Gator Country Magazine - August 2012 by GatorCountry.com

AUGUST 2012

Volume 5

INSIDE:

Issue 10

www.Gatorcountry.com

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

Volleyball’s 4 Starters Soccer’s Sour Taste Cross Country Sets Tone

Senior Tangerine Wiggs looks to power Florida to its 22nd consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.

Swamp Spotlight: Brave Gator

Gators Eye 2012 The Highlight Reel: SEC Media Days

The Code:

Football Game Day Etiquette

CENTRAL FLORIDA’S YOUNGEST THEME PARK Visit LEGOLAND.com for more information! Water Park open seasonally. Please check LEGOLAND.com for days of operation. Due to the family nature of the LEGOLAND Water Park, all guests are required to wear proper swim wear. Swim wear that is revealing or otherwise inappropriate for this environment is prohibited and may result in removal from the LEGOLAND Water Park. Swim wear with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets, or metal ornamentation are not permitted. LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob conﬁgurations, the Miniﬁgure and LEGOLAND are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2012 The LEGO Group. LEGOLAND FLORIDA IS A PART OF THE MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP.

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what’s inside CEO www.gatorcountry.com Raymond Hines III

COO Bernadette King

CFO Raymond Hines, Jr

MANAGING EDITOR Mike Capshaw

STAFF WRITERS Andrew Spivey David Shepherd Dan Thompson Phillip Heilman

REPORTERS Drew Laing Max Mattern Elizabeth Rhodes

PHOTOGRAPHERS Saj Guevara Jack Lewis

CEO Marc Douglass

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

CONTENTS swamp spotlight 14 No Regrets 16 Brave Gator 18 2011 Sets Tone for 2012 28 4 Starters 40 Soccer Skating

On and off The Field

8 SEC Media Days Highlights 12 UF Game Day Code of Conduct and Prohibited Behavior 20 Football Notebook: Gators Earn Preseason Recognition 23 Recruiting Notebook: Clock Ticking Toward Decision Time for Top Prospects 30 Volleyball Preview 32 Football Referee Signals 34 Muschamp Wants to Move the Chains

FOR THE FAMILY

43 Best of Gator Country’s Forums 24 The Play Book: August Events 26 Mom Blog: Mom’s the Word 36 Fishing Report 38 Gearing Up for Fall 4

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Lauren Douglass

COPY EDITOR Daniel Sulphin

ART DIRECTOR Daniel Tidbury

GRAPHIC DESIGN Daniel Tidbury Lisa Torres Jane Dominguez

PROMOTIONS Amanda Liles Karen Jones Hilah Driggers Kristen Cokas

ACCOUNTING Lynsey Parrish

CIRCULATION Eddy Falla

SPECIAL PROJECTS Lauren Kolansky Daniel Sulphin

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Shane Howell (shane@whpinc.com)

ADVERTISING & SALES Shane Howell Bryan Porter

Gator Country Magazine is brought to you by Gator Country Multimedia, Inc. and What’s Happening Publications, Inc. For advertising opportunities, please contact us at 352-371-5881 or sales@whpinc.com. Magazine subscriptions are available at www.gatorcountry.com For subsciption related questions or concerns, please call (800) 601-4623 or email folks@gatorcountry.com Connect with us: TheGatorCountry @GatorCountry

www.whpinc.com Fact: UF is consistently ranked No. 3 in the Princeton Review Best Value Public Colleges (2011).

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Letter from the CEO Sniff … sniff ... Do you smell that in the air? It’s the smell of football and it’s just around the corner. At this time of the year it’s a time of hope and renewal, especially for Gator fans. For us the seasons are reversed with the coming of fall, which is more like spring, as we eagerly await and anticipate what’s going on with one of our great loves Gator football. Personally, I believe coach Will Muschamp and his team will do well this year, having learned from their lessons of the past and bringing in new reinforcements like offensive coordinator Brent Pease, whose offensive wizardry no doubts excites many Gator fans as well as myself. Yes, defense may win championships, but for me it’s all about the offense. It’s what sells tickets and brings fans to their feet. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing the Gators rack up the yards on hapless opponents and I have the feeling we’re also going to see some players really step up and shine, for now it’s their chance. Speaking of going on the offense, at GatorCountry.com

we’ve been working hard behind the scenes on the re-launch of our popular website. Come football season, we’ll have a brand new look with a lot of great new features that will be on the leading edge to bring Gator fans the insider information they yearn for in all manner of ways. For example, we’ve launched our new TXT/SMS alert service where you can get breaking news and tidbits on the Gators as it happens, so be sure to look for it on our website if you want to know everything before your own Gator friends do. There’s a lot more than that coming down the pike that’s radically different from anything you’ve seen in the online Gator Nation, but if I told you more, I’d have to chomp you. I can guarantee, however, that this fall will be a very exciting time both on the football field and at GatorCountry.com, where we are the “Insider Authority on Gator Sports!” So, stay tuned and enjoy the ride!

Raymond Hines III Founder/CEO Gator Country Multimedia Inc.

Fact: Florida Baseball has had multiple players taken in the Draft every year since 1998.

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TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!

CHEERS & JEERS

These are REAL emails from REAL Gator Country readers that come through our inbox each month. Readers can send questions, comments and suggestions to mike@gatorcountry.com. Put “Cheers & Jeers” in the subject line and your email could end up in this feature that we share with the rest of our readers in each issue.

My membership should be good. Why is the system telling me I have to sign up for GC everytime I try to read the rest of the story?

We get this question all the time. 9.99 times out of 10 this issue is due to a buildup of cookies on your computer. If you will delete your cookies, log out of GC, refresh your browser and, then, log back in, you should be good to go. If that doesn’t work then call customer service at 352-416-0018.

Can I buy a GC magazine subscription only?

As of now, having GC magazine mailed directly to your home is a perk of being a VIP member. 6

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Thank you for getting the text alert feature. It’s really cool.

You are most welcome. When we roll out the new platform by game day this year you will see many other “cool” features as well.

Shared experience

I read the article on Ray in the July 2012 issue and liked the story. I’m a small business owner and also born with partial deafness and had a brief experience with Meniere’s. It is wonderful to hear of someone else succeeding in business with similar issues. I know in my job it is a struggle every day to keep up with speaking clients and networking events are a lesson in pure anxiety. I know why Ray likes to slip in/out of those events.

Herb Kieklak coachkfitness.net

Fact: Gators Baseball reached the NCAA CWS in 1988, 1991, 1996, 1998 and 2005 and 2010.

