Lacrosse opens with a win

Gator Sports

Special report on the Florida Gators lacrosse team:

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The seventh-ranked Florida lacrosse team kicked off the 2022 season on a high note on Saturday, defeating the Kennesaw State Owls 22-7 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

 

 

Florida was led offensively by freshman Emma LoPinto, who notched eight points on six goals and two assists in her collegiate debut. That marks the most goals scored by a Florida player in a season opener in program history and ties the program record for most goals  scored by a freshman.

 

Danielle Pavinelli added four goals of her own in the victory – tying her career-high – followed by two apiece from Maggi Hall and Emily Heller. Eight Gators each registered one goal on the afternoon: Paisley Eagan, Brie Catts, Kaala Puglisi, Celeste Forte, Ashley Gonzalez, Charlotte Harmon, Kylee Hubiak and Bella Palagonia.

 

Florida won the battle in the draw circle, coming up with 18-of-32 draws – led by four apiece from Heller and Sawers.

 

The Gators’ defense held the Owls to just 7-of-18 shooting in the game and registered 10 caused turnovers. Forte led the way with two, while Leigh Lingo, Catherine Flaherty, Becky Browndorf, Maeson Tydings, Sarah Mackey, Eagan, Hall and Gonzalez each recorded one.

 

Emma Wightman and Mackey each notched a team-high two groundballs, while 10 other Gators each recorded one groundball in the win.

 

In the cage, Reznick tallied three saves in her 45:00 between the pipes, while Julia Hammerschlag notched one save in her 15 minutes of action.

 

The Gators return to the field on Tuesday to take on Scotland in an exhibition game. Opening draw is set for 6:30 p.m. at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

 

Records
No. 7 Florida (1-0)
Kennesaw State (0-1)

 

How it Happened

  • The Gators got on the board first thanks to Emma LoPinto’s first goal in a Gator jersey just over 90 seconds into the game. Danielle Pavinelli followed with her first goal of the season and LoPinto added her second of the day to put Florida up 3-0.
  • Kennesaw State got on the board with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter, but Florida answered less than two minutes later, with LoPinto netting her first collegiate hat trick. The Owls cut their deficit to two at 4-2, but the freshman LoPinto once again answered, recording her fourth goal with 4:45 remaining in the first quarter to put Florida up 5-2 going into the break.
  • The Owls got on the board first in the second quarter, but Florida strung together a 6-0 run behind goals from Emily Heller, Pavinelli (2), Maggi Hall (2) and Paisley Eagan.
  • Kennesaw State pulled back to within seven goals with just under two minutes left in the half, but LoPinto tallied her fifth goal with six seconds remaining in the frame to put the Gators up 12-4 going into the locker room.
  • Coming out of the half, Kennesaw State pulled to within seven at 12-5, but Florida answered with the duo of Ashley Gonzalez and LoPinto – each adding a goal and an assist to put the Gators up 14-5 with 10:05 left in the third quarter. After the Owls got one back at 14-6, the Gators went on a 7-0 run behind goals from Pavinelli, Heller, Puglisi, Forte, Harmon, Palagonia and Hubiak.
  • The Owls would add one more to their column, but Brie Catts posted the first goal of her career to close out the game 22-7.

Softball season opener,

Gator Sports
Gators Shut Out Redbirds to Open 2022 Season
 
Softball
Posted: Friday, February 11, 2022

TAMPA – The No. 6-ranked Florida softball team picked up a 3-0 victory Friday evening over Illinois State on Opening Day at the USF – Rawlings Invitational.

The Gators (1-0) were led in the circle by Natalie Lugo, Elizabeth Hightower (1-0) and Lexie Delbrey (1 SV). The trio combined for 11 strikeouts and the program’s 21st career opening day shutout.

Hightower picked up the victory after she entered in relief in the third inning with Redbirds on the corners with one out. The Monticello, Fla. native hit the first batter she faced to load the bases, but went on to record back-to-back swinging strikeouts.

