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MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 17 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

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Gator Nation will bid a farewell to its leader Kent Fuchs UF president plans to step down from his position in 2023 By Elena Barrera Alligator Staff Writer

Makiya Seminera // Alligator Staff

Locals and business owners brace for UF students’ return amid Omicron surge SOME RESIDENTS FEEL UF IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE

By Carissa Allen Alligator Staff Writer

As the COVID-19 omicron variant surges, so do Gainesville residents’ concerns about UF students returning for the Spring semester. Omicron cases in Florida began to rise mid-December, and infections have rapidly

increased since then. From Dec. 10 to Dec. 16, 29,514 new cases were reported in the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Weekly Situation Report. From Dec. 31 to Jan. 6, 397,114 new cases were documented. In Alachua County alone, 3,789 new cases were reported the week of Jan. 7, adding up to 47,057 cumulative total cases in the county, according to the Alachua County COVID-19 Dashboard. UF expected Alachua County cases to rise throughout January

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Gator Baseball Preview: Story description finish Pitchers with comma, pg#

Gator baseball enters season with fresh faces. Read more on pg. 12

as students travel to Gainesville and expanded testing capacity, according to its Dec. 31 campus brief. “This spike is expected to be relatively short in duration — perhaps no more than two to four weeks,” it stated in the brief. Alachua County is taking precautionary measures to control the spread of the virus as students return. Although there is no mask

SEE RESIDENTS, PAGE 4

UF President Kent Fuchs announced Wednesday morning that he will be resigning from his position to transition into a professor role. UF released the announcement for Fuchs’ resignation in a campuswide email and video message. Fuchs, 67, intends to continue his presidential duties for the rest of the year and step down in 2023 once a new president is sworn in. He plans to return to his home department of electrical and computer engineering. “The overall reaction [to the announcement] is sadness because he has been such a great president,” Juan Nino, a member of UF Faculty Senate, said. “The tone that he has set is, to me, is just fantastic across the board, and it will be very tricky to replace him.” Throughout his eight-year presidency, Fuchs helped the university reach multiple goals furthering the school’s prestige. In 2017, UF entered the nation’s top 10 public universities. UF surpassed this old long-term goal Sept. 12, 2021 when the U.S. News and World Report announced UF as the No. 5 public school. Furthermore, research spending, donor contributions and student applications have steadily climbed during Fuchs’ term, according to the announcement. Research spending increased by over $200 million from 2014 to 2020. Donor contributions are expected to be $1.2 billion over UF’s

Alachua County Public Schools hit by COVID spike

Alachua County Public Schools' COVID-19 cases increase following winter break, pg. 2

Celebrate the life of UF graduate In honor of Sabrina Marie Obando, pg. 3

original goal for UF’s Go Greater philanthropic campaign. Student applications for Fall 2022 reached 60,000 — more than double the 29,000 that applied in Fall 2014, according to the statement. Gov. Ron DeSantis posted a tweet Wednesday afternoon congratulating Fuchs on a well-deserved retirement. DeSantis also thanked Fuchs for the accomplishment of the university rising to its top 5 ranking while keeping tuition costs low. The reputation of the university was certainly a main concern, but it was apparent that Fuchs prioritized fostering relationships with the student body and his colleagues as well, Nino said. “He is a much more welcoming president. I think he enjoys it a lot,” Nino said. Nino hopes the new president will maintain a good rapport with the students, faculty and state similar to Fuchs’ efforts. Fuchs is a very personable, transparent, honest person which is why he earnestly engages with the student body, David Bloom said, the UF Faculty Senate chair. He said these qualities make for a great president, in which Fuchs also seeks faculty input and really listens. Fuchs' leadership is what enabled the administration to navigate the academic freedom issues so well, because he always listened and was very transparent about what he was doing, Bloom said. The search for Fuchs’ replacement is a process dictated by regulations the Board of Governors has set

SEE FUCHS, PAGE 4

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

Alachua County has seen an increase in Today’s Weather positive COVID-19 cases among jail inmates

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 18

The total has increased by 11 cases since Thursday By Troy Myers Alligator Staff Writer

As of Friday, more than 100 inmates at the Alachua County Jail are positive for COVID-19, according to Alachua County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Captain Kaley Behl. Of the current positive inmates, 88 are male and 20 are female. Additionally, 27 employees tested

positive for the virus, Behl added. In-person visitations and inmate programs will remain on pause. “The ones that are within the jail that require them to move around and gather as a group, like the GED programs,” Behl said. “All that’s on hold.” The jail offers inmates Johnson & Johnson vaccines, requires masks and social distancing and

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decontaminates the jail with foggers on a regular basis. No inmates have been hospitalized for COVID-19, and most are experiencing symptoms of a mild cold, Behl said. The jail will mandate regular temperature checks, N-95 masks, social distancing and no staff dining to reduce the spread of the virus among employees. Although there are no exact numbers on how frequent testing is administered, he said it is more than they have in the past. “Testing is being highly encouraged,” Behl said. “It’s definitely increasing.” @Troy_Myers1 tmyers@alligator.org Makiya Seminera // Alligator Staff

Alachua County Public Schools’ COVID-19 cases increase following winter break NEW CASES AMONG STAFF ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH SINCE SCHOOLS FIRST REOPENED IN AUGUST OF 2020

By Emma Behrmann Alligator Staff Writer

New COVID-19 cases among staff and students more than tripled after the first four days back in classrooms from winter break — and this data could be an underestimation, ACPS spokesperson Jackie Johnson said. “We’ve had the highest number of active cases we’ve ever had,” Johnson said. “And we’ve got the highest total weekly number we’ve had since schools reopened.” After the first week back, there were 334 new student cases and 55 new staff cases — contributing to a total of 476 reported cases among both groups. During the week prior, in which staff and students were on break, there were still 78 new student cases and 16 new staff cases reported. Compared with this first week back in classrooms, staff cases increased by 243% and student cases increased by 328%. Even with a reported increase in cases, Johnson said these numbers are most likely an undercount.