FOCUS ON THE LITTLE THINGS

By Mike Capshaw

SEC Media Days

Highlights Florida coach Will Muschamp spoke about offense, defense, a quarterback battle, a player transferring and a few other things during the second-year coach’s Southeastern Conference Media Days appearance on July 18 in Hoover, Ala. Returning 15 of its top 16 tacklers off of last season’s squad who finished eighth nationally in total defense, Muschamp was especially excited to talk about that side of the ball. In addition, 10 of 11 defensive starters are back.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

“We return most everybody on our defense,” Muschamp said. That’s scary news for opponents who have followed Muschamp’s defenses over the years. As a defensive coordinator, Muschamp’s defenses at LSU, Auburn and Texas were extra stingy in his second year. In 2003, his second season at LSU, his defense led the nation in total defense and scoring defense. In 2007, his second season at Auburn, his defense finished sixth nationally in total defense and scoring defense. Then, after his

second season at Texas in 2009, the Longhorns were third nationally in total defense and first in rush defense. Players also historically improve in the second year of running the same scheme. There is less thinking and more reacting. Two of the three players representing Florida at SEC Media Days were senior defensive players in linebacker Job Bostic and defensive end/linebacker Lerentee McCray. Bostic, the team’s leading tackler a year ago, said it’s all about doing the “little things” correctly in Muschamp’s system. “We have to come together and make sure we are doing the little things right,” Bostic said. “We saw at times the little things killed us in ball games. If we had done this thing and that thing different, it would have been a different outcome.” McCray said he believes Florida is “neck and neck” with South Carolina and Georgia, the two teams expected to battle again for the SEC East title. The “little things” is what made the difference in the Gators’ losses to those teams in 2011. Fact: O’Day was the 11th former Gator to participate in the World Series.

FOCUS ON THE LITTLE THINGS “I feel like if it wasn’t for a couple mistakes, we could have easily won more than half of those games that we lost.” – UF linebacker Lerentee McCray. “I feel like if it wasn’t for a couple mistakes, we could have easily won more than half of those games that we lost,” McCray said. “We are definitely an underdog [this season]. We are ranked lower than all those guys. “We are definitely going to come in with a chip on our shoulders and come out ready to play and be physical.” As far as offense, Muschamp said quarterback Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel are even heading into fall practices. He also spoke about his confidence that first-year offensive coordinator Brent Pease will give the Gators a more balanced attack this season.

Injury Updates

Buck linebacker Ronald Powell will play this season. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee during the spring scrimmage. When Powell can return hinges on his rehabilitation. “He’s squatting, doing everything, been cleared for straight‑ahead running,” Muschamp said. “He’s not changing direction or taking on blocks right now … that always takes time. “That last 20 percent, as you work through that, is always critical to see how quickly you can return. He’ll play for us this year.” Redshirt sophomore cornerback Jeremy Brown is injured again but should be ready for contact by Sept. 1. He fractured his wrist over the summer and is having surgery on Wednesday. He should be ready for full contact by Sept. 1. Brown missed his first two seasons at Florida with back problems. After starting 10 of 11 games in 2010, Brown missed 2011 with a knee injury. Junior receiver Stephen All suffered a stress fracture in the spring, but he should

return by mid-August after undergoing surgery. Freshman safety Marcus Maye is recovering nicely from a torn meniscus he siffered in January, Muschamp said he “should be cleared” by the start of fall camp on Aug. 3.

Tight End Leaving

Muschamp said tight end A.C. Leonard leaving the team was “mutual.” The sophomore form Jacksonville was suspended indefinitely after an arrest in February involving an altercation with his girlfriend. Leonard was working through severs steps Muschamp lined out in order to get back on the football team. “He and I both sat down and decided it would be better off for him to transfer,” Muschamp said. “I don’t know where he’s wanting to go. I’m going to talk to him further about it. It was a mutual decision. Just sometimes it doesn’t work, and it wasn’t working in this situation, so he needs to move on.” Leonard was listed behind starter Jordan Reed on the depth chart. There’s also Clay Burton and Tevin Westbrook at tight end. Muschamp mentioned true freshmen Kent Taylor and Collin Thompson as players who could benefit from Leonard leaving.

Media Fumble

Muschamp pointed out during an ESPN interview how inaccurate the media’s poll has been. This year the Gators were picked to finished third in the SEC Eastern Division behind Georgia and South Carolina. “I don’t worry preseason polls or preseason anything,” Muschamp said. “Since 1996, the media has only gotten it right twice on who was going to win the SEC. “So preseason doesn’t matter. Let’s talk at the end of the year.”

Fact: In 2010, 44 former players in the Big Leagues represented the Southeastern Conference.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

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scenes from the swamp Fans cheer on the Gators during last season’s home football opener. Be sure to Gator Country’s Football Preview, which will be on newsstands before Florida’s Sept. 1 season opener against Bowling Green. Photos by Tim Casey

Florida runners make a turn near the start of the 2011 Mountain Dew Invitational, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15 in Gainesville this year. Photo by Rob Foldy

Fact: Money Magazine has regarded Gainesville as one of the best places to live and ranks it among Florida’s top cities.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

GAME DAY ETIQUETTE

UF Courtesy UF Communications

Game Day Code of Conduct & Prohibited Behavior

12 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Fact: Every state dollar appropriated to the University of Florida results in a $15 return on investment.

GAME DAY ETIQUETTE

As I’m sure many of you remember from you glory days at The University of Florida, all tailgaters are subject to certain UF codes and regulations. Since they have probably changed some since then, or rather, since last season, we thought we’d fill you in some of the details featured in latest UF Code of Conduct. Prohibited Personal Items

For the safety and security of all fans these are some of the items not permitted inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Alcohol, coolers, umbrellas, backpacks, carry bags, artificial noisemaking devices, food and drink containers, bottles, cans, thermoses, ice bags, large flags, and any item(s) deemed hazardous by law enforcement. All purses and waist bags are subject to search at any time. Camera and video equipment should be no larger than handheld size. All prohibited items must be returned to vehicles or disposed of before entering the stadium. There are no provisions to check items at the gates.

Tailgating, Alcohol and Smoking

Tailgating at the University of Florida is a cherished part of the overall Gator game day tradition. but with your celebration, comes responsibility. Please follow our guidelines to ensure a FANtastic home game experience.

Stadium ReEntry Policy

Fans are not permitted to leave and reenter Ben Hill Griffin Stadium once their game ticket has been torn. Should a medical emergency arise requiring you leave BHG, you must report to the East or West First Aid Station to receive a medical pass to reenter the stadium. In the event of severe weather in the BHG stadium area, fans will be allowed to exit the seating areas to seek shelter inside the concourse, on the plaza, and outside the stadium. Fans will be readmitted at the restart of the game with their ticket stub.

GAME DAY GUIDELINES • Always practice positive, fan friendly behavior.

• The possession of alcohol is prohibited inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. • Be respectful of those Increased law enforcement around you and your patrols will be stationed tailgating area. at all entrances and will be on the look out for • Remember, drunkenness, individuals displaying obscene or harassing intoxicated behavior behavior and violence or or that possess alcohol. threats of violence will Officers reserve the not be tolerated and right to deny entry to could result in arrest intoxicated subjects. If an and/or referral to Student individual is found to be Judicial Affairs. in possession of alcohol inside the stadium gates • Keep your tailgating they will not be given the area clean and free of option to just discard the litter. “Put it in the alcohol, but are subject can, Gator fan”. to arrest and will be ejected from the stadium. • Open containers of Please note that the open alcohol on public container ordinance will streets, sidewalks be enforced at all times and thoroughfares is throughout the entire a violation of City of campus. Smoking is Gainesville ordinance 44B allowed only in designated and can result in arrest smoking areas located and/or referral to Student in the North and Judicial Affairs. South End Zones.

