Monday, May 15, 2023

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MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

VOLUME 117 ISSUE 32 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

State education bill expands Asian American representation FLORIDA IS THE FIRST REPUBLICAN-LED STATE TO ENACT THE LEGISLATION

By Amanda Friedman Alligator Staff Writer

Emma Hayakawa // Alligator Staff

When she was a student at William S. Talbot Elementary, Keira Lee was only one of three Asian American children at the school. Without proper representation in the classroom, tales from her Chinese immigrant grandparents served as the only source of Asian American history education she received as a child.

“I mostly learned about my culture through my family,” Lee said.

Now an 18-year-old Buchholz High School senior, Lee applied what she’s learned from her family to launch the Asian American Student Alliance, an organization dedicated to providing a safe space for her high school’s Asian American and Pacific Islander student population.

A new bill signed into Florida law could allow students like Lee to see their efforts reflected on a statewide level with the introduction of AAPI history into the public school system.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1537 into law May 9, requiring AAPI history in K-12 curriculum. The legislation’s enactment marks a milestone in a two-year-long battle to make AAPI history a mandatory part of Florida public school education. Make Us Visible Florida Director Mimi Chan led the state’s effort to integrate AAPI history into K-12 classrooms.

“It took a lot of work and determination in order to get this passed,” Chan said. “Asian American history is American history.”

Florida is the first Republican-led state to pass legislation requiring AAPI instruction in primary and secondary schools. The bill includes education on World War II Japanese internment camps and the immigration, citizenship, civil rights, identity, culture and contributions to American society of the AAPI community as part of the impending curriculum.

Chan, an Orlando-based activist and martial arts instructor, felt compelled to spearhead the initiative after she witnessed the drastic increase in Asian American hate crimes and discrimination after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I wanted to see what could be done to stop these attacks, to be preventative, to ensure our

SEE AAPI, PAGE 4

Introducing President Sasse’s transition team Team includes UF officials, U.S. Senate employees and Midland University staff

By Garrett Shanley Alligator Staff Writer

As UF President Ben Sasse transitions from politician to university president, he has maintained his relationships with key officials from his office in the U.S. Senate.

Sasse’s transition team includes members of the presidential cabinet and staff, the UF Board of Trustees, members of Sasse’s office in the U.S. Senate and ex-Midland University officials.

An informal member list of Sasse’s transition team was re-

vealed in a public records request obtained by The Alligator.

“Like every College President and CEO, Ben has a ton of advisors and mentors in his kitchen cabinet — about two dozen college presidents and big brains on everything from finance and technology to national security and law,” the UF Public Records Request Center wrote in the letter.

Several members of Sasse’s transition team have no prior affiliation with UF, namely Raymond Sass, James Wegmann and Toby Stock.

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT

Florida baseballfinish sweeps Story description with Vanderbilt comma, pg#

Gators pick up top-ranked series win as postseason nears. Read more on pg. 11.

“Ray and James worked with Sasse in the Senate [and] have been working as presidential advisors in Tigert Hall since February,” the public records center wrote.

Both worked for Sasse until his resignation from the U.S. Senate in January 2023.

Raymond Sass

Sass acted as Sasse’s chief of staff from 2017 until his resignation from the Senate in January 2023.

Additionally, Sass acted as the dean of the MBA Program and vice president for strategy at Midland University from 2011 to 2014 while Sasse was university president.

James Wegmann

Wegmann joined Sasse’s team as press secretary in 2015 and became communications director in January 2016.

African American studies class

Fox News broadcasts UF course, pg. 5

Toby Stock

Stock currently acts as the chief strategy officer for the National Constitution Center, a private, nonprofit organization that “serves as America’s leading platform for con-

stitutional education and debate,” according to their official website.

Stock has held executive positions in several conservative organizations, including the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right public policy think tank based in Washington D.C. He is the co-founder and former president of The Dispatch, an online magazine dedicated to “factbased reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles.”

“Toby was formerly the Harvard Law School Assistant Dean for Admissions and, given his experience in higher education and philanthropy, has been advising in the Foundation since March,” the public records center wrote.

SEE SASSE, PAGE 4

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PHOTOS: World Food Festival

Market featured goods from local farms, pg. 6

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

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VOLUME 117 ISSUE 32

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MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023 ALLIGATOR 3

Sasse meets with LGBTQ+ Presidential Advisory Committee This marks the committee’s first meeting with Sasse

By Garrett Shanley Alligator Staff Writer

In one of his first interactions with a campus group, UF President Ben Sasse discussed the LGBTQ community’s concerns at the university.