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“The problem is the lag time with the tests,” Johnson said. “Employees notify us that they’ve got symptoms, and it takes them two or three days to get a test appointment and it takes them another couple of days to get the results back.” The mask mandate for employees, visitors and volunteers aimed to combat the spread of the virus. Despite this effort, ACPS has had the highest weekly total of active cases among staff since August 2020. ACPS warns families that the increase in staff cases could impact daily operations such as bus transportation. The county also expects more teacher absences during this surge. Throughout this month, the Alachua County Health Department is offering vaccines at all ACPS elementary and middle schools. Anyone above the age of 5 can get a vaccine. In elementary schools there were 112 new student cases and 29 new staff cases as of Sunday. In middle schools there were 79 new student cases and five new staff cases. High schools saw 141 new student cases and 12 new staff cases. In staff departments, there were seven new staff cases. @emmabehrmann ebehrmann@alligator.org

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MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 ALLIGATOR 3

City Commission votes to provide city workers with COVID-19 at-home test kits A MOTION WAS PASSED TO ENCOURAGE VACCINATION AND TESTING

By Melanie Peña Alligator Staff Writer

The Gainesville City Commission unanimously passed a three-part plan proposed by Commissioner Harvey Ward to fight the COVID-19 omicron variant. The commissioner’s plan uses $300,000 of previously allocated American Rescue Plan Act funds to pay for at-home testing kits. At their first meeting of 2022 on Thursday, city commissioners, with City Commissioner Desmon Duncan-Walker absent, voted to keep Gainesville workers safe from rising COVID-19 cases in the county. Mayor Lauren Poe said the omicron variant is very present within Gainesville workers, citing a huge spike in cases among city staff members. There were 2,072 new positive cases in Alachua County the week of Dec. 31, according to the Alachua County COVID-19 Dashboard. Ward proposed the plan to provide a solution for the lack of available at-home COVID-19 tests and to encourage Gainesville workers to get tested for COVID-19. The plan provided every vaccinated city worker $250 and two COVID-19 at-home test kits. It also included a request to UF President Kent Fuchs from the

mayor to reinstate UF’s Screen, Test and Protect program. “What I’m trying to achieve is to incentivize city workers to be vaccinated, simple as that,” Ward said. “I want our city workers healthy.” Ward originally wanted to mail the test kits to city workers. City Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos and City Commissioner Reina Saco argued mailing kits would be costly and ineffective. “I think we can leave that up to staff to figure out what’s the best way to get that [test kits] to employees,” Hayes-Santos said. Ward advocated for mail-in testing kits to avoid judgment in the workplace, fearing that employees would feel judged for requesting a kit or wouldn’t take one due to this same fear. After some debate, the measure was changed to two kits for each city worker instead of mailing them. The commissioners also added the phrase “one-time $250 payment” to the first part of the measure after some public commentary on terminology confusion. However, Poe said he wanted to leave the term “fully vaccinated” open-ended so city staff could determine if that means two shots or three shots. Despite their disagreement, the city commission compromised to take quick action with the omicron variant. @MelanieBombino_ mpena@alligator.org

Plans for supermarket in East Gainesville canceled by city commission GAINESVILLE CITY COMMISSION STOPPED DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRAVO SUPERMARKET ON HAWTHORNE ROAD THURSDAY

By Erina Anwar Alligator Staff Writer

The Gainesville City Commission has canceled its plans to put a Bravo Supermarket on the empty lot on Hawthorne Road, leaving many East Gainesville residents grounded in a food desert. The city commission general meeting Thursday discussed the future of the development plans for a Bravo franchise, a Hispaniccentered supermarket chain that was first approved in June 2021. The city approved a $3.3 million loan to open a supermarket in the empty lot on Hawthorne Road. East Gainesville residents expressed their disapproval with Bravo’s planned location because there was little community involvement in choosing the supermarket. Real estate developer Frederic Washington was the first person to convince Bravo to come onboard. At the city commission meeting, Washington said the negative reaction from community members was part of the reason why Bravo was no longer willing to come to East Gainesville. “I was frankly embarrassed,” Washington said. “You would have thought that we were trying to bring weapons grade uranium over to East Gainesville the way that we were treated.”

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The city commission looked at a checklist for due diligence within the development process. Developers did not submit many of the required documents. Gainesville interim city manager Cynthia Curry said she received an email from one of the development project partners that they wanted to drop out because the site was expensive. The City of Gainesville staff recommended the commission not to move forward with the current development plan. The city commission decided the best course of action would be to accept the staff’s recommendation and voted to stop the development of the Bravo. Commissioner Reina Saco expressed her disappointment that this project would be coming to a halt. “I understand that we are stewards of the public’s money… we need something more than half-baked,” Saco said. “I think our option now is to reopen that process.” Saco said that the city will reopen the request for proposal from businesses about what to do with the empty lot on Hawthorne Road and re-start the process of developing a supermarket. Commissioner David Arreola mentioned in the meeting that money will still be set aside for a grocery project. “I think we as a commission have to take responsibility for how we got here,” he said. The commission will have a more detailed discussion on how to move forward with this project

Manna Robertson // Alligator Staff

at a later date, Arreola said. Some East Gainesville residents like Tina Days, a 43-year-old food delivery driver, said they opposed the Bravo construction as the city commission chose it without their input. “On the one hand I’m glad because I just felt like [Bravo] wasn’t a good fit. On another hand, I am furious,” Days said after the project was halted. “On the West side, probably on every block there’s a supermarket. But you can’t attract not one supermarket for the East side?” Days said it was common for supermarkets to leave quickly after occupying the available lot. “We go there one week and the next week they’re closed with no information,” she said. “No reason given.” Residents of East Gainesville must now continue to wait in a food desert for the foreseeable future — or at least until a new supermarket agrees to develop there. @ErinaAnwar_ eanwar@alligator.org

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4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

Residents fear limited masking in students RESIDENTS, from pg. 1 mandate for residents, county employees working indoors and individuals attending board meetings are required to wear masks, said Mark Sexton, the county Communications and Legislative Affairs Director. The county is also creating motives for employees and residents who have been hesitant to get vaccinated. “We’re offering a $250 incentive for employees to get their booster shots, and we’re going back to a $100 incentive for anyone who is getting their first or second shot,” said Sexton. “We’re getting ready to reinstate a vaccine incentive for citizens, as well, to encourage them to bring our vaccine rate up.” UF students, who are considered Gainesville residents, will be eligible for this incentive, he said. However, these measures provide little solace to Gainesville locals. Tina Days, a 43-year-old East Gainesville resident and food delivery driver, is skeptical of UF’s projections after watching videos of maskless students at indoor gatherings. “You have all these people coming to these basketball games,” Days said. “I’m seeing very few with masks, and you’re coming in and you’re bringing it to

the community that is already high with omicron.” The contagiousness of the omicron variant is Days’ biggest concern, which has already hit her home. Her 13-year-old daughter came in contact with another student at Abraham Lincoln Middle School who tested positive on Tuesday. The omicron variant is more transmissible than the first variant, SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the CDC. Masks and vaccines are the best ways to prevent the virus’ spread and ensure public health. Days wishes the state and the county would prioritize public health and safety over politics. She credits UF’s lack of mask and vaccine mandates, in addition to its lack of online alternative class options, to Gov. Ron DeSantis. “People are dying,” she said. “UF needs to go online at least for the Spring semester, but it won’t. Governor DeSantis doesn’t want it to. It became too political.” The East Gainesville resident does not see a near end in sight for the pandemic. She said the only way to control COVID-19 is if people are vaccinated and wear a mask, but these conditions are not mandated in Alachua County. “This is going to be a virus that's going to stay with us. How we deal with it is on us,” she said. The Florida Department of