Should you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact the University Athletic Association at (352) 375-4683.

Fact: In the last few years alone, UF’s Federal and State funded energy research exceeded $70 million.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 13

SOCCER PREVIEW

No Regrets By Max Mattern Photos by Tim Casey

Veteran group looks to leave it all on the field in 2012 Last season left a bad taste in the mouths of Florida’s soccer players. A 3–2 loss against Central Florida in the NCAA Second Round was not exactly the ending the Gators had in mind for 2011. For coach Becky Burleigh, that specific loss wasn’t fueling her regret. Wasted opportunities and talent had Burleigh describe the UCF loss as a “microcosm” of their 17–8 season. In order to not duplicate 2011, a change had to be made; a corollary which Burleigh realized immediately. Preparation for the fall was the first thing to improve. “I think spring was very different than what we had in the past. We kind of look at spring as preparation for the fall,” Burleigh said. “So, our spring was different in the sense that we worked a lot on developing our individual physical and mental toughness. We worked on fitness as a means to mental toughness.” The team wants to build and sustain this mental toughness throughout 2012 to make every single game translate into those avid results, and that’s what Burleigh has been

Holly King 14 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

preaching to her squad this offseason. “Last season, we knew we were really talented, but we lacked a little bit of the mental toughness that we wanted to have,” Burleigh said. “To be able to combine our talent with that [mental toughness], I think it will give us an amazing opportunity to win.” To win is the essential goal of any team and takes consistent drive, something UF battled with last season. The Gators were able to demonstrate an electrifying style of play. The team, the crowd and Burleigh were ecstatic for every aspect of each game – except the final result. “I think for us we want to play entertaining soccer, but we also want to get the result,” the head coach made clear. “Last year there were times where we played some very entertaining soccer but did not get the result. And that was a big problem. This year we have talked about focusing on not so much the way we play, although we never want to lose that, but more about how we are able to combine those two things.” The focus to combine entertaining soccer and the desired result can only be described as one thing – execution. Execution is something this Gators team will have to thrive on right out of the gate with their rigorous schedule. The team starts off the fall with playing an exhibition game against, whom else but, UCF. Burleigh acknowledged there will be passion played in the game but not so much for the past loss, rather the fact UCF is an in-state rival and passions always flare when teams in-state compete. To open the season, Florida will play at home against a highly motivated Miami squad that is used to be ranked in the top 25 on a consistent basis. After, Florida will go on the road for one of the toughest three-game stretches in their program’s history as of late. The first will be against previously ranked No. 13 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. Last time the Gators squared off against UNC was in 2010 when they lost 0–2. Only two days after, they will compete against previously ranked No. 2

Kat Williamson Duke, a team that battled Florida to double overtime in a game that ended in a 1-all tie. Then its in-state rival Florida State at Tallahassee Last year FSU beat the Gators on their home turf 3–2. Burleigh’s initial reaction came with a laugh, “It’s a really hard schedule.” Hard doesn’t always equate to terrible. “It offers some major challenges for us, but this is a mature team,” Burleigh said. “This is the year to have that kind of schedule because we have a mature team. We will be underdogs just because the nature of the schedule and if that helps us stay motivated then I’m all for it. “There’s no way that anybody couldn’t be looking towards this season and not know that we are going to have to be ready right from the gate, from the minute we step on to the field, from the first game.” Hitting the ground running can fuel a team and be perfect preparation for what’s to come in the latter parts of the schedule. To have that spark from Day 1, a team needs its leaders to bring players together and hold each individual accountable for her specific role on the team. Burleigh designated the five seniors as those impact players. “They have really made an exerted effort to work on their leadership both in the spring and now in the summer going into the fall,” Burleigh said. “I think how well they lead us will ultimately determine how well we do. They are aware of that responsibility and I think they embrace it.” Those seniors are Kat Williamson, McKenzie Barney, Jo Dragotta, Erica Tymrak and Holly King. They all played Fact: UF alumni include two Nobel Prize winners.

SOCCER PREVIEW

more than 1,200 minutes last year and started in at least 23 of the Gators’ 25 games with the exception of Barney, who suffered multiple facial fractions in a collision. “They are all talented players,” Burleigh reiterated. “They all play a lot. That’s my theme: talent is not enough, and so how they lead us like what standards they set or how they handle issues is more important than anything else.” The five seniors will mix their talent and leadership this season to get the results they’ve yearned for. Most people might

assume the desired result would be winning the coveted National Championship, but Burleigh said that is not the ultimate goal. No regrets. “This senior class is really motivated. I think if we can end this season with these seniors having no regrets everybody is going to be happy. They have high standards, they are motivated, and they are ready to go. So, if they have no regrets then I think everyone is going to be happy.” New schedule. New season. New year. No regrets.

2012 FLORIDA GATORS SOCCER SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT SITE Fri, Aug 10 UCF (Exhibition) Orlando, FL Fri, Aug 17 Miami Gainesville, FL Fri, Aug 24 North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC Sun, Aug 26 Duke Chapel Hill, NC Fri, Aug 31 Florida State Tallahassee, FL Sun, Sep 2 Florida International Gainesville, FL Sun, Sep 9 New Mexico Gainesville, FL Fri, Sep 14 Kentucky * Lexington, KY Sun, Sep 16 Auburn * Auburn, AL Fri, Sep 21 Tennessee * Gainesville, FL Sun, Sep 23 Georgia * Gainesville, FL Fri, Sep 28 Mississippi * Gainesville, FL Sun, Sep 30 Arkansas * Gainesville, FL Fri, Oct 5 LSU * Baton Rouge, LA Sun, Oct 7 Texas A&M * College Station, TX Fri, Oct 12 Missouri * Gainesville, FL Sun, Oct 14 Mississippi State * Gainesville, FL Fri, Oct 19 Alabama * Tuscaloosa, AL Sun, Oct 21 Vanderbilt * Nashville, TN Thu, Oct 25 South Carolina * Columbia, SC

TIME (ET) TBA 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 1:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 1:00 pm 7:00 pm 3:00 pm 7:00 pm 1:00 pm 7:00 pm 1:00 pm 8:00 pm 2:30 pm 7:00 pm 1:00 pm 8:00 pm 2:00 pm 7:00 pm

McKenzie Barney Fact: UF alumni include three NASA astronauts.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 15

CLOSE TO HOME

Former Florida catcher David Ross enjoying role in Atlanta By Andrew Spivey Photos courtesy of Atlanta Braves Media Relations

Brave Gator Former Florida Gators and current Atlanta Braves catcher David Ross is one of the few to play in the College World Series for two different teams. The Tallahassee native signed with Auburn out of high school. He played with the Tigers in the 1997 College World Series before transferring to Florida where he appeared in the 1998 College World Series. “My time at Florida was awesome,” Ross said. “Gator fans are one of a kind. They support you no matter if you are winning or losing. We always played in front of a packed house and for an SEC school that was rare back then.” Florida baseball may not be as popular around campus as football or basketball, but Ross never felt any differently than other athletes at the University of Florida.