Sasse’s May 11 meeting with the UF LGBTQ+ Presidential Advisory Committee fulfilled his seven-month old promise made during his first visit to UF campus, where he acknowledged the committee’s value and said he would meet with them.

The LGBTQ+ Presidential Advisory Committee is designed to assess the quality of LGBTQ life on campus and recommend revisions in university policies and procedures. In the past, they initiated proposals to amend UF’s non-discrimination policy to include gender identity and expression and to add gender-neutral bath-

rooms to UF campus.

Presidential committees exist to “aid in the performance of presidential duties,” according to the UF Constitution. Many presidential committees, including LPAC, directly advise the president on campus-related matters.

However, many presidential advisory committees answer to other members of the UF administration. For example, the Institutional Biosafety Committee oversees genetic research to ensure its compliance with regulations and guidelines.

Former UF President Kent Fuchs met yearly with LPAC during his tenure and helped the committee’s initiatives by connecting them with the appropriate university departments.

Clinical professor for the department of medicinal chemistry and LPAC co-chair Oliver Grundmann led the committee’s com-

munications with the former university president. Communication between LPAC and Fuchs stalled after he announced his retirement from the role of president, he said.

In a one-hour meeting, the committee briefed Sasse on their concerns about House Bill 1521 and Senate Bill 254.

Five members of the committee were present during the meeting, including LPAC co-chairs Grundmann and materials science and engineering assistant professor Ryan Need, as well as Student Senate President Oscar Santiago Perez.

Sasse plans to meet with LPAC again at a later date, Grundmann said.

Need thinks Sasse’s meeting with the committee is his first stop on the listening tour he promised to do at the beginning of his term.

During the meeting, Sasse asked Santi-

ago Perez, the only student member of the committee, about the student perspective on the most pressing issues impacting the LGBTQ community. Santiago Perez voiced concerns about the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and legislative attacks on gender-affirming care.

“I don’t think that this one meeting will be the end of it, but it’s more so that this set the groundwork,” Santiago Perez said.

“From here we should be pushing forward to press him on issues and make sure that he remains committed to working with the LGBTQ community.”

Santiago Perez, who has previously spoken out against Sasse’s leadership, said that they felt optimistic about the meeting.

“I would say that I’m hopeful for what might come but obviously there is still much ground to cover,” Santiago Perez said. @garrettshanley gshanley@alligator.org

Isabella Ferrie // Alligator Staff

4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

Sasse recruits from Midland, Senate SASSE, from pg. 1

A majority of Sasse’s transition team were affiliated with UF prior to his nomination by the Board of Trustees and several are active members of the presidential cabinet.

Amy Hass

Hass currently serves as the UF vice president and general counsel.

Chris Cowen

Last month, it was announced Cowen would step down as senior vice president and chief financial officer to take a position at Cornell University on July 1.

unanimously in favor of Sasse’s confirmation in November 2022. In response to Lemasters’ vote in favor of Sasse’s confirmation, the Student Senate Change Caucus submitted a resolution to impeach her on charges of malfeasance. The Student Government Judiciary Committee postponed the resolution indefinitely, which allowed Lemasters to finish her term.

Amanda Phalin

Phalin presided as the 2022-2023 faculty senate chair. She faced a failed vote of no confidence in her vote in favor of Sasse’s

confirmation due to the Faculty Senate’s previous resolution of no confidence in the presidential search process. Danaya Wright will replace Phalin as faculty senate chair on June 1.

The role of some members in Sasse’s transition team, including Saby Mitra, Duane Mitchell and Lynda Tealer remains unclear.

Duane Mitchell

Mitchell occupies several positions within the university administration, including assistant vice president for research, associate dean for clinical and translational sciences at the UF College of Medicine and director for the UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

Saby Mitra

Mitra has been the dean of Warrington College of Business since August 2020.

Lynda Tealer

Tealer has been the executive associate athletic director at UF since 2004.

This team is designed to help Sasse get up to speed on various challenges and opportunities to plan for UF's next chapter.

Further updates on Sasse’s administration are expected to be reported on throughout the semester. @garrettshanley gshanley@alligator.org

Mary Parker

Parker currently serves as the UF vice president for enrollment management and associate provost.

Scott Stricklin

Stricklin currently serves as the UF athletic director.

Heather White

White holds the position of UF vice president of student life.

Melissa Curry

Curry has served as the interim vice president for Human Resources since July 2022.

Melissa Orth

Orth holds a position on the presidential staff as director for presidential athletics. She oversees all aspects of the football President’s Suite as well as tickets and special events for other Gator sports, according to the official UF Presidential staff website.

Additionally, Orth has acted as associate secretary to the UF Board of Trustees since 2016. Her responsibilities in the role include identifying and managing board operations, strategy and long-range planning.