Health released new COVID-19 testing guidelines Thursday that say testing is unlikely to clinically benefit asymptomatic individuals. Constance Harbin, a 50-yearold Newberry resident and a proposal manager for Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., thinks this guidance will discourage people, like UF students, from being tested. Like Days, Harbin experienced a COVID-19 issue with her 32-year-old daughter. She tried to schedule an online doctor’s appointment when her daughter showed symptoms resembling the virus, but she could not find one. “The community resources are stretched thin already,” she wrote in a direct message on Facebook. The arrival of UF students only exacerbates the shortage, she added. “UF really is putting the entire Gainesville community at risk by not supporting virtual classes,” Harbin added. Business owners also face challenges with students returning amid the surging pandemic. Local businesses are dependent on students to stay afloat, but more customers is synonymous with more chances for infections. Restaurant owners, like 63-year-old SweetBerries Eatery and Frozen Custard owner Jane

Minca Davis // Alligator Staff

Osmond, are grateful that business is booming but are wary about the virus spreading. “I’m probably more concerned about the delta variant spreading around since it seems to cause greater illness,” Osmond said. She has about 30 employees and about 25 of them have been infected with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, she said. Currently, three SweetBerries staff members are in quarantine. This staff shortage puts strain on Osmond and the other employees that are able to work. “Some people are willing to work overtime, but we will probably end up having to make some kind of changes to either our hours or what we offer,” Osmond

added. SweetBerries is maintaining its standard sanitization and social distancing measures that were implemented at the start of the pandemic. It still requires all employees — in the front and back of the restaurant — to wear masks. It also asks that customers wear masks, though Osmond admitted that some frequenters do not. “We're kind of following what we've been following from the beginning,” she said. Almost two years have passed since the beginning of the pandemic, but normalcy still seems out of grasp. @Carissaallenn callen@alligator.org

Fuchs served as president for eight years FUCHS, from pg. 1

Alligator File Photo

UF President Kent Fuchs receives his first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at UF Health Shands Cancer Hospital Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021.

in place, Bloom said. They set guidelines for how the search committees are formed, and then these individuals begin the selection process, he said. The committee finds a slate of candidates to be interviewed and the Board of Trustees will vote on the final candidate, Bloom said. Their decision is subject to the approval of the Board of Governors. Bloom sensed Fuchs’ decision to step down for a while based on subtle comments he made over the last year. Even though it was not a huge surprise, it is always a jolt when you hear the news, he said. UF is really a large enterprise, Bloom said, so it is important that whoever becomes the next president has strong leadership skills and experience with running a complex unit like UF. “The president, they wear a lot of hats, and that’s why it’s really impressive you spend eight years in this job that just takes hours each day being tugged in a lot of different directions,” Bloom said. Fuchs prioritized meeting with UF Student Body President Cooper Brown to share ideas and collaborate on issues that impacted the student body. “I realized how special Dr. Fuchs was when meeting other Student Body Presidents in Florida and in the SEC, learning that they often struggle to schedule just one meeting with their President/Chancellor,” Brown wrote in an email. Fuchs’ presidency saw many achievements

but also found itself amid ongoing discord. Three political science professors, followed by five additional professors spoke out against the school. They claimed UF limited their academic freedom and violated their First Amendment rights by denying them the ability to testify as expert witnesses in a case against the state. UF received backlash from members of Congress, faculty, students and the general public. The national attention caused UF’s accrediting body to open an investigation and the affected professors opened a lawsuit against the school. Fuchs and Provost Joe Glover appointed a task force Nov. 1, 2021 to review the university’s conflicts of interest policy as a way to mediate the intensifying circumstances. Four days later, Fuchs announced that he asked the university to reverse its decision to bar professors from testifying. The university agreed, and the professors were granted permission to participate in the lawsuits. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released a statement Wednesday addressing UF’s upcoming leadership change. “UF has benefited greatly under his leadership,” Wasserman Schultz wrote. “My hope is that in his final year, this president reasserts the academic freedom and integrity that will continue to fuel my alma mater’s scholarly excellence and achievements.” Now the Gator Nation must wait to see who will be chosen to fill Fuchs’ big shoes. @elenabarreraaa ebarrera@alligator.org

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 ALLIGATOR 5

“To be her friend was to feel true joy”: In Honor of Sabrina Marie Obando Deceased UF graduate awed her friends and professor with wit, kindness and intelligence By Allessandra Inzinna Alligator Staff Writer

To be Sabrina Marie Obando’s friend was to be showered in love, laughter and light. Madison Bushloper, her close friend, recounted their relationship as stronger than a family member. “She never failed to bring out the best in everyone,” Bushloper wrote in a text message. “I always felt my most vibrant and joyous when in her presence.” Obando, a 22-year-old Miami native, graduated cum laude in Fall 2021 with a degree in art history. On Jan. 4, Obando was hit by a pickup truck while she was crossing the sidewalk around 12:30 p.m. on the intersection of Northwest 8th Ave. and Northwest 10th St. Following the crash, she was transported to UF Health Shands Hospital where she died from her injuries. “Sabrina wanted more than anything else for her friends to truly feel how much she loved them,” Bushloper wrote. Others like her roommate Sara Ernst, felt instant connections with her. Even though Obando was reserved, Ernst said that was OK, because she was the same way. It would take time to crack open her shell. “Our energies were pulling us together. And from that point on, we just really became best friends,” Ernst said. After meeting in a group chat, Obando and Ernst spent their fresh-

man year getting closer. The two moved in together in 2019. Ernst is framing Obando’s artwork for a celebration of her life for her friends Jan. 15. Obando’s inclination toward art shined through in their house decorations. She painted abstract works of swirling colors, still life and even a portrait of Tony Soprano. She turned her bedroom into a work of art itself with posters, photos and knick-knacks. “Our house is full of furniture and artwork and things that we did and I think it’s because it has more meaning,” Ernst said. “It gives me a lot of like solace to be there just because everything means something to us.” Obando’s friendship was the greatest of Ernst’s life. Obando’s death comes among several other fatal pedestrian crashes in the last few years. Mark Merwitzer, president of Florida Not One More, noted that the intersection she crossed had been cited as a hazard. “I think we need to have a serious community conversation about how we should make our streets safer going forward,” he said. “So that this does not happen again and not one more family has to go through what Miss Obando’s family has gone through.” The loss of Obando meant the loss of her distinctive sense of humor. Basel Hussein, a 22-year-old UF architecture senior and close friend

of Obando, dressed-up Obando’s Barbie-esque Michael Jackson doll in crochet outfits. The two laughed often and hard. They felt like children together, they said. Obando’s taste in just about everything, from music to clothes, was eclectic and uniquely her. She listened to ’80s music, hyperpop and house. She especially adored Michael Jackson. “Joy is the best way I could put it,” Hussein said. “There really were no walls or barriers [in] what we would do or laugh about.” Obando also adored SOPHIE and Lady Gaga, going so far as to stock up on the limited edition Chromatica Oreo’s when they came out in early 2021. She thrifted many of her clothes and did makeup expertly. Erica Allen knew her love for makeup from shared experiences as the front-of-house manager at Crane Ramen, where Obando worked since August 2021. When a punk music festival came to Gainesville Halloween weekend, Crane Ramen was ready to be slammed with customers. However, rain and gloom prevented the crowds and left the staff with little to do. Obando found an outlet. Obando, who had dressed up as a bunny complete with face-paint and ears, painted another staff member’s face with excitement. “She looked so happy,” Allen said. “She was so giddy and excited that someone was letting her do their makeup.”