16 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

“Any SEC school or southern school for that matter is going to be known for their football team unless you’re someone like Duke or Wake Forest,” Ross said. “But other students and fans treated us great. If you’re a Florida athlete you’re loved and respected. “I really liked the fact that Florida loves football and is good at football because in the off-seasons that is one of things I look forward to is going back to Gainesville and tailgating. Usually I take the family down for the Florida and Florida State game. While at Florida, Ross had the opportunity to play with two future big leaguers and several other players who went to have careers in the minor leagues. To this day Ross still keeps in touch with teammates Josh Fogg and Brad Wilkerson as they have become lifelong friends. Fogg and his family visited Ross in Atlanta in July and Ross said he talks with Wilkerson as often as possible. “The friendships you make in college will last forever,” Ross said. “I know Brad was just inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame and I couldn’t be prouder of him. Brad was such a good athlete and person. We used to joke with him that he could have walked on to the football team if he wanted to. I know Brad is looking to get into coaching and I’m positive he will be successful at it.” After a successful stint at Florida, Ross was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 7th round of the 1998 MLB Amateur Draft He spent the next four years in the minor leagues before making his Major League debut on June 28, 2002 with the Dodgers. After two years with the Dodgers, Ross was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and then to the San Diego Padres where he only played 11 games before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds. The next two years Ross played for the Reds before the Boston Red Sox signed him to a minor league deal. That lasted the entire 2008 season, but Ross was not used as much as he would have liked. On Dec. 5, 2008, Ross received a phone call that would change his professional career for the better. “When the Braves called and signed me to a contract I was excited,” Ross said. “I was coming home and back down to the south where I could have fried chicken, sweet tea and some boiled peanuts. But more importantly, I was able to be close to home and have my family and friends come

and watch me play more often. Another big factor was the organization itself is a great organization and it’s honor to play here in Atlanta.” In Atlanta, Ross backs up starting catcher Brian McCann. For Ross, just the opportunity contribute is enough for him. “Obviously I would like to start, but to play the game I love is great,” Ross said. “I just take every opportunity I get to play and enjoy it. I have a job to do like the other 24 players so I do my job to the best of my abilities.” Playing the game at the age 35 is something Ross doesn’t take for granted. He cherishes every moment. Ross said he wouldn’t be playing the game today if it wasn’t fun, which is something he believes all young athletes should do. “If I could tell all high school or college players one thing I would say have fun and enjoy the game,” Ross said. “When you get to my age, you look back on your high school days and say I loved those times or your college days and say those were great times. “You can’t play this game if you don’t enjoy it.” While having fun is something Ross believes is important, he looks back on his time as a college student as the biggest part of his life and career. “I wouldn’t trade my college years for anything. Even if I was a first round draft pick, I would have went to school,” Ross said. “When you go to college and have to manage school, practice and living on your own, you become a man and you learn the values of life, which help me now when I’m on the road so much.

Fact: Six former Gators appeared on the 25-man Opening Day Major League Baseball rosters in 2010.

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Saturday, September 29, 2012 Besilu Collection, Micanopy, Florida

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CROSS COUNTRY PREVIEW By Phillip Heilman Photos by Rob Foldy

2011 sets tone for 2012

UF’s men, women primed for strong seasons Eduardo Garcia

stephanie strasser & Callie COoper

cory Mcgee

Florence N’Getich

18 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

When the Florida men’s cross country team saw its season come to a close last year, it marked the end of a valuable season. Having received an automatic qualifying bid as the second-place team at the South Region Championships, the team competed at nationals for the first time since 2006. While the team was unable to match up with the eventualchampion Wisconsin, finishing 30th overall, it built momentum for a team featuring just one senior. Sure, finishing 30th out of 31 teams was not the goal of coach Mike Holloway, but it laid the groundwork for an even more successful future. Looking to help ensure more success in 2012 will be Paul Spangler, a former Alabama cross country NCAA qualifier and All-Southeastern Conference selection. Spangler will be joining the cross country program as an assistant to Holloway, as well as help coach the distance indoor and outdoor track athletes. He joins the program after spending 10 years as a cross country assistant and head coach at the Virginia Military Institute. The departure of former assistant Todd Morgan, who took the head coaching position of the women’s cross country team at Virginia, opened the door for the new assistant. In 2009, Spangler was voted the Big South Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. He is a terrific addition to a Florida staff that continues to find ways to get stronger each season. In 2012, the Gators look to do just that. The men’s roster is packed with young talent looking to

take the next step. Fifteen of the 23 runners on the roster will be in either their first or second year of eligibility. Such youth should translate into improvement. Of the seven runners who competed at nationals last season, six will be returning as sophomores or juniors. Josh Izewski, who was the third Gators runner to finish, was the lone senior on last season’s squad. Individually, it was sophomore Mark Parrish leading the way for the Gators with a personal best time of 30:32.9. That time was good enough for 68th overall in Terre Haute, Ind. The women’s cross country team missed out on the 2011 team nationals but did place three individuals in nationals with at-large bids. It was Genevieve LaCaze leading the way for the Gators, as she closed out her Florida career with a season-best time of 20:32.0. It was fast enough to finish in 42nd place, the secondhighest NCAA individual finish for a Gators runner since 1997. Since then, LaCaze earned a spot to represent the Gators in the Olympics for her native Australia. After standing its ground for much of the summer, Athletics Australia overturned a previous

judgment that declared LaCaze ineligible to compete in the 3000-meter steeplechase in London due to a missed deadline. While her Florida career is over, she continues to make the orange and blue proud. Without LaCaze, Florida’s fastest returning runner from nationals is Florence N’Getich. N’Getich, who will be a senior in 2012, ran a 21:11.1 at nationals. This year the teams will compete with a slightly different schedule than in years past. In January, the NCAA Track & Field Subcommittee announced a new date for the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. Nationals had been either the Monday prior to or immediately following Thanksgiving. Under the new schedule outline, the championships will be Nov. 17 at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park in Louisville, Ky. Regional Championships are scheduled for Nov. 9.

MArk parrish

2012 FLORIDA GATORS CROSS COUNTRY SCHEDULE DATE MEET SITE Fri, Aug 31 Western Carolina Invitational Cullowhee, NC Sat, Sep 15 Mountain Dew Invitational Gainesville, FL Fri, Oct 5 Seminole Invitational Tallahassee, FL Sat, Oct 13 Pre-Nationals Louisville, KY Fri, Oct 26 SEC Championship Nashville, TN Fri, Nov 9 NCAA Regional Championship Tallahassee, FL Sat, Nov 17 NCAA Championship Louisville, KY Fact: UF alumni include at least nine prior governors of the state of Florida.