Lauren Lemasters

Lemasters acted as the 2022-2023 student body president, which granted her a seat on the UF Board of Trustees. The board voted

Diego Perdomo // Alligator Staff

Expanding Asian representation AAPI, from pg. 1

community was safe,” she said.

Chan encountered countless obstacles in getting her legislation signed into law. Her original bill, House Bill 287, passed in the House but died in the Senate. However, she was able to have her legislation's language added to HB 1537 and Senate Bill 1430.

She felt grateful to receive strong bipartisan support for AAPI instruction in a state plagued by ongoing legislative debates concerning education, she said.

The enactment of this bill follows The Florida Department of Education's controversial January decision to reject a preliminary pilot version of the College Board's Advanced Placement African American Studies course.

Like Chan, Gainesville educators and university students are also excited to see AAPI history and culture represented through policy.

Clementine Dela Cruz, a 21-year-old UF psychology senior, grew up in Gainesville in a Filipino American household. Primarily learning inside predominantly white K-12 classrooms, she never heard her family’s country of origin uttered during lessons, she said.

She sought to learn more about her Filipino heritage when she enrolled at UF by joining the Asian American Student Union.

Today, she serves as the vice president of education for the organization.

“It wasn't until I came to UF that I was able to surround myself with people who came from my same culture or other similar cultures, and was able to really indulge in what it meant to be Asian American,” she said.

Dela Cruz hopes the recently passed AAPI K-12 education bill will foster a classroom environment that allows students to connect with their AAPI identity before entering adulthood.

“It's really important that students have the opportunity to learn more about where their ancestors came from [and] what their ancestors have contributed to this country,” she said.

UF Food and Resource Economics Associate Professor Zhengfei Guan was born in China and has two children who attend public school in Florida.

The bill’s passing is a step in the right direction, he said.

“Education is really the cornerstone of the foundation of this country,” he said. “It gives you a pair of glasses through which you look at the world, so it affects everything.”

Guan encountered stereotypes while living in the U.S. for the past 16 years, including being treated like a perpetual foreigner and a model minority.

The model minority myth portrays Asian Americans as uniformly successful and academically inclined, overlooking the diverse experiences and challenges they may face as a marginalized community. He hopes more AAPI studies in K-12 classrooms will help dismantle the harmful stereotypes affecting Asian Americans.

However, Guan anticipates challenges with integrating AAPI

history into K-12 curriculum. Outside the classroom. The Florida Legislature is supporting bills like Senate Bill 264, barring anyone born in China and not yet a United States citizen from purchasing real estate in Florida.

Guan fears SB 264, which DeSantis signed into law last week and goes into effect July 1, will encourage racial profiling and discrimination toward Asian Americans seeking to buy property in Florida, he said.

“My children will be affected,” he said. “They're born and raised in this country and they call Florida home, but they are treated differently — and that is heartbreaking.”

The enactment of both bills sends a conflicting message about the status of Asian Americans living in the U.S., he said, as if members of the AAPI community, especially of Chinese descent, cannot be fully trusted.

Guan also worries about the upcoming curriculum content.

Although he's pleased World War II Japanese internment camps are included in the required curriculum, he said he wished the bill language also mentioned the Chinese Exclusion Act. The discriminatory law enacted in 1882 placed a 10-year ban on Chinese laborers immigrating to the U.S. “That's something major in the history for the Chinese community,” he said. “I think that should be perfectly written into the bill, but it's not.”

Although HB 1537 goes into effect July 1, the Florida Department of Education and Florida School Boards Association will form the curriculum over the next few years. Make Us Visible Florida will continue monitoring the curriculum’s development, Chan said. @afriedmanuf afriedman@alligator.org

MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023 ALLIGATOR 5

Students, faculty defend UF ‘Black Horror, White Terror’ class despite backlash Fox News, DeSantis’ spokesperson attack African American studies class

By Vivienne Serret Alligator Staff Writer

Director Jordan Peele’s box office hit film Get Out brought race relations to the forefront of American conversation in 2017.

Now, a UF African American studies course uses the film to examine the context of Black horror and white terror.

After Fox News published an article on May 8 about the course, the department faces national criticism for the required books and materials.

UF professor Julia Mollenthiel teaches the course, titled Black Horror, White Terror.

In the class, students examine literary and artistic horror by Black artists and other works that discuss race relations, according to Mollenthiel’s syllabus. Students analyze literature and films such as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time and D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation.

Mollenthiel also teaches the courses Black Women Transatlantic and African American Cinema and Literature.

