.

    After a crushing loss to unranked South Carolina Feb. 3 that ended a four-game winning streak, a bout of COVID-19 within the men’s basketball program put head coach Mike White’s squad on pause for the third time this season. With last week’s scheduled matchups against LSU, Tennessee and Texas A&M canceled, Florida traveled to Arkansas with hope of some delayed vengeance.

    However, the Gators shooting didn’t quite follow them west. Arkansas held the lead for the entirety of the opening twenty minutes in a first half plagued by bricks. Florida’s backcourt trio of guards Tre Mann, Tyree Appleby and Noah Locke combined to start 2-13 from the floor as the Gators made only seven of their first 30 shots from the field.

    Aside from the differences from the floor, the game was fairly even as both teams retreated to their respective locker rooms. Both Arkansas and Florida has 20 rebounds and had forced four turnovers each. Arkansas had blocked three shots and Florida had blocked two.

    However, the Razorbacks had 24 points in the paint compared to UF’s 14. The most alarming split was each team’s shooting percentage. Florida was only 11-36 (30.5%) from the floor while Arkansas was 17-33 (51.5%). Those two compounded to give Arkansas a 40-30 advantage halfway through the game.

    Arkansas came out firing early in the second half, with 7’3″ sophomore Connor Vanover helping pull down four straight offensive rebounds in a single possession for the Razorbacks as the Gators fell behind by as much as 15 with 18 minutes left.

    However, as the rust began to wear off and the ice began to melt, UF slowly but surely crept its way back into the game. A quick 7-0 run highlighted by a three-point play by Appleby cut the deficit to eight points. Back-to-back baskets by forward Scottie Lewis, who has been almost an afterthought since being forced to sit for health and safety reasons in early January, pulled Florida within five before a Locke jumper made it a one-possession game.

    Appleby wasn’t hyper-efficient to start but came up incredibly clutch in the closing half, shooting 4-5 from the field and, with an athletic finish with 4:40 remaining, gave the Gators their first lead of the entire night. Within just 13 minutes, Florida outscored Arkansas 32-16 run to claw all the way back.

    The comeback wasn’t meant to be, however, as that was the last field goal of the night. Arkansas closed the game on a 14-2 run to end the game, 10 of which came from free throws. True freshman Davonte Davis and Moses Moody, both Arkansas natives, combined for 10 of those closing points and finished with 18 and 14, respectively. Davis was the night’s leading scorer.

    Florida’s momentum dissipated once it finally took the lead. Four killer turnovers in the closing minutes stopped potentially game-tying possessions in their tracks. The final dagger came when Appleby, who had made every big shot, lost control of the ball on a drive to give the Razorbacks possession and a four-point lead with under a minute remaining.

    The scoreboard read 75-64 in favor of the home team when the buzzer sounded and Florida was left to leave, contemplating a second-straight loss in which the final minutes resembled more of a whimper than a bang. Now 10-6 overall and 6-5 in conference, the Gators, who were ranked just two weeks ago, desperately need a few wins to steady their feet before the postseason.

    The Gators host rival Georgia Saturday in hopes of avoiding a third-straight loss and staying within shouting distance of second in the SEC.

  • SB: Echols earns SEC Player of the Week

    SB: Echols earns SEC Player of the Week

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Following a victorious opening weekend double-header in Tampa Saturday, Florida third baseman Charla Echols won her first career SEC Player of the Week.

    In two games against USF, the junior Newnan, Ga. native cruised through USF’s pitching staff, going 6-6 with six RBIs, a double, a triple and a home run.

    Echols’, who led the Gators in batting batting average last year (.417), accomplished the best start through the first two games of the season in program history.

    https://twitter.com/SEC/status/1361394854954225673?s=20

    In the seventh inning of the first game, Echols hit a pivotal 2-RBI double to center field that broke a 3-3 tie. Later that inning, the junior scored the last run of the game, securing a 6-3 Florida win.