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FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK Sharrif Floyd warms up during a practice this past spring. The junior defensive lineman has been named to a team-high five preseason watch lists for national awards.

Alvarez Enshrined

By Mike Capshaw Photo by Saj Guevara

Eight players make watch lists for national awards

Gators earn preseason recognition Several Florida football players have been named to preseason watch lists for postseason awards. Gators junior defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd leads the way by making five watch lists. Floyd, a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder who’s expected to rotate between defensive end and tackle this season, has been nominated for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Outland Trophy and the Rotary Lombardi Trophy. Both the Bednarik and Nagurski awards are for the nation’s top college defensive player while the Lombardi is for the top lineman or linebacker and the Outland is for the top interior lineman on offense or defense.

Linebackers Jonathan Bostic and Jelani Jenkins joined Floyd on the Rotary Lombardi Preseason Watch List. They also made the watch list for the Butkus Award along with fellow linebacker Lerentee McCray. The Gators are one of only two teams with three players on the watch list for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation’s top linebacker. Junior safety Matt Elam joins Floyd on the Nagurski watch list and also is one of 35 players on the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List for the nation’s top defensive back. Only two Florida offensive players made watch lists. Junior Jonotthan Harrison made the watch list for the Dave Rimington Trophy, which is given annually to the top center in college football. Junior Andre DeBose was named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List for the most outstanding college football receiver. Perhaps the Florida player with the best shot to win an award may be kicker Caleb Sturgis. He is up for the Lou Groza Award, which he was a semifinalist for last season. Each watch list will be trimmed down throughout the season with the winners of each award announced after the regular season.

Former Gators receiver Carlos Alvarez was enshrined as part of the 2012 class into the College Football Hall of Fame on July 21 in South Bend, Ind. In three seasons at UF (1969–71), Alvarez hauled in 172 receptions for a school record 2,563 yards and 19 touchdowns. His 15 receptions in the 1969 Homecoming Game still stands as a single-game UF record. He’s the fifth Florida player to be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame, joining Steve Spurrier, Emmit Smith, Wilber Marshall, Jack Youngblood and Dale Van Sickel. Former UF coaches Ray Graves, Doug Dickey and Charles Bachman have been inducted as well. Alvarez is a member of Florida’s All-Century Team. He also has been inducted into the Florida-Georgia Game Hall of Fame and the GTE Academic All-America Hall of Fame.

Signee Struggles

Two true freshmen were not allowed to enroll in UF’s Summer B session with the rest of the Class of 2012. Defensive tackle Dante Phillips made it through the NCAA Clearinghouse, but was denied by UF’s Admissions Office because he reportedly took one more online make-up course than the school allows. Phillips was released from his national letter of intent by UF and plans to enroll at Tennessee. Defensive end Jonathan Bullard, a five-star prospect by national recruiting networks, was not cleared in time to enroll in Summer B because of his paperwork was filed late. However, he has been cleared to enroll for the fall semester and can practice with the rest of the team when fall camp begins Aug. 3.

National TV

Florida’s first three games of 2012 will be nationally televised by ESPN. The season opener against Bowling Green on Sept. 1 and the SEC opener at Texas A&M on Sept. 8 will both start at 3:30 p.m. The Gators’ game at Tennessee will begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 15. At press time, the only other game time that had been announced is UF’s game against Georgia in Jacksonville. It’s scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. and will air on CBS.

For daily Gators football updates, visit GatorCountry.com 20 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Fact: The Gators Baseball program began in 1912.

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP Fans cheer on the Gators during last season’s home football opener. Be sure to Gator Country’s Football Preview, which will be on newsstands before Florida’s Sept. 1 season opener against Bowling Green. Photos by Tim Casey

Florida’s Tessa Adujar heads a ball during the Gators preseason scrimmage a year ago. UF’s first home match is Aug. 17 vs. Miami at 7 p.m.

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Fact: In September 1991, construction was completed on new north end zone with capacity now at 83,000.

RECRUITING NOTEBOOK Alabama coach Nick Saban and Florida coach Will Muschamp chat before their game last season. They’re battling for top defensive end Demarcus Walker’s signature.

Clock ticking toward decision time for top prospects By Andrew Spivey Photo by Tim Casey

Several Florida targets planning to announce college choices soon Florida could receive great news in August when Jacksonville (Fla.) Sandalwood defensive end Demarcus Walker makes his college decision. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Walker will pick from his top four – Florida, Alabama, Auburn and Florida State – but in talking with Walker he states he’s narrowed it down to Alabama and Florida. Florida coach Will Muchamp already has locked up verbal commitments from two of Walker’s best friends in Ahmad Fulwood and Nick Washington. However, there is always the chance Walker will go to Alabama as he has bonded well with Tide coach Nick Saban. Another prospect to keep watch on is the son of former Gators great Mud Harris. Hailing from Orlando (Fla.), Marcell Harris is a 6-foot-1, 207-pound safety for Dr. Phillips. He has narrowed down his choices to Florida, Florida State and Texas. Harris camped at Florida this summer and will trek to Texas this fall for an official visit before making a decision. Will Harris walk in his daddy’s cleats or will Texas lure him away from his family legacy? Several other prospects have said they want to end their recruitment this fall like Hope Mills (N.C.) South View defensive tackle Greg Gilmore and Tampa (Fla.) Hillsborough defensive end Jordan Sherit. Both of those prospects have the Gators in their top three. Right now, LSU leads for Gilmore while the Gators and Stanford are battling it out for Sherit. With the Class of 2013 almost wrapped up, fall will bring a flurry of campus visits and scholarship offers for the Class of 2014. The 2014 prospects to keep an eye on are Blackshear (Ga.) Pierce County quarterback Tyler Harris, Palm Bay (Fla.) Bayside defensive tackle Travonte Fact: The Gators Baseball programs current coach is Kevin O’Sullivan

Valentine, West Palm Beach (Fla.) Dwyer receiver Johnnie Dixon and Cross City (Fla.) Dixie County cornerback Duke Dawson. Word is each of these prospects will visit Gainesville sometime this fall for a game or two as well as connect with the coaches at one of their high school games. With 17 commitments already locked down from the Class of 2013, the Gators’ coaching staff can spend the coming season hyper focused on the team rather than having their attention divided between recruiting and the season. Florida was at 18 pledges before Crestview (Fla.) High linebacker Dillan Lawson withdrew his commitment to UF. Lawson told GatorCountry.com he still is considering UF, but will visit other schools.