The University of Miami awarded her the American Council of Learned Societies Leading Edge Fellowship for contributing to meaningful social justice projects in 2021.

The Alligator emailed Mollenthiel for comment. As of May 14, she hasn’t responded.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press secretary Bryan Griffin told Fox News Digital that discrimination will not be tolerated in Florida.

“Without knowing the specifics of this particular course … universally: no disclaimer will make discrimination permissible,” Griffin said. “These things will be cut off and wither on the vine in Florida.”

This attack from the state follows Florida’s most recent legislative season focused on eliminating classes based on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Bills such as the Stop W.O.K.E. Act House Bill 7 and House Bill 999 put whole departments and majors that focus on diversity, equity and inclusion at risk of being removed from all state universities.

Courses that promote discussion about cultural and racial identity have faced criticism from Gov. DeSantis. The bills aim to prevent discussion surrounding controversial topics, such as critical race theory.

Critical race theory refers to examining social movements and systems of oppression, according to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Members of the UF community

are concerned about the potential erasure of programs that provide them with a safe space.

UF history professor, Paul Ortiz, teaches a course on African American history. Ortiz believes students are excited to take UF courses like Black Horror, White Terror, he said.

“Film and literature courses on Black horror are being taught in our peer universities across the country,” Ortiz said. “Our students deserve to have access to the same types of courses taught in the Ivy Leagues.”

The genre of Black horror novels and films is worthy of scholarly attention given its explosive popularity, he said.

Paulina Trujillo, the public relations director of UF College Democrats, and her organization stand with academic freedom, she

said.

Legislation like HB 999 and the Stop W.O.K.E. Act focus on creating cultural wars and further restricts the teaching of African American history, Trujillo said.

“Removing a UF course such as Black Horror, White Terror emphasizes the denial of existing systemic racism and oppression,” Trujillo said.

UF professors and students should be able to study and examine the Black experience from critical lenses without attacks from the Florida legislature, she said.

Students at other Florida universities also find issue with Florida’s recent legislation regarding higher education.

Elijah Keila, a University of South Florida senior and director of coordination for Stand for

Freedom, believes criticisms of classes like Black Horror, White Terror often focus on the idea that the classes are going to radicalize youth into extremist positions, they said.

Stand for Freedom works with UF organizations such as Gators for Gender Affirming Care and UF College Democrats.

“Access to education like this does not radicalize anybody,” Keila said.

This class forces students to consider truths, opinions and ideas outside of their comfort zone, and is exactly what universities are meant to do, Keila said.

Cat Margaux, USF senior director of communications for Stand for Freedom, believes the course is just one of many that might be stripped from our college

system, they said.

“At the core, this is an act of silencing marginalized voices,” Margaux said. “There need to be spaces where people can be educated on and discuss the ways that black people have faced oppression, whether out in the open or hidden within the nooks and crannies of white people’s actions.”

Without classes like this one, students lose the opportunity to see new perspectives, consider new truths and have their realities challenged, Margaux said.

“At the end of the day, classes like these leave us with the choice to either adopt ideas or leave them behind.” @vivienneserret vserret@alligator.org

Emma Hayakawa // Alligator Staff

6 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

A taste of Florida’s rich food heritage The World Food Festival is hosted by the Florida Heritage Foods Initiative The Florida Heritage Foods Initiative launched itstheir third farmers market on May 8 to showcase Florida’s agricultural diversity from cultures across the globe.

Co-hosted with Grove Street Farmers Market on 1001 NW 4th St., it brought additional small-scale

vendors and educational groups to feature the history and impact of worldwide cultural influence to local farming. The FHFI is a threeyear USDA grant project between the Florida Organic Growers and Santa Fe College. Event coordinator Kathy Anderson said each

FHFI farmers market will present a new theme based on in-season agriculture and international holidays. “Each farmers market will be a unique experience,” she said.

“It all stems on what’s in season for that event, and the time of year for the event.”

Marcus Rojas // Alligator Staff

Farmers meet with community organizers to promote their recent harvest to the public at Cypress & Grove Brewing Company on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Marcus Rojas // Alligator Staff

Marcus Rojas // Alligator Staff

Shoppers explore the new vendors brought by the Florida Heritage Foods Initiative at Cypress & Grove Brewing Company on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Marcus Rojas // Alligator Staff

Guests enjoy live music, a variety of artisan goods and warm weather at Cypress & Grove Brewery Company on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Plans for the FHFI include a total of five farmers markets, three farm events and two symposiums before closing in September 2024.

The FHFI collaborated with organizations such as the Grove Street Farmers Market on Monday, May 8, 2023.