    In her first at-bat of game two, Echols knocked her first career triple off the center-field wall to give Florida a quick 2-0 advantage. An inning later, she extended UF’s lead to 7-0 on a three-run shot to center field before capping off her historic day with a single and a walk.

    Echols flashed in the field, too, where she snagged a low line drive and doubled up a USF baserunner in scoring position to keep the first game tied.

    As the Gators return to Gainesville, Echols and company will prepare for their home-opener against Jacksonville Wednesday. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will air on SEC Network+.

  • The Gridiron Growl Podcast: QB Talk with Shane Matthews

    The Gridiron Growl Podcast: QB Talk with Shane Matthews

    Check out the latest episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast as David Soderquist and Brian Fox are joined by former Gators QB (and UF Athletic Hall of Famer) Shane Matthews.

    Shane shares stories about his rise up the UF depth chart, playing for Steve Spurrier, his NFL career, and why he made Gainesville his home. The three then discuss Florida quarterback play as Kyle Trask prepares for the NFL Draft and Emory Jones is set to take over under center.

    Click play on the following audio player to listen to this week’s episode of The Gridiron Growl Podcast:

    You can also follow The Gridiron Growl Podcast on the following platforms:

  • SB: No. 6 Gators sweep USF in delayed Opening Day doubleheader

    SB: No. 6 Gators sweep USF in delayed Opening Day doubleheader

    Photo by Brian Fox / ChompTalk.com


    Following a three-hour rain delay in Tampa, No. 6 Florida outscored USF 21-3 in its opening day doubleheader.

    Game one

    Win: Chronister (1-0)

    Loss: Corrick (0-1)

    The Gators came out of the delay hot, scoring three runs in the top of the first. Senior designated player Jordan Matthews stroked a two-RBI double to right center that drove in senior second baseman Hannah Adams and junior third baseman Charla Echols for Florida’s first runs since last March. The encouraging start allowed the Gators to settle in. A few batters later, sophomore right fielder Baylee Goddard hit a RBI-single that brought sophomore catcher Julia Cottrill home.

    After throwing a scoreless first inning, senior right-hander Natalie Lugo allowed three earned runs over the next two innings before getting pulled in the fourth inning for fifth-year senior southpaw Katie Chronister. Tied at three a piece, Chronister delivered 3.1 hitless innings, which led to another three-run inning in the top of the seventh.

    Following back-to-back leadoff singles, Echols hit a two-RBI double that broke the tie and gave Florida a 5-3 lead. One batter later, Echols reached home safely on a Cottrill single that extended Florida’s lead to 6-3. Chronister hurled a one-two-three bottom of seventh that clinched Florida’s first victory of 2021.

    Game two

    Win: Hightower (1-0)

    Loss: Hook (0-1)

    The Gators mirrored continued their first-inning success, once again scoring three runs. Fitfth-year senior Kendyl Lindaman got things started with an RBI-double down the left-field line. Echols followed that up with a triple that scored Lindaman before Echols scored on a wild pitch. Barring a walk in the bottom of the first, junior right-hander Elizabeth Hightower struck out the side.

    Florida poured on four more runs in the second inning thanks to a Lindaman infield RBI-single followed by an Echols three-run home run. After the Gators held the Bulls off the scoreboard in the bottom of the second, Florida added three more runs in the third capped off by junior centerfielder Cheyenne Lindsey’s solo shot to go up 10-0. On freshman Avery Goelz’s single, fifth-year senior left fielder Jamie Hoover stole home while Goelz stole second and advance to third on a bad throw.

    After a one-two-three bottom of the third, Adams cleared the bases on a double to left center, which gave the Gators a commanding 13-0 lead. Florida scored two final runs in the fifth on a Goelz single before Trlicek delivered a one-two-three inning to complete the 10-run rule.