Makiya Seminera // Alligator Staff

Courtesy to The Alligator

Obando’s professors took notice of her intelligence. When she spoke up in her “What is Desire?” class, assistant professor Pietro Bianchi listened closely. She gave thoughtful, precise and intelligent commentary on all the topics they explored in the class, where students analyzed the concept of desire and sexuality through film and literature. When she took the class in her last semester, Fall 2021, Bianchi knew she was special. “She was one of the most brilliant and smart [students], not only that I had in this class, but I think that I’ve ever met in general among all the undergraduate students that I have met since I started to work at UF,” he said. Her final paper explored the film Lost Highway (1997) by David Lynch, a director notorious for macbre and mind-bending cinematic experiences. Bianchi, who analyzed the film himself, was blown away by her investigation of its themes. “She gave interpretations of this film that were so interesting and surprising and original that it’s one of those cases where even as a professor, you learn something from your students,” he said. Bianchi wasn’t the only one in awe at her intelligence. Obando spoke three languages: English, French and Spanish. She and her friend Charles Karcher would text in French to keep up their skills. The two met when Karcher and a friend formed the UF Young Democratic Socialists of America in 2019. Obando joined the club when it first started, and a friendship formed from their shared passion for remedying societal issues. “She cared about things like

social justice and socialism and stuff,” Karcher said. “It was definitely a part of her personality that brought us together.” The two protested when Charlie Kirk, a conservative radio talk show host, came to speak at UF in 2019. They also advocated for a livable wage by protesting Aramark — a food supplier to UF that uses prison labor. When the club fell apart, Obando and Karcher didn’t give up and got back to activism work when the pandemic started. They found themselves consistently disappointed in UF’s response to COVID-19, including its lack of a mask mandate and vaccine mandate. Obando connected with others over their shared morals. Liel Zoran, a 20-year-old UF psychology graduate met her in a philosophy class and frequented the same political circles. “She’s this kind of person that when you’re around, you just feel at ease. You just feel peaceful because you know that you don’t need to worry about trying to be someone that you’re not,” Zoran said. “She was the type of person that just made me feel so accepted.” Obando’s friends and family set up two GoFundMes to raise money for funeral expenses and flying Obando’s body back to Miami. As of Sunday, they raised $14,889 of their $10,000 goal. Another fundraiser began Jan. 7 and has raised $5,000 of their $25,000 goal by Jan. 10. “She was a bright spark in the world taken far too soon, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her,” the GoFundMe read. @ainzinna ainzinna@alligator.org

6 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

UF Health discontinued Screen, Test & Protect in light of Spring semester’s start

UF Health STP was created in May 2020 as an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic By Lucille Lannigan Alligator Staff Writer

When national news told UF professor Mark Hostetler that COVID-19 cases were going up, he watched the UF Health Screen, Test and Protect dashboard regularly that monitored the virus on campus. “I think as a teacher, as a student and as a staff member, it’s important to know locally what’s going on,” the wildlife ecology and conservation professor said. But the university’s STP dashboard was halted as COVID-19 cases increased in Alachua County. A campus brief on Dec. 13 announced that UF was transferring services provided under UF Health Screen, Test & Protect to the Florida Department of Health. Hostetler fears that not being able to see the number of COVID-19 cases locally will detach people from the virus. “If you report the numbers and see the number of staff, faculty and students that are quarantined themselves, it kind of reinforces that behavior,” he said. “If you don’t have it locally, it’s just like something out there.” Hostetler acknowledged the numbers reported on the dashboard are not 100% accurate as some people do to not report their test results.

“I sympathize with them,” Hostetler said. “Why would they report? What’s the ramifications if they’re positive?” The UF Health STP program was part of the initial emergency response to COVID-19, UF Health spokesperson Ken

Garcia wrote in an email. The transition of services to existing local and state health infrastructure is the next phase in UF’s response. Student and employee testing for COVID-19 still exists, but it was transferred

to the Student Health Care Center. Students who went to set up an appointment at the end of December before the start of the Spring semester saw no available time slots. UF responded and returned testing to the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the first week of classes, Garcia wrote. Students, faculty and staff are also able to receive vaccines and boosters through the Student Health Care Center and UF Health pharmacies at no cost. The same screening exists and can be found through ONE.UF. However, UF Health ended its STP dashboard. The dashboard made it easy to track COVID-19 cases among UF affiliates. Charts and graphs showed the number of daily tests, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine. Upon visiting the website, a notice currently appears with the effective discontinuation date of Dec. 31. This service has also been transferred to the FDOH. The issue raised questions about the ease of accessing this data. Garcia wrote that the FDOH releases this data on Fridays and that Alachua County provides it on its dashboard.

Ashleigh Lucas // Alligator Staff

@lucillelannigan llannigan@alligator.org

UF Student Government prepares for the Spring Semester AMID A YEAR OF TRANSITIONS, STUDENT GOVERNMENT PREPARES FOR UPCOMING EVENTS AND ELECTIONS THIS SPRING

By Maia Botek Alligator Staff Writer

Student Government released a timeline for the upcoming Spring election and planned semester events during its first week of the semester. After a Fall semester that saw graduate seat vacancies and an unusually low number of bills on the Senate floor, SG officers are preparing for the Spring semester. Elections, which will take place in late February, kick off with party registration beginning 9 a.m. Jan. 21. Students can visit the SG office located in the Reitz Union to register parties, which must be completed by noon Jan. 27. An informational meeting will mark the beginning of the election Jan. 25. After registration, qualifying and slating will take place to determine party candidates until Feb. 2. Students can cast their votes for the Executive Branch, including the Student Body President, Vice President and Treasurer, and 50 Senators (by college) Feb. 22 to 23. Results will be announced Mar. 1. It is unclear what specific parties plan on registering. Gator Party holds a Senate majority with over 60 seats.

Change Party has nine senators. Students can contact the supervisor of elections, Alexandra Stedman, with questions about the election. Senate Pro-Tempore Noah Fineberg (Gator, District A) wrote in an email that throughout the semester students can look forward to SG’s high level of programs and services. “My goals remain the same as they were when I first ran for this job,” Fineberg wrote in an email. “Making government work better, continuing to use Senate’s platforms to encourage more students to apply for open seats and holding one-on-ones with every Senator.” The Big Event, a day of community service hosted by SG, is planned for Mar. 19. The day features three- to four-hour service events with the mission of giving back to Gainesville’s community. Jake Siegel, Chair of Student Government Productions, said in a Senate meeting Nov. 9 that SGP had two concerts planned for February and March. The details of those events have not yet been announced. “Our focus as we move into the next semester is to provide largescale big events,” Siegel said. SG hasn’t scheduled any more events for the student body this semester. Students can expect new legislation to make its way to the Senate floor. The Resolution Recognizing and Upholding the Zero Waste Mission Commitment authored by Minority Party Leader

Gabrielle Adekunle is to be passed in the coming semester. The resolution, which seeks to commit UF to reducing waste by 2030, was postponed by the Judiciary Committee Dec. 5 on the grounds that the wording did not meet the requirements expected of a resolution. If amended, the resolution will be reviewed again by the Judiciary Committee.