Marcus Rojas // Alligator Staff

Jen Spedy, who works at Flatwood Flowers, serves a bouquet of flowers to a customer at Cypress & Grove Brewing Company on Monday, May 8, 2023.

MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

MUSIC

Levy County’s ‘ambassador of joy’ performs for charity Elaine Hargrove honors her best friend by committing to a hippie lifestyle

By Jiselle Lee Avenue Staff Writer

About once a month, Elaine Hargrove drives down the road from her house in Chiefland, Florida, to Tri-County Nursing Home in Trenton, Florida. During the 15-minute drive, she responds to honks from other vehicles and stares from strangers with a jolly wave and a beep from her handpainted 1978 Volkswagen bus.

Hargrove, 63, and Groovy Gus the Hippie Bus arrive at the nursing home and perform a duet.

While Hargrove sings to the residents indoors, the residents can look out the window and admire Hargrove’s craftsmanship outdoors.

Hargrove’s life since retirement is filled with trips around the world with her husband Kevin, dancing anywhere there’s live music and singing for charity. Her

commitment to her hippie lifestyle comes from her dedication to honoring her late best friend, Kathryn Fiedler.

Hargrove was introduced to the hippie lifestyle when she met Fiedler in college. “​​When I first met her, I was not even anything close to a hippie,” Hargrove said.

She was raised by a conservative, religious Midwestern family, and she was never exposed to any alternative. Fiedler, on the other hand, lived her entire life like a hippie. After college, she started a head shop in Iowa, selling hippie clothing, incense, pipes, metaphysical rocks and more.

Hargrove’s ex-husband threw away Fiedler and Hargrove’s letters, and the two drifted apart. By luck, Fiedler and Hargrove were reunited for a couple of years before Fiedler’s death in 2016.

“She said, ‘Elaine, are you

Jiselle Lee // Alligator Staff

Elaine Hargrove performs at Strawberry Fields for RV’ers in Chiefland, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023.

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going to be a real hippie or are you just going to be corporate again?’” Hargrove said. “I wonder if she knew that maybe I would rescue her store because it had no succession plan.”

She quit her job to take over Fiedler’s business after she died.

She helped Fiedler’s mother get on Medicare and handle Fiedler’s estate.

Groovy Gus the Hippie Bus was Hargrove’s biggest contribution to the store. She made the bus its mascot and spent over two years painting every inch of it by hand. The overall design is an homage to its history as a bus that went to Burning Man festival three times with its previous owner. The bus features an assortment of characters including references to the musical Hair, The Grateful Dead and its bears and roses, the song White Rabbit

by Jefferson Airplane and a Peter Max tribute. Inside the bus, Hargrove displays her Jerry Garcia doll and Beanie Babies.

Although the bus began as an addition to the business, it stayed with Hargrove after she sold the business and moved to Florida in 2018. Here, the bus made Hargrove a local celebrity, making an appearance at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade and a TV commercial.

Crystal Ellison, a Tri-County Nursing Home activity coordinator, found Hargrove on Facebook after searching for her for months.

Hargrove visited the nursing home right before COVID-19 shut out performers from the facility.

Ever since, the residents have kept asking Ellison for the “singing lady with the hippie bus,” who performed for them before Ellison started working there.

“It’s very important to have activities that keeps [the residents’] minds, their body and their spirit uplifted,” Ellison said.

“People that are in nursing homes really can’t get out. I believe that they [performers] feel that it’s

Jiselle Lee // Alligator Staff

Elaine Hargrove (right) shakes hands with Crystal Ellison (left) next to Hargrove’s 1978 Volkswagen bus to Tri-County Nursing Home staff on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. their duty to give back to the residents.”

Performing for charity is one of Hargrove’s favorite hobbies in her busy retirement.

“I used to get a little nervous,” Hargove said. “But once the music starts, I really can’t sit still.

The music just becomes part of my physical representation. The melodies, and the shimmying and the shaking to the rhythm was always natural.”

“Moss doesn’t grow on a rolling stone,” is Hargrove’s motto.

She is always on the move, and she has spread her life across the country, moving from Iowa to Michigan to Texas and then to Florida.

In the past, her relationships have been complicated because of her need for freedom and adventure.

Hargrove’s son, Craig DeVries, 30, is an air traffic controller from Des Moines, Iowa.

DeVries and his mother lived apart from each other his whole life. For most of his childhood, he could only visit her for one week, twice a year, at her home in Michigan. Despite this limitation, DeVries said his mother has

been his closest confidant.

“I don’t even know how it happened, but somehow she was probably the biggest influence and support for me emotionally.”

DeVries said. “I think we both would agree that with big life advice, she would always be the first one I would seek out.”