    Notable stats

    Echols: 6-6, 4 R, 6 RBI, 0 SO, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR

    Adams: 4-7, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B

    Lindsey: 3-4, HR, 4 R 3 BB

    Lindaman: 2-6, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 2B

    Matthews: 1-5, 2 RBI, 1 2B

    Hightower (1-0): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

    Chronister (1-0): 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

    Lugo: (5.73 ERA, 1.91 WHIP) 3.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K

    Next up

    Florida and USF will wrap up their opening weekend series with a day game tomorrow at 1 before the Gators return to Gainesville for their home opener Wednesday against Jacksonville.

  • LAX: Florida beats Louisville in landslide season opener

    LAX: Florida beats Louisville in landslide season opener

    The Gators overcame a slow start to record a seven point victory over Louisville on Saturday.

    Photo by Benjamin Fox / ChompTalk.com

    The No. 8 Gators lacrosse team proved their talent as they took the unranked Cardinals by storm in Louisville on Saturday. 

    Winning 14-7, Florida brought their distinctive drive and hunger to the field.

    At the beginning of the first half, Florida was down 1-0. They made a sharp turnaround and showed endurance, however. 

    Senior attacker Grace Haus broke through roughly six minutes into the game and didn’t look back. She scored two more goals in the game and totaled nine shots. 

    The Cardinals led 2-1 soon after and the shaky Gators quickly changed their agenda. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Paisley Eagan scored a powerful overhand shot to tie the game 1-1. 

    The game was all uphill from there.

    Florida took a stronghold on the second half, scoring seven goals to Louisville’s three.  

    Senior midfielder Shannon Kavangh showed her dominance across the field with three goals on nine shots. She was the go-to face-off player throughout the game’s entirety as well. Kavangh broke 200 career points with her powerful performance. 

    Senior attacker Kassidy Bresnahan and and Eagan shined in the game as they recorded three goals and two goals, respectively. 

    Florida left their plays up to strategy on the offense as the score gap grew apparent. 

    With 90 seconds before a turnover, attackers were running down the shot-clock left and right to kill game time. The Gators let play die down to a mere eight seconds before shooting but missed the goal. 

    If the shot attempt were to be a few seconds earlier, Florida could’ve had another scoring opportunity and more points in their belt at the game’s conclusion. 

    The Gators had a bit of a challenge going into the game.   

    On top of it being an opener for the 2021 season, the Cardinals had home advantage. Though no fans appeared to be in attendance, the snowy weather was atypical for the Florida team. 

    Coaches bundled up in thick bubble coats and players wrapped themselves in plastic tarp. Still, the weather didn’t slow down the hungry Gators. If anything, it motivated the team to persevere. 

    Florida topped off their win with goal number 14 in the game’s final six minutes. Haus scored with a pop shot as the final goal and got a hat trick in doing so. 

    They started off their season on a high note and brought the traditional Gator game to the field. With the bar now set high, the team’s season-long success is open to great possibility. 

    The Gators play against North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Friday, Feb. 19. At 12 p.m. The game will be live-streamed on ESPN+.

  • WGYM Liveblog: No. 1 Florida at No. 2 LSU

    WGYM Liveblog: No. 1 Florida at No. 2 LSU

    It’s the showdown of the season in Baton Rouge tonight as the Gators head to Tiger territory to fight off their SEC rival and greatest conference championship threat, LSU.

    Trinity Thomas is on a quest to complete her Gym Slam – a perfect score on every event – with a 10.0 on vault, the last event where she hasn’t earned one. She, Nya Reed, and Savannah Schoenherr have all come close to perfection this season on various different events, and with the way scores have soared at this meet historically, tonight could be the night it finally happens for the Gators in 2021.

    LSU will not be an easy team to beat, though. The Tigers have already reached perfection this season – star Kiya Johnson earned the first perfect 10 of the year on floor all the way back in the first meet of the season. And their freshman phenom Haleigh Bryant has picked up several honors and near-perfect scores as well, with a stellar handspring pike half vault and incredible tumbling in her floor routine.

    It all happens tonight at 7:30 E.T. in the PMAC and on SEC Network, but if you can’t be there or watch live, you can follow along with me for all the action!

    7:31pm: Meet hasn’t started just yet and my TV signal is acting up a little bit so apologies if I miss anything tonight.