Adekunle did not respond for comment. Despite the two-party system, the Communist Party, led by President Alfredo Ortiz, 21, hopes to see more party diversity within SG and an emphasis on democratic values. “Our goal this election is to call attention to the violation of rights that not just happen in Student

Government, but also the Florida state government,” Ortiz said. “Things like representation in the Senate.” Other parties did not respond to The Alligator in time for publication. @BotekMaia mbotek@alligator.org

Kate McNamara // Alligator Staff

MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

MUSIC

Rate and Review: The Weeknd balances nostalgia and new age in “Dawn FM” THE WEEKND’S 16-TRACK ALBUM DROPPED ON FRIDAY

By Thandie Brown Alligator Staff Writer

A suffocating relationship fueled by gasoline and the blind will to keep moving forward make a great story. Include ’80s synthesizers and love-toned harmonies and the recipe for the next The Weeknd album is in your hands. I wasn’t expecting to travel through the last 40 years of music listening to this project but I did, twice. Eleven years after the release of his mixtape trilogy “House of Balloons,” “Thursday” and “Echoes of Silence,” The Weeknd is a multiplatinum, Grammy award-winning artist. His newest album released on Jan. 7, “Dawn FM,” marks one of the first music projects to be dropped in 2022. Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, boasts a broad and bold discography using elements of ’80s funk, pop and R&B. On Spotify, the 31-year-old artist has over 80 million monthly listeners, and Friday’s drop shared a new 52-minute, 16-track album. Through the album, The Weeknd invited his listeners to once again feel the nostalgia he conveys in his music. The Weeknd’s work parodies popular Christian radio station 103.5 WMUZ-FM. Instead of using his music to spread ‘the Good News,’ these songs, although upbeat, carry a sultry underlying tone that discuss unholy experiences. He frames these experiences through nostalgic radio mixes, classic ’80s remixes and textured sound effects. Staying true to the era, instrumental breaks build the anticipation for The Weeknd’s harmonies. Transitions between songs “Dawn FM,” “Gasoline,” “How Do I Make You Love Me” and “Take My Breath” are smooth and seamless. The basic drum samples are upbeat and pass from one song effortlessly to the next. The Weeknd does not waver from his signature style either. Many of these tracks have a ‘gotcha’ factor — the tunes imply relaxation but the lyrics make you concentrate. After listening to the album, you want to watch his music video and listen again. The subtle metaphors of his lyrics are illustrated in the music videos for “Sacrifice” and “Take My Breath.” Rappers Lil Wayne and Tyler, the Creator are the two musical artists he featured on this project. Tyler appears on “Here We Go… Again” and Wayne on “I Heard You’re Married.” Michael Jackson’s historic influence is strongly heard in “Here We Go… Again.” Lies, love and dreams are richly sung. The

Makiya Seminera // Alligator Staff.

synthesizer that carries the track complements The Weeknd’s vocals, while Tyler’s verse stresses caution in these kinds of relationships. Wayne’s verse in “I Heard You’re Married” delivers a sour humor that bitterly fits the song. Although The Weeknd uses his creativity to tell a story about people’s pleasures and desires, he also sings about the painful realities that these pleasures cost. “Starry Eyes” is a track that sums the personal costs of staying in unhealthy relationships. The haunting melody and the shortness of the song play into that danger of wanting more of a bad thing. My favorite song on “Dawn FM” is “Out of Time.” As an avid Japanese ’80s pop mixtape lover, hearing the intro for “Midnight Pretenders,” written by Tomoko Aran and Tetsuro Hamada, made me jump up and listen with more excitement. “Out of Time” is a reflective song and delivers a message similar

Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter. Tweet us @TheFloridaAve.

to Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man.” It reframed the original desire in Aran’s song in the despairing loss of no longer having who you want. As The Weeknd’s perspective on who he desires changes, the messages that alluded to salvation earlier in the album are now more aggressive and carry harder tones. Interlude, “A Tale By Quincy” and songs “Sacrifice” and “Starry Eyes” define those changes in the album. The tempo is more progressive — similar to ’90s tracks. As the styles of the songs become more modern, the relationship he describes in the beginning of the album loses its luster. A softer drumming of the guitar frames “Less Than Zero” as he sings about moving on. He uses this instrument to share how the intensity of the relationships have softened. They’ve lost their vibrancy and he is ready to let go. The Weeknd’s aged appearance on the

cover isn’t a coincidence. Experiencing relationships like the ones in this album are taxing. The head-bopping ’80s tracks make the story’s heaviness easier to digest. This is a great new selection for Karaoke Night with friends or family. As of Jan. 8, Billboard’s Hot 100 listed The Weeknd in two spaces. Separate collaborations with artists Doja Cat and Post Malone, earned him spots 39 and 42 on the list. Producing an album like this after experiencing a Grammy snub last year shows how The Weeknd’s artistry spotlights the things that bring him pain. He collaborated with no less than 15 producers to create “Dawn FM.” This final product shows their collaboration and deserves a rating of 9/10. @decidedlioness tbrown@alligator.org

Gator basketball weathers a stormy season

A closer look at Florida men’s basketball’s turbulent season, pg. 11 Scan to follow the Avenue on Spotify

El Caimán

LUNES, 10 DE ENERO DE 2022 www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman

Casos de COVID-19 en escuelas públicas del Condado de Alachua incrementan luego del descanso de invierno NUEVOS CASOS ENTRE EL PERSONAL ALCANZAN SU PUNTO MÁS ALTO DESDE QUE LAS ESCUELAS REABRIERON EN AGOSTO DE 2020

Por Emma Behrmann Escritora de El Caimán

Traducido por Jose Tovar Escritor de El Caimán

Los nuevos casos de COVID-19 entre personal y estudiantes se han más que triplicado después de los primeros cuatro días de vuelta a las aulas luego del descanso de invierno — y esta información podría ser una subestimación, dijo la portavoz de ACPS, Jackie Johnson. “Hemos tenido la mayor cantidad de casos activos que jamás hayamos tenido,'' dijo Johnson. “Y hemos tenido el número semanal más alto desde que las escuelas reabrieron.” Luego de la primera semana de vuelta, hubo 334 nuevos casos de estudiantes y 55 nuevos casos en el personal — contribuyendo a un total de 476 casos reportados

entre ambos grupos. Durante la semana previa, en la cual el personal y los estudiantes estaban de descanso, aún hubo 78 nuevos casos de estudiantes y 16 nuevos casos de personal reportados. Comparados con esta primera semana de vuelta a las aulas, los casos de personal aumentaron por un 243% y los casos de estudiantes aumentaron por un 328%. Incluso con un incremento reportado, Johnson dijo que esos números probablemente sean una subestimación. “El problema es el tiempo de retraso con las pruebas,” dijo Johnson. “Los empleados nos notifican que tienen síntomas, y les toma dos o tres días para obtener una cita para examinarse y les toma otro par de días para recibir los resultados.” El mandato de mascarilla para empleados, visitantes y voluntarios tenía como objetivo combatir la propagación del virus. A pesar de este esfuerzo, el ACPS ha tenido el total semanal más alto de casos activos entre el personal desde Agosto de 2020.