Richard “Kevin” Hargrove, 64, is Hargrove’s third husband. The couple have been married for six years, but they have known each other for about 10 years.

“We’re totally opposite,” Kevin said. “We don’t eat the same food. She buys her food; I buy my food. I do my laundry; she does her own laundry. I sleep in my room, and she sleeps in her room.”

Both of them are previously divorced, and a big reason why Kevin believes they are in their happiest relationship is because they let each other have the freedom to be independent.

“She’s one of the best people you’ll ever meet, and you’re a better person by knowing her,” Kevin said. @jiselle_lee jlee@alligator.org

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Gators look ahead to NCAA tournament. Read more on pg. 11.

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8 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023

FOOD & DRINK

Sublime Tacos announces relocation at the end of June

The Gainesville business was housed at 4th Ave Food Park since 2019

By Gracey Davis Alligator Staff Writer

Decorated with fairy lights, large hanging greenery and an outdoor seating area, locals know Sublime Tacos for being one of the six businesses at 4th Ave Food Park.

Megan Lang, a 39-year-old East Gainesville resident, used to visit Sublime Tacos often when she lived in West Gainesville in 2021 because of its unique atmosphere.

On May 9, Sublime Tacos announced its plans to close its 4th Ave Food Park location and move to a drive-thru-only location at 1818 NE Waldo Road in East Gainesville.

The announcement gives hope to residents like Lang who are excited to see more food options moving to their side of town.

Lang faces a lack of options when it comes to eating out and grocery shopping, she said.

She found only about 10 to 12 options for

Sublime Tacos is seen on May 11, 2023.

eating out east of Main Street, compared to the more than 10 restaurants located south of 13th Street alone, she said.

“A food desert is the term for it,” Lang said. “The only grocery store we have is the Walmart.”

A food desert is an area where there’s an abundance of low-income residents and low-access to grocery stores or supermarkets. A report from the City of Gainesville in 2021 focused on food access determined 11 communities in Gainesville are food deserts.

“I live and work on the east side of town, and I’m very excited at the possibility of not having to go across town to get tacos,” Lang said.

The move is based on a decision from the owner Sen Khiev, 47, to better balance his time running a business and being with his family.

His sister Sydney Meth first brought Khiev on board to help run Cilantro Tacos when it was a food truck in downtown Gainesville.

Shortly after Cilantro Tacos opened a brick-and-mortar location at the food park, Khiev decided to turn it into his own business, Sublime Tacos.

The new drive-thru property was acquired about a year ago. Since then, they’ve been working on renovations and improvements to the location, which Khiev believes will help the business run more efficiently.

“Being the anchor tenant [at 4th Ave] and having that large space, it just requires a lot of work and a lot of dedication of time,” Khiev said. “I just wouldn’t have had the energy or the time to stay open as long as we’d like [and] as many days.”

Khiev is excited to begin the transition, though he knows it won’t be without its challenges, one of which will be updating their menu.

“I think that’s gonna be the biggest challenge — really redesigning our menu to something that makes more sense for drive-thru business versus a counter service

business,” Khiev said.

Though many East Gainesville residents are enthusiastic about the new taco place coming to their side of town, West Gainesville is sad to see Sublime Tacos go.

West Gainesville resident Marissa McCallin, 36, has been a customer of Sublime Tacos through its transition from Cilantro Tacos.

For McCallin, part of the experience of Sublime Tacos was having it at 4th Ave Food Park, where its multiple restaurant options, unique decorations, seating areas, live music and events elevated the food.

The move deters McCallin from visiting because it is out of the way, she said.

“I think they have some of the best tacos in town so I normally do [go there],” McCallin said. “So it was a little bittersweet because I really liked that location, but I do wish them the best.” @graceydavis_ gdavis@alligator.org

Chloe Hyde // Alligator Staff

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BASEBALL

Gators dismantle Commodores in weekend series, idealize playoff picture FLORIDA SWEPT VANDERBILT AND MOVED TO FIRST PLACE IN SEC EAST DIVISION

By Luke Adragna Sports Writer

After a disappointing weekend against the Texas A&M Aggies, the Gators squared off against the No. 5 Vanderbilt Commodores in a matchup that held much at stake.

The Commodores carried a twogame edge over the Gators for first place in the Southeastern Conference standings, and Florida likely needed a series win to keep its firstplace chances alive.

The Gators mercy-ruled the Commodores 10-0 in seven innings May 12 after a walk-off hit from Gators sophomore two-way-star Jac Caglianone and continued its momentum May 13 with a 6-2 victory despite an

Chloe Hyde // Alligator Staff

Jac Caglianone pitches during Florida’s 6-2 win against Vanderbilt Sunday, May 14, 2023.

extensive rain delay in the bottom of the first that soddened conditions throughout the game.