From there, the NFCA Third Team All-American, went on to retire six-straight additional batters, before being relieved by freshman Lexie Delbrey. Delbrey, a Bainbridge, Ga. native, picked up her first career save as she retired the side in order with a pair of strikeouts to end the game.

Lugo, a native of West Covina, Calif., threw 3.1 innings as the starter of today’s game and struck out three, while allowing only three hits and a pair of walks.

Offensively, Florida broke open the scoring in the top of the 2nd inning of play. Sophomore catcher Emily Wilkie (Cumming, Ga.) produced a two-out single, which was then followed up by fellow sophomore outfielder Avery Goelz’s RBI triple to center field.

Freshman outfielder Kendra Falby drove in Goelz during the ensuing at-bad with an RBI double down the left field line to give UF a 2-0 lead.

Hannah Adams (Hoschton, Ga.) and Skylar Wallace (Woodstock, Ga.) also picked up base hits in the contest with Wallace adding two stolen base and Adams swiped one in the effort.

Overall, the Gators stole five bases in tonight’s game.  

The Gators return to action Saturday, Feb. 12, with a pair of games against Kansas City at 10:30 a.m. and No. 16 Michigan at 1 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN 98.1FM/850AM WRUF and on The Varsity Network app.

Notes:

  • The Gators improved to 26-1 in opening day games and 33-5 in games during opening weekend.
    • UF now holds a 16-2 against the Redbirds and now have won its last 15 games.
    • It’s also the 21st shutout for the Gators during Opening Day.

More to come…..

News
Thanks to Ward Scott and his “investigator/instigator” for bringing this information into public awareness. Ward’s show is on YouTube at 9am on weekdays. Watch the Ward Scott Files. 
 

FDLE sends report with probable cause for 10 Alachua County voter fraud cases to State Attorney Kramer

February 11, 2022

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

On Thursday, February 3, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) sent a report with the results of their investigation into voter fraud in Alachua County to 8th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Brian Kramer. Kramer has confirmed that there are ten criminal cases in the report; he is now assigning them to assistant state attorneys, who will make the charging decisions.

More information about the cases will be available when the State Attorney’s office drops the case, when his office answers discovery to the defendant, or when they “otherwise determine that the ‘investigative’ exemption no longer applies.”

 

The UFuture

Gator Sports

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida head football coach Billy Napier welcomed his inaugural recruiting class on Wednesday, signing eight on National Signing Day.

The eight join fourteen Gators for a total of 22 that signed during the early signing period or transfered in following the 2021 season. 

I think evaluation and recruitment is kind of a separate entity. Then the players arrive then it’s time to develop them, motivate them, improve their lives as people, students and players,” said Napier. “I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made. I thought we answered a lot of needs. I thought we took advantage of each opportunity to add players to the team.”

The full list of Florida’s signees on national signing day, early signing period and midyear transfers can be found below. For more information on each signee, you can visit the Gators’ National Signing Day website here.

Florida’s Current 2022 Signing Class 
 

Name Position
Max Brown QB
David Conner^ OT
Caleb Douglas WR
Trevor Etienne RB
Jalen Farmer OL/G
Hayden Hansen TE
Shemar James^ LB
Montrell Johnson* RB
Jalen Kimber* DB
Tony Livingston^ TE
Jamari Lyons^ DT
Chris McClellan^ DL
Jack Miller III* QB
Miguel Mitchell S
Devin Moore^ CB
Jack Pyburn OLB
Andrew Savaiinaea DL
Trey Smack^ K
O’Cyrus Torrence* OL
Kamryn Waites* OL
Christian Williams^ OL
Kamari Wilson^ S

* Indicates midyear transfer
^ Indicates from early signing period

Spring Game Set

Gator Sports
Billy Napier announced on Monday that the 2022 Orange and Blue Game will be played on April 16 at 1 inside the Swamp.
This will be the first spring game open to the general public since 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancelation of 2020 spring practice, and former coach Dan Mullen cited health concerns for the team practicing behind closed doors in 2021.
Further details such as broadcast information and fan initiatives will be announced closer to game day.