El ACPS advierte a las familias que el incremento de casos en el personal podría afectar operaciones diarias tales como el transporte de autobús. El condado también espera más ausencias de maestros durante este aumento. A lo largo de este mes, el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Alachua está ofreciendo vacunas en todas las escuelas primarias y medias del ACPS. Cualquier persona mayor de 5 años puede recibir una vacuna. En las escuelas primarias hubo 112 nuevos casos de estudiantes y 29 nuevos casos de personal hasta el Domingo. En las escuelas medias hubo 79 nuevos casos de estudiantes y cinco nuevos casos de personal. Las escuelas secundarias vieron 141 nuevos casos de estudiantes y 12 nuevos casos de personal. En departamentos de personal, hubo siete nuevos casos de personal. @emmabehrmann ebehrmann@alligator.org

El condado de Alachua enfrenta incrementos en casos positivos de Covid-19 entre prisioneros EL TOTAL HA AUMENTADO 11 CASOS DESDE EL JUEVES

Por Troy Myers Escritor de El Caimán

Traducido por Marian Hernandez Escritora de El Caimán

A partir de este pasado viernes, más de cien prisioneros en la prisión del condado de Alachua dieron positivos al Covid-19, dijo la portavoz de la oficina del alguacil del condado, la capitana Kaley Behl. Entre los casos positivos, ochenta y ocho son masculinos y veinte son femeninos. Adicionalmente, veintisiete empleados dieron positivo al virus, Behl dijo. Las visitas en persona y los programas de los presos permanecerán en pausa. “Los que se llevan a cabo dentro de la prisión que requieren que ellos se muevan o que se reúnan en grupos, como los programas de educación secundaria para adultos”, dijo Behl. “Todos esos están en

pausa”. La prisión les ofrece las vacunas de Johnson & Johnson, requiere mascarillas, distanciamiento social, y hace descontaminaciones con fumigadores regularmente. Ningún preso ha sido hospitalizado por motivos de Covid-19 hasta el momento y la mayoría está sintiendo síntomas de un reflujo leve, Behl dijo. La cárcel va a requerir tomos de temperaturas con regularidad, el uso de las mascarillas N-95, el distanciamiento social, y no permitirá que el personal cene junto para reducir la propagación del virus entre los empleados. Aunque no hay un número exacto con respecto a la frecuencia con la que se administran las pruebas, Behl dijo que son más que las que había antes. “Las pruebas están siendo recomendadas encarecidamente'', dijo Behl. “Definitivamente está subiendo el número de estas”. @Troy_Myers1 tmyers@alligator.org

Planes de un supermercado en el este de Gainesville fueron cancelados por la comisión de la ciudad LA COMISIÓN DE LA CIUDAD DE GAINESVILLE PARÓ EL DESARROLLO DE UN SUPERMERCADO BRAVO EN LA CALLE HAWTHORNE ESTE PASADO JUEVES

Por Erina Anwar Escritora de El Caimán

Traducido por Marian Hernandez Escritora de El Caimán

La comisión de la ciudad de Gainesville ha cancelado su plan de abrir un supermercado Bravo en el lote vacío en la calle Hawthorne, dejando a muchos residentes del este de Gainesville en un desierto alimenticio. La comisión de la ciudad tuvo una reunión general el jueves, donde se discutió el futuro de los planes de desarrollo de la franquicia del Bravo, una cadena de supermercados centrada en comida hispana que fue aprobada en junio del 2021. La ciudad aprobó un préstamo de $3.3 millones para abrir un supermercado en el lote vacío en la calle Hawthorne. Los residentes del este de Gainesville ex-

presaron su descontento con la ubicación planificada para el mercado ya que hubo poco involucramiento comunitario al escoger el supermercado. El desarrollador de bienes raíces, Frederic Washington fue la primera persona en convencer a Bravo a sumarse al plan. Durante la reunión de la comisión de la ciudad, Washington dijo que la reacción negativa de los miembros de la comunidad fue parte de la razón por la cual Bravo ya no quiere venir al este de Gainesville. “Francamente me dio mucha pena”, Washington dijo. “Pareciera que estábamos tratando de traer uranio de grado armamentístico al este de Gainesville dad la manera en la que nos trataron.” La comisión de la ciudad examinó la lista de verificación buscando debida diligencia durante el proceso de desarrollo. Los desarrolladores no entregaron los documentos requeridos. La administradora interina de la ciudad, Cynthia Curry dijo que ella recibió un correo electrónico de uno de los socios del proyecto de desarrollo comunicando que querían salirse del plan porque el lugar era muy caro. El personal de la ciudad de Gainesville sug-

Mantente al día con El Caimán en Twitter. Envíanos un tweet @alligatorElCaiman.

irió que no se siguiera adelante con el plan actual de desarrollo. La comisión de la ciudad decidió que la mejor medida a tomar era aceptar las sugerencias del personal y votar por parar el desarrollo de Bravo. La notaria Reina Saco expresó su disgusto con el hecho que el proyecto haya sido detenido. “Yo entiendo que nosotros somos mayordomos del dinero de la población…necesitamos algo que no se quede a medias”, dijo Saco. “Creo que nuestra opción ahora es reabrir ese proceso”. Saco dijo que la ciudad va a reabrir la solicitud de propuestas a los negocios para decidir qué hacer con el lote vacío en la calle Hawthorne y volver a comenzar el proceso de desarrollar un supermercado. El notario David Arreola mencionó durante la reunión que el presupuesto se mantendría reservado para un proyecto de comestibles. “Creo que como comisión debemos tomar la responsabilidad por cómo llegamos aquí”, dijo. La comisión tendrá una discusión más detallada sobre cómo seguir adelante con este proyecto en una fecha posterior, dijo Arreola.

Gators erase 19-point deficit for first SEC win

Gators survive double-overtime thriller for first SEC win of the Finley Era, pg. 11

Algunos residentes del este de Gainesville, como por ejemplo Tina Days, una conductora de entrega de comida de 43 años, dijo que ellos se opusieron a la construcción del Bravo porque la comisión de la ciudad tomó la decisión sin tomarlos en cuenta. “Por una parte estoy contenta porque sentí que un Bravo no iba a encajar. Pero por otra parte, estoy furiosa”. Dijo Days luego de que el proyecto se detuviera. “En el lado oeste, hay un supermercado casi en cada esquina. Pero para el lado este no pueden atraer ni un supermercado” Days dijo que es común que los supermercados se vayan luego de ocupar este lote vacío en Hawthorne. “Vamos durante una semana y ya la próxima semana están cerrados, sin informarnos”, dijo ella. “No dan ninguna razón” Los residentes del este de Gainesville ahora siguen esperando en un desierto alimenticio para el futuro inmediato- o por lo menos hasta que otro supermercado esté de acuerdo con desarrollarse allí”

Síganos para actualizaciones

Para obtener actualizaciones de El Caimán, síganos en línea en www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman.