With Florida’s final regular season series around the corner and the SEC tournament nearly a week away, UF looked for the sweep to provide extra cushion before it began its playoff run.

In one-sided fashion, the Gators got the job done.

The No. 7 Florida Gators (40-12, 18-9 SEC) defeated Vanderbilt (3516, 17-10 SEC) 6-2 May 14 to complete the series sweep at Condron Family Ballpark, drastically improving their outlook in the SEC baseball tournament and National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.

The win meant Florida improved its division record to 18-9 and secured a top-four seed in the SEC tournament. A seeding this high means the Gators are guaranteed an opening-round bye.

Moreover, the weekend sweep may decide whether or not the Gators host through the super regional stage of the NCAA tournament.

If Florida makes it past the regional round, they may play two consecutive weeks of baseball in front of its home crowd before the winner of the super regional stage advances to the College World Se-

ries in Omaha, Nebraska.

May 14’s contest between the Gators and Commodores was headlined by one player in particular: Florida junior outfielder Wyatt Langford.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Gators finalized the series sweep against the Vanderbilt Commodores, Langford made a grab that induced a roar among the crowd.

The junior outfielder ranged far to his right, approached the warning track, jumped and angled his glove above his head to keep Vanderbilt senior first baseman Parker Noland from recording an extra-base hit.

The defensive gem was one of many contributions Langford made during the series finale.

He hit a double and two home runs to help finalize the sweep for the Gators.

“I just felt good up there, and I was just ready to hit,” Langford said. “That’s really all.”

Vanderbilt sophomore starting pitcher Greysen Carter began the contest and surrendered a leadoff walk to Florida freshman second baseman Cade Kurland. UF’s next batter, Langford, connected on a pitch and sent it over the left field wall for a two-run shot to give the Gators an early lead.

Commodores head coach Tim

Corbin showed little faith in his right-handed starter and made the decision to pull Carter in a basesloaded, one-out jam in the first inning. He looked toward righthanded sophomore reliever Bryce Cunningham to clean up the mess.

The sophomore pitcher completed the inning and gave up one run on a fielder’s choice run batted in

by Florida freshman first baseman Luke Heyman.

The Gators led by three after one inning but were stifled by Cunningham, who made it through three and two-thirds innings and surrendered one run. UF’s offensive spurt began with two outs in the fourth inning when freshman center fielder Michael Robertson earned a walk.

Kurland followed up the freshman center fielder with a single to left-center field. Robertson completed his trip around the bases when Langford attacked a pitch for an RBI double.

Vanderbilt wrapped up the inning when Kurland blew through a stop sign at third base and was called out as he slid into home plate.

While the Gators fought it out in the batter’s box, Caglianone patiently waited in the dugout for his opportunity to take back command of the rubber. The sophomore two-

SEE BASEBALL, PAGE 12

SOFTBALL

Florida looks ahead from SEC tournament loss toward NCAA regionals UF IS IN THE NO. 9 SEEDED TOURNAMENT ALONG WITH STANFORD, LONG BEACH STATE AND LOYOLA MARYMOUNT

By Alyssa Britton-Harr Sports Writer

Ranked No. 22 nationally and seeded eighth in the Southeastern Conference, the Florida Gators (36-20, 11-13 SEC) started strong in the first round of the SEC Tournament.

UF defeated the No. 9 Seed Kentucky Wildcats (30-20-1,10-14 SEC) with a fourrun lead, 6-2, to advance despite the game having been pushed to May 11 due to weather delays in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Gators redshirt junior infielder Skylar Wallace changed the game's momentum when she hit her 19th home run of the year

in the bottom of the fifth inning. The SEC Player of the Year put Florida back in the lead and was followed by two consecutive runs scored to end the inning.

"You can tell by the energy our team played with today that they want to keep playing," Gators head coach Tim Walton said. "They enjoy playing softball, and they want to keep going."

However, UF missed its chance at the SEC Championship after the No. 1 seed Tennessee Volunteers (44-8, 19-5 SEC) shut them out in the quarterfinals May 12.

The Gators only notched three hits through seven innings and were held scoreless by Tennessee graduate student pitcher Ashley Rogers on their way to the loss.

Heading into the next round of play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Regionals, Florida will face Loyola Marymount on the road in Palo Alto, California.

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The Loyola Marymount Lions (27-20, 12-3 WCC) had a game high of 11 runs scored at the start of the season in February against the University of San Diego Toreros.