Hoops News

Florida basketball coach Bill Donovan picked up a huge verbal commitment from Bonifay (Fla.) Holmes County forward Chris Walker on July 22. The five-star prospect is as the No. 6-9 prospect in the country by national recruiting networks. The 6-foot-9, 220-pounder chose the Gators over Kansas, Duke, North Carolina, Louisville and countless others. Walker has had a superb summer playing AAU ball with Florida verbal commitment Kasey Hill, who’s also among the top 10 prospects nationally. “I will be teaming up with Kasey Hill, and together we will be the best duo in college and we will win a national championship,” Walker said on a mixtape that was posted on Youtube to announce his commitment. It’s been a different summer for the Gators than in year’s past as a new NCAA rule prohibiting recruits from visiting campuses during the month of July put a hamper on a few prospects visiting Gainesville.

Football Commitments (Class of 2013)* 1. RB Adam Lane (5–8, 215, Winter Haven, Fla.) 2. DT Caleb Brantley (6–3, 305, Crescent City, Fla.) 3. LB James Hearns (6–3, 235, Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln) 4. LB Daniel McMillian (6–3, 220, Jacksonville, Fla./First Coast) 5. RB Kelvin Taylor (5–10, 205, Belle Glade, Fla./Glades Day) 6. WR Rodney Adams (6-1, 175, St. Petersburg, Fla./Lakewood) 7. LB Quinton Powell (6-2, 195, Daytona Beach, Fla./Mainland) 8. DB Nick Washington (6-0, 180, Jacksonville, Fla./Trinity Christian) 9. DB Keanu Neal (6-1, 200, Bushnell, Fla./South Sumter) 10. OL Rod Johnson (6-5, 315, Delray Beach, Fla./American Heritage) 11. WR Ahmad Fulwood (6-4, 200, Jacksonville, Fla./Bishop Kenny) 12. DB Tre’ Bell (5-11, 170, Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter’s Prep) 13. OL Joshua Outlaw (6-4, 280, Lithonia, Ga./King) 14. OL Cameron Dillard (6-3, 285, Canton, Mich./Plymouth) 15. WR Marqui Hawkins (6-2, 205, Columbus, Ga./Carver) 16. DL Joey Ivie (6-4, 269, Dade City, Fla./Pasco) 17. QB Max Staver (6-5, 235, Brentwood, Tenn./Brentwood Academy)

Football Commitments (Class of 2014)* 1. WR Ryeshene Bronson (6-3, 195, Fort Myers, Fla./Dunbar)

Basketball Signees (Class of 2012)

1. Michael Frazier (6-4, 190, Clermont, Fla./Monteverde Academy) 2. Braxton Ogbueze (6-1, 185, Charlotte, N.C./United Faith Christian Academy) 3. Dillon Graham (6-4, 175, Orlando, Fla./First Academy) 4. DeVon Walker (6-6, 190, Winter Haven, Fla.)

Basketball Commitments (Class of 2013)* 1. Kasey Hill (6–0, 175, Clermont, Fla./Monteverde Academy) 2. Chris Walker (6–9, 220, Bonifay, Fla./Holmes County)

*Verbal commitments are non-binding. GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 23

the Play Book

AUGUST It’s always Gameday in Gainesville,

August 1st 1pm Verdant Earth and Teeming Seas: The Natural World in Ancient American Art @ Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

August 4th Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway @ Florida Museum of Natural History

August 6th 7pm “White Light, Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki” @ Civic Media Center

August 8th 1pm Verdant Earth and Teeming Seas: The Natural World in Ancient American Art @ Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

August 9th 10am Art, Craft & LifeStyle Show

only the venues change.

@ The Oaks Mall 4:30pm 2nd Annual Recipe Rumble @ HarborChase of Gainesville

August 10th Soccer @ UCF (Exhibition)

10am Art, Craft & LifeStyle Show @ The Oaks Mall August 11th 10am Art, Craft & LifeStyle Show @ The Oaks Mall 7pm Golden Apple Awards Show @ Vam York Theater

Seas: The Natural World in Ancient American Art @ Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

AUgust 17th 7pm Soccer vs. Miami August 18th 11am Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Event @ Etc... Boutique

VisitGainesville.com 24 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Chorus sings: Cool Music on a Rockin’ Hot Day @ The Thomas Center

– August 19, 2012 @ University of Florida: Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

August 22nd 1pm Verdant Earth and Teeming Seas: The Natural World in Ancient American Art @ Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

August 24th 5:30pm Volleyball Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida A&M

7pm Soccer @ North Carolina 7:30pm Volleyball vs. Florida Internationa

August 25th 8am GRU Presents 13th Annual Benefit Golf Tournament for Williams Elementary School @ Ironwood Golf Course 10am Volleyball Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida A&M 12pm Volleyball Florida A&M 5:30pm Florida A&M vs. Florida International 7:30pm Volleyball Florida Gulf Coast

August 26th 1pm Soccer @ Duke August 29th. 1pm Verdant Earth and Teeming

August 15th 1pm Verdant Earth and Teeming

3pm Gainesville Harmony Show

August 19th 12pm Gainesville Wedding Expo

Seas: The Natural World in Ancient American Art @ Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art

August 31st 11am Bring it to the Table’s “Table Tour” @ Turlington Plaza on the University of Florida campus, Women’s Cross Country @ Western Carolina Invitational Men’s Cross Country @ Western Carolina Invitational 4:30pm Volleyball @ Texas 7pm Soccer @ Florida State

Fact: UF opened its doors in Gainesville in 1906 with 102 students.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Gator Trivia: Florida Bowl History 2) In what year did quarterback Jimmy Dunn and All-SEC end Dave Hudson lead Florida back to the Gator Bowl, where they lost to Mississippi, 7-3. A) 1958 B) 1959 C) 1960 D) 1955

3) What coach led Florida to the Jacksonville classic after the 1960 season and knocked off Baylor, 13–12? A) George E. Pyle B) Ray Graves C) Bob Woodruff D) Doug Dickey

4) One of the biggest upsets in Gator Bowl history took place in…, when heavilyfavored Penn State was soundly beaten by the Gators, 17–7, behind quarterback Tom Shannon and a stout defense. A) 1964 B) 1965 C) 1962 D) 1966

A) Tim Tebow B) Danny Wuerffel C) Chris Leak D) Steve Spurrier

6) In 1973, what bowl games was played in Gainesville due to construction at the Orlando stadium site. A) The Citrus Bowl B) The Gator Bowl C) The Tangerine Bowl D) The Rose Bowl

7) In what year did Charley Pell’s first bowl team at Florida come? A) 1980 B) 1981 C) 1984 D) 1979

9) In what bowl did Galen Hall capture his first bowl victory as a head coach in 1988. A) The All-American Bowl B) The Orange Bowl C) The Gator Bowl D) The Sugar Bowl

10) In 1989, what bowl did Florida lose to Washington, 34–7? A) The Sugar Bowl B) The Orange Bowl C) The Freedom Bowl D) The All-American Bowl

11) 1991 capped a banner season with an appearance in the 1992 Sugar Bowl versus what team? A) Florida State B) Notre Dame C) Miami (FL) D) Maryland

12) Who did the Gators lose to in the 1995 Fiesta Bowl after capping off the 8) What team did the 1983 squad, making first perfect regular season in Gator its fourth consecutive bowl appearance football history? under Pell, defeat in the Gator Bowl? A) Penn State A) Purdue B) Iowa C) Florida State D) Georgia

B) Florida State C) Oklahoma D) Nebraska

Fact: The Gators’ 16 MLB picks under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan over the past two years are tied for the most in the league.