@ErinaAnwar_ eanwar@alligator.org

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solution on page 10 Release Date: Monday, January 10, 2022 Release Date: Thursday, January 6, 2022

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MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 www.alligator.org/section/sports

MEN'S BASKETBALL

A closer look at Florida men’s basketball’s turbulent season THE GATORS HAVE STRUGGLED AS OF LATE AFTER A STRONG START TO THE 2021-22 SEASON

By Jackson Castellano Sports Writer

The Gators opened the season in early November at seventh in the SEC media poll and were unranked amongst the nation according to the Associated Press. Three weeks later, they were an undefeated, top-25 team with a ranked victory over bitter rivals Florida State. The statement win against the Seminoles was the first under Florida head coach Mike White, snapping a seven-game losing streak to the across-state foes. UF forced 17 turnovers in the game with the help of a monstrous six-block performance from senior Colin Castleton. Fast forward three more weeks, and they’re out of the AP poll — winless in conference play and 3-5 over their last eight games. Those five losses include the likes of Maryland, Texas Southern and Oklahoma. This situation has left many of the UF faithful wondering: How did this happen? This inconsistency isn't as unexpected as it looks. It goes back to the

Nov. 24 matchup against Ohio State, in the midst of Florida’s six-game winning streak to begin the season. The championship game of the Fort Myers Tip-Off was destined for overtime as the scoreboard became knotted at 68. Senior Tyree Appleby took one dribble past the mid-court before heaving a prayer towards the rim. His shot miraculously dropped through the net — deciding the game by the slimmest margin available in basketball. The Gators emerged victorious, but that doesn’t mean they put themselves into a winning position. Florida shot a meager 1-9 from behind the arc in the first half and found itself trailing by four after 20 minutes, but pulled back after shooting 60% from range in the second. Alongside a sloppy 4:3 assist-turnover ratio for the season, these don’t signal any sort of sustainable success, and these small irregularities in wins quickly became reasons for losses. These inconsistencies finally became decisive in Florida’s first true road test of the season against Oklahoma, as UF shot 16.7% from three in the game. Unlike the matchup versus the Buckeyes, Florida couldn't turn things around in time for a lastsecond victory. The Gators were defeated 74-67 in Norman, Oklahoma, after going scoreless in the last 1:58.

Florida accumulated 16 turnovers, which the Sooners’ capitalized on to create 19 free points for their squad. When the Gators returned home to face at-the-time winless Texas Southern, their season reached its lowest point yet. Florida, again shooting under 25% from deep, while allowing 32 bench points, and 42 points in the paint. The Gators fell by 14 to the Tigers in what many considered to be a bye game for UF. Perhaps this can be chalked up to fatigue, as it was the Gators’ fourth game in 12 days. Regardless, that sort of performance is a tough pill to swallow for a team that was undefeated less than two weeks prior. Florida was improving marginally, but is still working through crushing defeats. Despite shooting 38% from the field and reducing the turnover count to 12, it wasn’t enough, as the red-hot ‘Terps shot 60% from three in the contest and came out on top with a last second bucket from junior forward Donta Scott. Florida would rack up two more wins after being sent packing from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York and entered the holiday break mostly uncertain about its chances in conference play. It didn’t help that the first scheduled game of the new year against Ole Miss, which would have been an appreciated ramp-up for a

competitive SEC, was postponed due to health and safety protocols. Florida’s matinee SEC competition was now against the reigning conference champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide. As one might expect, the Gators’ lingering issues from December were apparent in the face of elevated competition. A season-high 20 turnovers, accompanied by 19 points each from ‘Bama’s Jahvon Quinerly and Juwan Gary, resulted in a 13 point loss at home for UF. This leads Florida to its most recent defeat at the hands of Auburn on Saturday. The Gators were unable to take control of the game at any point, their largest lead of three coming just two minutes into the game. UF turned the ball over 12 times, an improvement after an abysmal performance the previous game, but not enough to surpass the bare minimum needed to topple the No. 9 ranked Tigers. Auburn was firing on all cylinders, with a total shot percentage of 57% and 14 fast-break points. Florida’s helplessness in the game is best surmised by Auburn guard Wendell Green Jr. stepping back and cashing in from 30+ feet over a 6’11” Castleton to put the Tigers up 11 as halftime neared. With another dangerous SEC matchup against top-25 ranked Louisiana State on the horizon Wednes-

day, Florida is in a very troubling position. On the bright side, the formula for turning the season around is laid out plainly for the Gators: “Turnovers are something that’s kind of been our kryptonite,” senior Anthony Duruji said after the loss to AU. “We have to keep on making simple plays and reads, keep them from scoring in transition, and just be solid.” Not everything is in need of improvement, however. The Gators have been excellent at creating points off turnovers, with 22 compared to Auburn’s 13. That, and totaling 73 points versus one the more stout defensive units in the conference, is no scratch. Auburn ranks eighth in the nation for adjusted defensive efficiency according to the Pomeroy Basketball Rankings, a well-respected and comprehensive database for college basketball. The Gators conference schedule is daunting, but with 16 games to go in the regular season, there is still a substantial amount of time left before any assessments on their season become concrete. The Gators face off against Louisiana State in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center January 12 at 7 p.m. @jaxacastellano jcastellano@alligator.org

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators survive double-overtime thriller for first SEC win of the Finley era KIARA SMITH AND ZIPPY BROUGHTON LED FLORIDA TO A TOUGH ROAD VICTORY WON AT THE FREE- THROW LINE

By Caleb Wiegandt Sports Writer

Declan Walsh // Alligator Staff

alligatorSports has a podcast! The alligatorSports Podcast releases episodes every Wednesday and can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your other preferred streaming platform.

Graduate senior Kiara Smith demanded the ball as Florida’s offense surged up the court, facing a Texas A&M defense that stood completely baffled by the diminutive guard. The redshirt senior takes two aggressive dribbles, hesitates, then takes another. She falls to the floor, absorbing the contact and flipping the ball towards the rim on the way down. It falls in; count the basket and the foul. Smith has executed this move so many times in a Gators tenure filled with agonizing defeats and embarrassing seasons. But this time, it contributed to a signature, top-25 win for Florida’s women’s basketball team. After surviving an Aggie onslaught in the second quarter, it was Florida's veteran leadership that got them to the free throw line and ultimately gave them an exhilarating first SEC victory under interim head coach Kelly Rae Finley. Florida (11-5, 1-2 SEC) upset No. 25 Texas A&M (10-5, 0-3 SEC) 97-89 on the road Sunday afternoon in double overtime in the team’s first game after losing leading scorer and rebounder Lavender Briggs to a stress reaction in her lower leg.