The Lions split a doubleheader with the Toreros in an 8-0 win and a 7-2 loss. Loyola Marymount was still named the winner of the West Coast Conference despite its loss in game two.

The Gators will face the Lions’ leading batter Sydney Poole, who holds the highest batting average on the team with a .333 record. UF will also take on LMU’s best overall player Morgan DeBord, who leads the team in multiple categories, including a .622% slugging, 34 runs scored and nine home runs to end the regular season.

The first game in the regional will be between Stanford and Long Beach State May 19. The winner will play against ei-

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ther Florida or Loyola Marymount May 20.

UF won on the road last year in the super regionals to get to the College Softball World Series. The Gators will be on the road their entire postseason run facing tough teams such as Stanford, who have a top-10 defense and a complete pitching staff boasting an average 1.52 earned run average.

"Knowing that we can compete with those pitchers and, you know, go into war with them, I think, sets a really good tone for us," Wallace said. "It's going to be a grind, it's not going to be easy, but we're prepared and ready for it."

Florida will begin its journey in the NCAA Regionals at 6 p.m. May 19. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Follow us for updates

@abrittonharr abritton-harr@alligator.org

For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.

12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, APRIL 24, 2023 DECEMBER 5, 2022

Florida Gators sweep dreamVanderbilt comes true SOFTBALL, BASEBALL,from from pg. pg. 11 11

el, he pitched had an through impact five on my growth as a waysostar innings of work person and an athlete," Reagan Walsh said. and totaled six strikeouts and surrendered Her as an only onegrowth walk and oneathlete hit. and as a Gator wasFlorida made added possible by the of her another runsupport in the fifth inparents and teammates, she said. ning off a single from UF senior catcher BT Walshand — who’s near the end of paced her secRiopelle, Caglianone gradually to ond year — recognized she has support the mound with a five-run lead. from her father, teammates and coaches, she said.

"The people at the University of Florida are great and have definitely impacted me as a player, but also as a person," Walsh said.

Her Gatorsphenom have noticed conThe fellow 6-foot-5-inch tossedher a 1-2-3 fidence in her ability change positions on inning and struck outtotwo of the first three the fieldinwhen things get tough.Caglianone’s batters the seventh inning.

"I've seen her work and themark growth pitch count exceeded the century and she hashead had,” UF Kevin shortstop Skylar made Wallace Gators coach O’Sullivan his said.

“I the think she's with known not going way to mound hisyou're right hand open to at all times." at be his perfect side, hinting that Caglianone’s outing wasWalsh over. has displayed confidence and an eagerness to win toreceived the fansawho comeovaout The sophomore standing to support her in Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. She batted in a season-high six runs against Illinois State Feb. 11 and has a batting average of 0.353 this season.

Her control at bat and ability to find the right pitch is big in late innings, Wallace

said. tion as he jogged off the field, and in came Walsh was set to fill theBrandon hole leftNeely by the Florida sophomore reliever to departure of former Florida graduate stufinish the job. dent infielder Adams as gave she enNeely exitedHannah the inning after he up tered herand sophomore two hits allowed a season. runner Caglianone had with Coach sinleft“Working on to score.

Each teamWalton tallied every one more gle practice, and reliever him killing me at run,day andatthe sophomore completed second base, is all worth it,” Walsh the game withI athink, 1-2-3 ninth. said.

“Hannah was such great athlete; it's Florida completed its afirst sweep against an awesome experience to beand ablemoved to play Vanderbilt since April 1, 2018, to second.” first place within its division. Florida’s tourWalsh and her shareona its passion for nament seeding is father contingent outcome sports and the competitiveness that comes with it. However, a line is drawn between his support for her as a father and giving her advice as a former athlete who understands the hardships of being an athlete, John Walsh said. He has to push her and

be hardKentucky on her sonext sheweek. will succeed, he said. versus "As a parent, I just want and The series contest against theto No.love 17 Kensupport her —(36-15, tell her it's SEC) all right,” tucky Wildcats 15-12 begins he at said.

“Then theatother hand, youPark. have 6:30 p.m.

Mayon 18th Kentucky Proud to “They’re be competitive, andThey you run havetheto bases, push a handful: her make sure she knows youthings, have tothey do theytodo certain conventional better, and you can do “If this.” bunt,” O’Sullivan said. we play good, we will forever hisif daughter, he gotHe a chance to beatsupport anybody, we don’t, we said.

As a former athlete playing at a comgot a chance to be beat by anybody.” petitive level, he’s been hard on Reagan @lukeadrag and understands the tough times she might ladragna@alligator.org face, he said.

"It's a tough balance,” he said. “But I love her and let her know that.” @abrittonharr abritton-harr@alligator.org