13) The 1996 season produced the Gators’ second-straight appearance in the national championship game, and Florida came out on the winning end this time. Who did they defeat? A) Miami (FL) B) Florida State C) Ohio State D) Nebraska

14) On New Year’s Day of 1998, in Orlando, the Gators defeated what team at the Florida Citrus Bowl? A) Ohio State B) Florida State C) USC D) Penn State

15) In what year did UF returned to the Outback Bowl to take on the No. 12 Iowa Hawkeyes? A) 2004 B) 2005 C) 2003 D) 2001

Answer Key:

A) 1956 B) 1957 C) 1953 D) 1952

5) Who became the first player in Sugar Bowl history to be named the game’s most outstanding player from a losing team? He broke six bowl records in the contest.

1–c, 2–a, 3–b, 4–c, 5–d, 6–c, 7–a, 8–b, 9–a, 10–c, 11–b, 12–d, 13–b, 14–d, 15–a

1) UF’s first bowl trip occurred in what year?

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 25

MOTHER KNOWS BEST

MOM’S THE WORD! When most people think of fall, they think of FOOTBALL, but for many mothers, we think of getting our little ones ready for school. With that preparation comes anxiety for us – and our children. Luckily, many parents and children have gone through the very same experience every single fall for many years and have numerous tips and bits of advice to help ease the anxiety that comes along with sending your little guy or gal away for the day. These tips are targeted at parents of younger children as this age seems to be the hardest to let go as they head off to big boy and big girl school. • S tart a routine before school actually starts. Set a dinnertime, bath time and bedtime routine in place a week or two before school actually starts and make it fun for your youngster so they look forward to completing the routine. Perhaps make different desserts for after dinner, or add new bath toys. It is the simple rewards which make little tasks seem fun and exciting to little people. • As the first day of school approaches, find out what their first day of school will entail. For example, the teacher may give you a handout of what is expected of his or her students, such as, first we put up our backpacks, then we sit down and color while announcements are on, then we have reading time, etc. Doing this let’s your son or daughter know what to expect when they get to school. • A sk them about any questions they have about school the night before. When you are answering their questions, be honest, but be positive and if you aren’t sure, simply tell your child you two will ask the teacher together in the morning rather than telling your child the wrong information. Talk to your child about school and why it will be something they will enjoy. Explain school is a place they can meet other kids and become friends as well as learn new things. 26 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

• G o shopping for school supplies and clothes • Make sure to communicate with your child’s teacher. Make this a regular thing. together to help get your child excited about Most teachers will send home a weekly going to school for the first time. progress report or folder and are available via email. Parent/Teacher conferences are • Visit the school a few days in advance and available during certain times of the walk around. This will help your child to school year as well as open houses and be a little familiar with the school so it even brief conversations in the morning won’t seem as scary the first day. Go to before class can be beneficial for you and the orientation so your child can meet the your child. Finding out what you can do to teacher and see their classroom. Many help your child and the teacher will make times, teachers who are on the ball, will a tremendous difference in your child’s already have seats assigned with your success in school. child’s name in place, a cool pencil and crayon holder at their seat, and some • K eep in touch with other parents. awesome classroom decorations and Many schools have newsletters, PTA books, maybe even a classroom pet meetings, fund raisers, and school wide which will make your child’s learning address books which allow parents to environment even more friendly. contact each other and keep up on current events going on in the school. And • When you take your child to school, while many of us work and can’t be a full drive them or walk them to school, rather time room mother or father, see what you than putting them on the bus. It will give can do. Get with your child’s teacher and you a chance to answer any last minute the home room mother and find out how questions and take advantage of some you can help. Try to attend as many class special time on the first day of school. You parties, celebrations, reading days, can walk with him or her to the front door plays, etc. you can as having mommy but some experts say to say your goodbyes or daddy at school is a very special there. Some parents feel it is never a good day for any child. idea to go into the classroom because this makes it harder for you to leave. Honestly, Personally, I went through this last year it is easy for me to tell you this, but each child is different, and you know your child and will be going through it again this year. better than any expert. Generally, teachers I have a 6 year old who will be attending first are very understanding the first few days of grade this year and a 4 year old who will be going to VPK. My two boys have two totally school and personally, I think you should different personalities, but I can guarantee do what you feel is right. Mommy’s have you one thing for sure, I will probably have instincts for a reason, use them. more stress and anxiety than they will on their first day of school, and while I came • When you pick your child at the end up with all these wonderful tips for you of the day, make sure you set aside some free time to talk to them about their parents out there, I myself, will have to read this article 15 times before Aug. 20. day. Let them tell you all about their Wish me luck! experience and how it made them feel. It is so important to do this every day because it will help to keep them Renee Gork graduated from University of Florida in 2001. interested in school. This will also help She is the Student Experiences Coordinator for the The you know right away if your child is Division of Multimedia Properties College of Journalism having problems so you can heal and Communications at UF. Email questions and with them quickly. comment to Renee at rgork@wruf.com Fact: More than 90 percent take part in recreational activities

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

Mr. Orange of the Orange & Blue spandex-clad students, holds up a sign during the 2011 football season opener. Don’t miss Gator Country’s Football Preview, which will be on newsstands before Florida’s Sept. 1 season opener against Bowling Green. Photos by Tim Casey

Fact: The 2010-11 is Florida’s third consecutive top-four finish in the rankings.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 27

RETURN TO THE TOP Libero Taylor Unroe will be one of the team’s vocal leaders despite only being a sophomore.

By Elizabeth Rhodes Photos by Tim Casey

4 Starters Gators return leadership, talent to help lead underclassmen

28 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

The University of Florida volleyball team is welcoming back four incredible starters whose passion and drive to excel at the sport they love has helped them climb their way to the top of the leaderboard. Junior middle blocker Chloe Mann, senior middle blocker Betsy Smith, sophomore libero Taylor Unroe and senior right-side hitter Tangerine Wiggs are all returning starters for the Gators 2012 season, which begins Aug. 24. These four successful Florida players helped the orange and blue exceed expectations last year as the Gators made their way to the NCAA Elite Eight. Mann became a household name in the O’Dome when she erupted on the court her sophomore year by setting personal and league records to earn herself a starting position as a middle blocker about midway through the 2011 season. Mann’s breakout moment was when the Gators defeated LSU and Arkansas in back-to-back road matches. The then-sophomore hit a career-high .900, nailing an errorless 18 kills out of 20 swings against the Tigers marking the highest hitting percentage in NCAA history when an attacker has 20 or more swings. The Gainesville native then followed up that performance with 19 kills against Arkansas. Mann’s 19 kills were the most by a Gators middle blocker since the change of scoring in sets was to 25-points. LSU coach Fran Flory talked about the challenge Mann poses for opponents and how difficult she makes it on the competition’s coaches. “We had no answer for her,” Flory said. “It was very frustrating sitting on the bench trying to get our middles to respond. As a coaching staff, if you have someone put up those numbers, it is your job to teach and coach your kids through that match. The key was that she wasn’t predictable. She hit right, she hit left, she tipped and she had a knack for picking the right shot at the right time.” Smith and Wiggs are the lone returning starting seniors for the orange and blue this season. While Smith’s incredible work ethic is incomparable to others and elevated her to another level this past year, Wiggs always provides the Gators with a solid performance on the court as well. Smith’s growth from her sophomore to junior year transformed her into a different player that everyone noticed. UF coach Mary Wise emphasizes that Smith also has leadership skills that are rare to come across. “We always expect a leadership from our older players, especially our senior class,

Fact: Forbes Magazine ranked Gainesville as one of the most affordable cities in the U.S.