The Come Up and Get Me Interview

Aviation
Recently, the Explorers Club released the first interview for 2022. They choose to interview a true Aviation Legend and World Record holder, Col. Joe Kittinger, USAF (Ret).  Among his exploits from flying F4 fighters, being a POW in the Hanoi Hilton in VietNam, retiring the Gordon Bennett Balloon Race trophy, setting balloon non-stop distance records and parachuting back to earth from 19 miles straight up to flying the Atlantic solo in a balloon.
Joe and Sherry have blessed our lives by being beloved friends.  Kathy and I have enjoyed our amazing adventures, ballooning and salooning around the US and Europe. 
The link below will take you to the fascinating interview by the Explorers Club, during which Joe recounts just some of his amazing adventures. We hope you enjoy this as much as we enjoy making it available for you.
Come Up and Get Me
Col. Kittinger’s Awards

World Records:

  1. Highest Parachute Jump – 102,800 ft. August 16, 1960​
  2. Longest Parachute Freefall – 4 min. 36 sec. August 16, 1960
  3. Most High Altitude Balloon Flights, 5 times.  Man High I, 96,000 ft; Excelsior I, 76,000 ft.; Excelsior II, 75,000 ft.;
    Excelsior III, 102,800 ft.; and Stargazer, 86,000 ft.
  4. Longest distance flown in a 1,000 cubic meter helium balloon.  2001 miles in 72 hours. November 15-18, 1983.  Solo flight from Las Vegas to Franklinville, Ny. 
  5. Longest distance flown in a 3,000 cubic meter helium balloon.  3543 miles in 86 hours.  September 14-18, 1984.
  6. First person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in a helium balloon.  Maine to Italy.  September 14-18, 1984.
  7. NAA Speed Record – Piper Cheyenne 400 LS – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Orlando, Florida.  1986.


Military Awards:

Picture

 
Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster

Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster

Distinguished Flying Cross – Project Man High

Distinguished Flying Cross – Project Excelsior (Parachute jump from 102,800 feet)

Distinguished Flying Cross – 4 Oak Leaf Clusters – Vietnam

Bronze Star Medal with “V” device and two Oak Leaf Clusters

Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal with twenty three Oak Leaf Clusters

Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Clusters

Presidential Unit Citation

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

Army of Occupation Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Vietnam Service Medal with seven Service stars

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm

​Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
​P.O.W. Medal  

Civilian Awards:

Harmon International Trophy (Aeronaut) 1959 give by President Eisenhower

Aeronaut Leo Stevens Parachute Medal, 1959 for outstanding contributions to medical research, 1960

The John Jeffries Award, Institute of Aerospace Sciences

Aerospace Primus, Air Research and Development Command, 1960

Hall of Fame, USAF Special Operations

FAI Montgolfier Diplome, 1983 & 1984

Santos Dumont Medal, French Aero Club, 1984

Le Grande Medaille, City of Paris, 1984

Legion of Merit (Italy), 1984

Joe W. Kittinger Medal of Achievement, Board of County Commissioners, Orange County, Florida, 1984

Heroic Achievement Award, City of Orlando, 1984

Chateau de Balleroy Award, 1984

John Young Award, Orlando Chamber of Commerce, 1985

Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International, 1985

Revoredo Trophy, International Flight Research Corporation, 1985

W. Randolph Lovelace Award, Society of NASA Flight Surgeons, 1985

Godfrey L. Cabot Award, Aero Club of New England, 1985

Order of Daedalians Distinguished Achievement Award, 1993

Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Fellow, 1995

National Aeronautics Association Elder Statesman of Aviation Award, for lifetime contributions to aviation, 1995