    In other SEC news, Georgia just upset Alabama by a pretty big margin.

    7:35pm: Looking at these two teams event by event, side by side: Florida ranks in the top 3 on every event, while LSU is in the top 4 on every event except vault, where they are 7th.

    https://twitter.com/hharden85/status/1360386849269776386?s=20

    7:36pm: Brock, VT: FTY, nice and straight, great air, little bounce back.

    Richards, UB: First handstand a little short. Maloney to bail is strong, maybe some leg sep. Last handstand is fine. DLO a little far out but stuck! A great start.

    7:38pm: Shchennikova, VT: Y1.5, great height, a little lean to the side but doesn’t move her feet necessarily? I don’t know that I’d call it a stick though.

    Gallentine, UB: Good first handstands. Maloney legs are pasted together, same in the pak. Little hiccup on the half piro on the low bar but saves it. Good last handstand. DLO, had to lunge forward. Well done to save it, but not what they needed.

    7:40pm: Arenas, VT: FTY, gorgeous in the air, little bounce back.

    Skaggs, UB: Great first handstnad. Tkachev to pak is GORGEOUS, some of the best I’ve ever seen it. Good last handstand. DLO, little shuffle back. A good reset for this Gator bar squad.

    7:42pm: Edwards, VT: Y1.5, great in the air, little cautionary step forward.

    Schoenherr, UB: Great first handstand! Jaeger, maybe a little close? Super high though. Great handstand work in the middle, bail is great. Last handstand awesome. Double front half out and SHE STICKS!!!! YES!

    7:44pm: Johnson, VT: DTY, little shuffle on the landing but that’ll be a GREAT score.

    Thomas, UB: Great first handstand. Maloney to uprise is perfect. Pak is floaty. Good low bar handstnad work. Van Leeuwen is great. Last handstand spot on. DLO STUCK! THROW THE 10!

    7:46pm: Bryant, VT: Handspring pike half, it’s soooo open! Little stutter step back.

    Lazzari, UB: YAY ELLIE IS IN! Good opening handstand. Tkachev is good. Pak was a little wonky but she’s fighting through. Good last handstand. Full in, little stutter step back.

    https://twitter.com/samisadancer/status/1360389807369838592?s=20

    AFTER ONE: LSU 49.6, UF 49.4

    It’s close! And the Gators had some hiccups in there. We’ll see what happens when the Gators go to vault, where they’re ranked No. 1!

    https://twitter.com/Chazelena/status/1360390635396751361?s=20
    https://twitter.com/GymDom/status/1360390163608731649?s=20

    Update: Richards is returning to the later half of the lineup, suggesting she has her Y1.5 back!

    7:54pm: Lazzari, VT: FTY, little hop back. Good form in the air, not a lot of distance though.

    Johnson, UB: Good first handstand. Maloney to bail is great. Last handstna dmaybe a little shy? Angle is funny. DLO STUCK! A great start for the Tigers too.

    7:56pm: Skaggs, VT: FTY, SO high and flared out and she STICKS IT! That’s a Sierra Alexander-level full, give that girl the 9.95!

    Brock, UB: Tkachev, flexed feet but height fine. Bail is good. Last handstnad good. Full out, step back to steady herself.

    7:58pm: Schoenherr, VT: Y1.5, WOW she fights for the stick and keeps it! Knee bend in the air though.

    9.875 for Skaggs????? A CRIME!

    Dunne, UB: Pak had a pretty big leg sep. Good last handstand. DLO, crunched forward and stepped. I missed her release, sorry!

    8:00pm: Reed, VT: Y1.5, crazy amplitude, little stutter step forward.

    Bryant, UB: Jaeger is HUGE wow. Good bail, flopped it a little but stayed vertical. Double front, step forward.

    8:02pm: Thomas, VT: Y1.5, STUCK! COME ON, TRIN! This could be Gym Slam, y’all!!

    Shchennikova, UB: Tkachev to pak is fine. Last handstand short. DLO is whippy but stuck! That’s getting better, good for her.