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Briggs dealt with the injury for some time before it was announced by Finley Friday morning that she would miss the remainder of the season. The Gators would come roaring back to outscore the Aggies 70-55 over the final two quarters and subsequent overtimes to secure their first ever win in College Station, Texas after being down as many as 19 points early in the fourth quarter. Senior guards Smith and Zippy Broughton were brilliant for Florida, leading the team with 28 and 27 points respectively. Broughton delivered her baskets more evenly, scoring 14 of the Gators’ 27 first half points. Smith, however, poured in 25 points in the second half and subsequent overtimes after only scoring two in the first half. Both guards carved up an Aggies defense that allowed 26 points in the paint after halftime. Fouled or not, both guards were difficult to stop when attacking the rim. “Kiki [Kiara Smith] and Zippy [Broughton] performed like the elite guards that they are,” Finley said. “They play both ends of the floor, they’re creative scorers and playmakers and they were fun to watch compete today.” Forward Jordyn Merritt continued her excellent sophomore year, adding 17 points with 5-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Both teams played a relatively sloppy first quarter, Texas A&M especially. The Aggies missed every field goal attempt until the 4:06 mark of the period. Both teams shot abysmal percentages from the floor in that span, Florida 31% and Texas A&M 17%.

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Aggies head coach Gary Blair called timeout after a quick four points from Florida to open the second quarter. Quadashah Hoppie attacked the perimeter out of the stoppage, as Texas A&M’s lead guard slipped away from the Gator defense and found space for a number of 3-pointers and mid-range baskets. The graduate student was a huge factor in the Aggies’ comeback late in the second quarter, finishing the first half with 12 points on 5-10 shooting. The Aggies owned the offensive glass in the first half, out rebounding the Gators 10-2 while translating the advantage into 11 secondchance points. Florida contributed to their halftime deficit just as much, though, settling for and missing long- range baskets. By the 4:30 mark of the third quarter, Texas A&M stretched its lead to 16. Immediately after that, the Gators went on a 9-0 run catalyzed by Smith and senior Kristina Moore, who provided a spark off the bench. Florida cut the Aggies’ lead to nine at the conclusion of the quarter. A flurry of Gator 3-pointers continued Florida’s run early in the fourth. Merritt connected for two baskets behind the arc, and Moore’s three gave the Gators their first lead since the second quarter.

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@calebwiegandt cwiegandt@alligator.org

12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022

BASEBALL

Gator Baseball Preview: Pitchers Sophomore Hunter Barco will headline a pitching staff that will include nine freshmen By Carson Cashion Sports Writer

Sophomore Hunter Barco will encounter an abundance of new faces when he scans the Florida pitching staff this season. Twelve pitchers that entered the 2021 season with the Gators are not returning this spring, and nine freshmen will enter their first season wearing orange and blue. With the exception of Barco, Florida’s extreme roster turnover this offseason has shrouded the pitching staff in uncertainty. Florida’s crop of highly touted freshmen could still vault Florida back into the national championship conversation despite the team’s lack of proven starpower. How that talent develops will likely determine how Florida fares in postseason play. In Florida’s brief 2021 postseason appearance, manager Kevin O’Sullivan sent nine players to the mound through four games in the SEC Tournament and two at the NCAA Regional in Gainesville. Only two of those pitchers return this season: a preseason All-American selection by Perfect Game in Barco and fellow sophomore Brandon Sproat. Program staples like Tommy Mace, Jack Leftwich, Christian Scott and Franco Aleman have departed the team and gone pro. Although last season’s pitching staff was not always elite, posting a lowly 4.38 ERA, the leadership that those veterans provided will be sorely missed this season.

The 2022 group will include only two upperclassmen: graduate student Garrett Milchin and redshirt junior Hunter McMullen. The rest of the pitching staff consists of sophomores or younger, although some players will enter their third year at UF, including Barco and Sproat — as 2020 did not count towards their eligibility. As O’Sullivan tries to determine his starters and makeup of the bullpen, he will be relying on the performances he’s seen in fall training, as many players will be making their collegiate debuts this season. The one player that the skipper will be able to rely on most is Barco. As the Jacksonville native enters his third season in Gainesville, he will be looking to build on a stellar breakout season. After entering the program as the No. 14 prospect in the country according to Perfect Game, Barco made a name for himself in his first full season as a Gator. The southpaw delivered over 10 strikeouts per nine innings while leading the team in wins with ten and posting a .239 BAA. His final start of the season was forgettable, giving up two runs on five batters to open the South Alabama finale before getting pulled, but his last full start was a season highlight. Going up against the eventual national champion Mississippi State Bulldogs in the SEC Tournament, the lefty pitched all seven innings. Giving up only one run and four hits, Barco muffled the ‘Dogs while the bats ran

up the score to an eventual 13-1 victory. That performance against the elite offense of the 2021 Mississippi State squad, which averaged seven runs per game last season, is a hopeful sign for the season ahead. Regardless of where the rest of the K’s come from this season, O’Sullivan has his ace. Sproat, the other pitcher returning from last year’s postseason, will likely serve as another starter for the Gators. The Pace, Florida, native made two starts in his freshman season. The first came in his debut start for Florida, falling 6-1 to the Stetson Hatters. Despite the scoreline, Sproat delivered four shutout innings and only allowed one hit. He fared poorly during his second start, however, allowing three runs and five hits in 3.2 innings against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament. Sproat may not have the experience against top-end talent that Barco boasts, but his experience as one of the older pitchers on the team will likely earn him more starts this season. The rest of the lineup is largely unclear.. O’Sullivan could opt for leaning on more experience with sophomore Timmy Manning, who earned four starts last season or delve into the loaded recruiting class that the Gators will welcome. Florida adds three top-75 pitching prospects this spring according to Perfect Game’s rankings: freshmen Jac Caglianone (No. 31), Pierce Coppola (No. 50) and Philip Abner (No. 67). Caglianone, a Tampa native from Plant High School, earned a nomination as the Gatorade Player of the Year in high school. Coppola, a Verona, New Jersey, native, threw 88 strikeouts across 42.1 innings on his way to an invitation to the Perfect Game All-American

Grethel Aguila // Alligator Staff

Classic. Abner, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was a state champion his senior year while earning a 0.70 ERA. While the trio of freshmen all showed flashes of elite talent at their respective high schools, to what degree that talent can directly translate to the college game will only be revealed in time. For now, the freshmen will be in the mix with the rest of the lineup competing for the open spots in the group of starters. The talent on the pitching staff is visible — six former top-100 prospects are still on the roster. The production of that accumulation of talent, much of it still youthful, at the highest level of collegiate baseball will likely determine how far these Gators can go. O’Sullivan has some big decisions to make. @carsoncashion ccashion@alligator.org

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