Barnstormer of the Year, International Society of Aviation Barnstorming Historians, 1996

Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, 1997

Wright Brothers Memorial Hall of Fame, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1998

Inductee, International Forest of Friendship-Atchison, Kansas, 1999

Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Award, 2000

Honorary Member of Parachute Industry Association (PIA), 2001

Florida Aviation Hall of Fame, 2003

Distinguished Achievement Award, American ex-POWs

Achievement Award, Wingfoot Lighter Than Air Society

Prix de L’Aventure Sportive, French Sporting Adventure Trophy

John Young History Maker Award, 2006

National Air And Space Museum Trophy Lifetime Achievement in Aviation Award, 2008
​
Bolles School, Signey W. Register, Sr. Memorial Award, 2010


Ballooning Experience and Awards:

Gordon Bennett Balloon Race (California) Won First Place in The Rosie O’Grady’s Flying Circus Helium balloon 1982, 1984,1985 and  1988. 

The third consecutive win entitled Kittinger to retire the coveted Gordon Bennett trophy which now resides in the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. (Placed second in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1987, 1989)

Participated in the U>S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship in Indianola, Iowa in 1980 where he flew a Rosie O’Grady’s gas balloon.

U.S. National Gas Balloon Champion fot the year 1988

Participant in the following International Balloon Events

France ~ Chateau Balleroy, 1984 and 1985

Germany ~ Christening Ceremony of Rosie’s gas balloon -1987

Australia ~ Bicentennial Celbration 1988

Germany Opa Rally Gas Balloon Race, 1989

Russia ~ Hot Air Balloon Rally, 1989

Austria ~ Gordon Bennett Balloon Race, 1990, 1994

​Placed third in 1990 with Co-pilot Bob Snow –Morocco ~ 1996

Inducted into the U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame at the National Balloon Museum in Indianola, Iowa, 08-01-2010

Other Awards:

Colonel Joseph W. Kittinger Phantom Senior Squadron Civil Air Patrol Squadron named in Honor of Joe in Austin, Texas.
 
Inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in 1997

Florida Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003

Air and Space Museum Lifetime Achievement in Aviation in 2008

National Ballooning Hall of Fame in 2010

National Skydiving Hall of Fame in 2010

NTSA- National Training & Simulation Association – 2019 Lifetime of Service Recognition 

EUA revoked for Covid Treatment

News

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

Governor Ron DeSantis is demanding the Biden Administration reverse its sudden and reckless decision to revoke emergency use authorization (EUA) for Regeneron and Eli Lilly monoclonal antibody treatments. This abrupt and unilateral action by the Biden Administration will prevent access to lifesaving treatments for Floridians and Americans.

“Without a shred of clinical data to support this action, Biden has forced trained medical professionals to choose between treating their patients or breaking the law,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This indefensible edict takes treatment out of the hands of medical professionals and will cost some Americans their lives. There are real-world implications to Biden’s medical authoritarianism  – Americans’ access to treatments is now subject to the whims of a failing president.”

“In our field of medicine, when someone comes to you seeking a treatment that could save their life, it is essential to have treatment options to ensure health care providers can make the best decisions for their patients,” said Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “The Federal Government has failed to adequately provide the United States with adequate outpatient treatment options for COVID-19. Now, they are scrambling to cover up a failure to deliver on a promise to ‘shut down the virus.’”

As a result of this abrupt and clinically unsupported action, the appointments for more than 2,000 Floridians to receive this treatment were canceled on January 25, 2022, alone. This decision was made solely by Biden’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) without advance warning to states or health providers and without clinical data to support the decision. The deliberate decision by the Biden Administration to make this announcement effective immediately, through a press release, actively prevents states and health care providers from making real-time operational decisions that save lives.

Over the course of the past two years, scientists and researchers across the nation have worked hard to bring us treatments that are both safe and effective. One of these treatments has been monoclonal antibodies. This treatment has saved thousands of lives in Florida and across our nation.