    8:04pm: Richards, VT: just stuck with the full? That’s odd. Very clean, little hop in place.

    Durante, UB: Great first handstands. Jaeger is sooo high. Pak is lovely. Last handstand a little short. Full in, had to hop forward.

    For context, this is Braie Swann (nee Speed) and Ari Guerra, both former COMPETITORS of Thomas’s, having competed at Arkansas and Alabama, respectively. When they’re saying you’ve been robbed, you KNOW the underscoring is real.

    https://twitter.com/samisadancer/status/1360394870398058497?s=20

    Another once-competitor of Thomas’s, Olivia Karas, formerly of Michigan.

    Marissa Beucler, a former Kentucky gymnast, also commenting on the underscoring, this time for Skaggs. Just…. when it’s this obvious, there should be consequences for the officials.

    AFTER TWO: LSU 99.15, UF 98.95

    8:10pm: Desiderio, BB: Lovely series, she’s so solid here. Front aerial is gorgeous. Cat leap to gainer full stuck. A solid start for LSU.

    8:12pm: Skaggs, FX: Loooove that she’s in this lineup. A weird hesitation, music not coming on… twice? Wow, what a wait. They finally found it? Maybe? Okay, here we go.

    8:15pm: Skaggs, FX: Double wolf turn is a little off, but after that wait I can’t blame. Rudi to huge split jump, keeps it relatively under control. Lovely positions in her splits on her leaps. 1.5 to front lay, great control to close it out. A great start for Florida!

    8:17pm: Durante, BB: She looks so calm, love it. Bhs loso is solid. Front aerial to split jump, barely makes 180 there. Switch to straddle 1/4, not the best switch leap I’ve seen from her. Side aerial to back full, keeps the feet in place, good for her.

    8:19pm: Richards, FX: DLO, little slide of the foot there. 1.5 to front lay, step forward is a bit big but she starts dancing immediately to cover. Straddle positions are good. Double tuck, little bouncy on the landing. Saw a little crunch in her bhs going into that so I’m glad she still pulled it out fine.

    8:21pm: Bryant, BB: Series is good. Good split positions there. Punch front, great height, step out. Full turn is good. Front 1.5, little slide.

    8:23pm: Lazzari, FX: She’s in the AA today, this is amazing!!! Super high double tuck, a little too much power because she’s training something bigger. Gorgeous and floaty in her combo pass to the sissone. Great split positions in her jump series. Double pike to finish, a little short, jumped out of it to cover.

    8:25pm: Dean, BB: Side aerial to bhs, little stutter that looked like she might lose it but held on with very little adjustment. Leaps are good. Front aerial, nice. Side aerial to back full stuck. LSU keeps hitting!

    8:27pm: Reed, FX: Come on, Nya, give them no choice. DLO, perfectly lays it back into the lunge, no movement in the front foot. Front lay to Rudi, big bounce back. Dang. Split and wolf positions are good. Double pike to close, a great landing there. Just that middle pass, otherwise fantastic.

    8:29pm: Johnson, BB: Bhs loso, good. Switch to switch half, little bobble there. Front toss is solid. Roundoff double full stuck! A great routine for her.

    8:31pm: Thomas, FX: Here we go. DLO, just perfection, flawless control to the lunge. Front full to front lay, split jump out, no question there. Great positions, amplitude, and control in landing in her dance series. Absolutely SELLING this choreo right now. Double pike to finish, absolutely nails that one too. PLEASE give it to her. Oh my god. They gave it to her!!!!

    8:33pm: Campbell, BB: Great series. Front aerial to sisone is lovely. Switch to switch half, height is amazing, lost her 180 a little though. Roundoff double full, hop, and she just kept walking? Replay shows her pull her arms down like her elbow was bothering her, uh oh.

    8:35pm: Baumann, FX: SO happy to see her back. Double tuck to open – WHEN will we see that double lay, Adrian? – and it’s gorgeous. Combo pass is lovely too, great control. Switch half was lovely. Popa a little to one side? Weird for her. Double pike to finish, little front foot slide, but it’s a great one.

    AFTER THREE: LSU 148.7, UF 148.5

    Very confused as to how Florida is still two tenths behind after that rotation.

    https://twitter.com/whiptotriple/status/1360402784466522115?s=20

    Going into the 4th rotation, both teams LEAD the nation on the events they’re on…. so buckle up, y’all.

    8:43pm: Richards, BB: Starts with the full turn, good. Bhs loso loso, snaps those arms down to eliminate any bobbles. Switch to straddle, solid. Side aerial to back full, stuck! What a great leadoff, she’s taken so well to this role.

    8:45pm: A lineup change for LSU, Dean in instead of Campbell. Definitely something up with her.

    Dean, FX: Double pike to open, slides back a little in the lunge. 1.5 to front lay, little stutter forward. Second split maybe shy of 180? Hard to tell. This choreo on the floor is not engaging at all… I usually expect better from LSU. Double tuck, cowboys a little in the air but two foot stuck?? Wow!

    8:47pm: Skaggs, BB: Single wolf turn, lost her momentum partway through but covered well. Switch to split, gorgeous 180+ positions. Bhs loso, big bobble, aaaaaaand she’s off. Front aerial is good. Cat leap to switch side. Side aerial to back full, small slide. Good recovery but the damage is done.

    8:49pm: Desiderio, FX: DLO to open, well controlled. 1.5 to front lay, looked like her ankle buckled?? Saved it somehow. Switch ring, switch half, looked like she was favoring her foot on the prep. Double back to finish, good. I don’t know how she pulled that out, wow.

    8:51pm: Lazzari, BB: Bhs loso loso, DEAD on. Switch to split is lovely. Full turn, good. Side aerial back full is STUCK! What a champ, the freshman comes through!

    8:53pm: Shchennikova, FX: Front double full, stutter step forward into an arabesque. 1.5 to front full, a little off to the side but good control there. Rudi to straddle to finish, keeps the arm wave small. A good reset for them.

    8:55pm: Baumann, BB: Ice queen, let’s go. Bhs loso, solid. Switch to split, great positions in the air. Front aerial, so steady. Full turn, good, maybe a small cover? Switch half, not her greatest 180 there, a little iffy to me. Roundoff 1.5, patient for it and sticks! Yes!

    8:57pm: Ballard, FX: DLO, biiiig air and takes it right to the line. 1.5 to front lay to stag, good control there. Lovely switch ring to switch half. Double pike, works hard to keep the movement on the lunge small but it was there.

    8:59pm: Thomas, BB: Gorgeous switch to split leap. One arm bhs to loso, stays steady, okay I can breathe again. Front aerial to beat to korbut, great. Side aerial back full stuck!

    9:01pm: Edwards, FX: Front double full, great control coming out. Front full to front full, very nice. Straddle positions great in the air. Double tuck, came in underrotated and had to step forward and crunch her chest. Let’s see if the judges actually take it.

    9:03pm: Clapper, BB: Bhs loso loso, little check to the side but keeps it small. Full turn, good. Switch to split, a little tight there. Side aerial back full stuck! Will it be enough??

    9:04pm: Bryant, FX: Double front, BIG air, lunge out. Front lay to Rudi, gorgeous there. Split positions are lovely. Front double full and she FALLS! Wow, that was unexpected. That’s gonna cost LSU the meet.

    FINAL SCORE: UF 198.150, LSU 198.050

    WOW. Not the way the Gators should’ve won, but they still pulled out the win somehow. Hope all the LSU gymnasts are okay, there were some scary moments in that floor rotation.

    Thomas wins EVERY EVENT and breaks the school record for the all-around! 39.9 is a HUGE score for her, incredible. Lazzari also grabs a share of the beam title with her 9.95 as well, matching her career high.

    Thanks to everyone for joining me tonight! Don’t forget to follow me @mycluttereddesk on Twitter as well as @chomptalk, and we’ll see you next week for a home meet against Kentucky.