RETURN TO THE TOP

but we may never have had the pleasure of the leadership skills of Betsy Smith,” Wise said. “She’s a very unique student athlete. She’s brilliant and she represents the Gator athletes in so many positive ways. She really is one of the best true leaders we have had in our program. “As a fifth-year senior and with so many incoming freshman we are very lucky to have her in that role.” It’s apparent that Wiggs shined as a right-side hitter as the junior registered 244 kills on the season and put up 87 blocks for the Gators. “Although her numbers may not be big, she allowed us, with her blocking, to dig behind it,” Wise said about Wiggs after a crucial Michigan match in the NCAA Regional semifinals where the Gators won 3-0. While Wiggs only had two kills on the night, Wise’s quote emphasizes it was her efforts on the court that gave the Gators the opportunities they had offensively. Unroe was given the

responsibility early on as a freshman to be the voice and leader of the backcourt for the Florida Gators. Unroe took on the role with such a tremendous amount of grace and poise that it was easy to forget her youth as a college volleyball player. The freshman quickly adapted to the competitive level of college play and amazed Wise only two matches into her career. “She is only two matches into her career so there is a lot of great future ahead of her,” Wise said. “Her game will continue to get better in terms of her serving, secondary setting and defense, but for her as a freshman, the way she started is really exciting.” As these four standouts prepare for the challenging season ahead there is no doubt they will be outstanding examples for the seven newcomers in the 2012 class. When Mann, Smith, Unroe and Wiggs step on the court, Gators fans can be at ease knowing true leadership is out there guiding the freshmen to new heights.

Gainesville native Chloe Mann shows her excitement after hammering home a point in a 3–0 win against Florida State on Sept. 1, 2011.

Fact: UF alumni include dozens of athletes on both the professional and amateur level.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 29

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

Betsy Smith is the one on the right, No. 14

By Elizabeth Rhodes Photos by Tim Casey

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW Gators volleyball takes court with many newcomers The 2011 volleyball season consisted of a battle-tested and challenging schedule for the University of Florida Gators. The orange and blue showed their ability to handle adversity as they advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years despite entering the tournament unseeded. The Gators wrapped up their season on a strong 27–6 note and are now getting ready to make their 2012 season debut on Aug. 24 with the Campus USA Credit Union Invite in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. “We understand that with the graduation of talent and so much 30 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

experience there will be a learning curve,” said UF coach Mary Wise. “Although we are excited about the young players and the skills they bring in, we also understand that some are going to be playing with zero college experience. “We will be working through that early on and hope by the end the SEC rolls around that we are playing well enough to compete for a title.” The Gators made their 21st consecutive NCAA tournament appearance this past season to make them the most successful program in the NCAA since Wise joined the University of Florida in 1991.

Last season Wise shared words of wisdom as to why her 2011 squad was able to exceed expectations in keeping the tourney appearance streak live by and moving on by eliminating high-ranked teams. She believed the key to their success was the absence of pressure from the Gators being unseeded in the tournament. “We look at it as no pressure,” Wise said. “We are unseeded, no one expected us to get this far. Confidence is high, expectations are low, which equals no pressure.” This season’s schedule includes 17 home matches, two home tournaments and participation for the third year in the NIKE

Fact: Gainesville was at one time known as “Hogtown” for the creek that ran through it.

VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

Volleyball Big Four Classic hosted by Penn State University. The Southeastern Conference is introducing two new schools this year in Texas A&M and Missouri. The Gators will face off against their new SEC foe Missouri on Sept. 21 in Gainesville and then hit the road to battle the Tigers on their home turf in Columbia, Mo., on Nov. 9. Florida will travel to College Station, Texas, to play other newly added SEC opponent Texas A&M on Oct. 21. Florida’s first big matches of the season take place in the NIKE Big Four Classic where the Gators face 2011 NCAA Final Four participant Texas at 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 and 2011 NCAA participant Stanford Cardinal on Sept. 1. Then the in-state rivalry battle continues, as the Gators will travel to Tallahassee to take on the Florida State Seminoles at on Sept. 5. Wise sees the tournaments and match against the Seminoles as a growing opportunity for her team to prepare for the SEC as it’s continuously more challenging every year. “The non-conference schedule will give us the opportunity to prepare for the SEC,” Wise said. “The addition of Texas A&M and Missouri will make our league race that much tougher.” As the new season approaches, the reality that five outstanding players won’t be back with the rest of the team this year is sinking in. Graduating seniors Cassandra Anderson, Stephanie Ferrell, Elissa Hausmann, Kristy Jaeckel and Kelly Murphy were all essential parts to the Gators’ volleyball team. They left behind big shoes to fill for this year’s starting lineup. With seven new incoming freshmen and one redshirted transfer putting on orange and blue uniforms this

year Wise explains that despite how talented the newcomers are, the only way to get better at this level is experience. “No matter how talented the high school senior comes in, she has zero college experience,” Wise said. “And that just takes time.” Before Murphy and Jaeckel became legendary athletes at the University of Florida they were just high school graduates like the incoming freshman are now. They also saw the accomplishments the graduating class before them had achieved. “The seniors that had graduated before them – the 2008 class – were very accomplished, talented players who left their names all over our record book,” Wise said. “We had said at that time that our freshman class was very talented but with zero college experience. “We understand there is no way to fast forward experience. It goes in cycles so here we are again.” Just as the powerhouse duo took great strides in their game from gaining experience, we can expect the new freshmen to do the same. Freshmen setter Dana Backlund, outside hitter Gabby Mallette, libero Nikki O’Rourke, outside hitter Živa Recek, outside hitter Jackie Swalchick, early enrollee and outside hitter Berkley Whaley and Louisville transfer Taylor Brauneis are this season’s freshman class, along with redshirt freshman middle blocker Simone Antwi. “The 2012 class as a whole, by its talent and depth, has a chance to play a major role in our success over the next four years,” Wise said. Returning to the Gators from last season are several starters with middle blocker Chloe Mann, middle blocker Betsy Smith, libero Taylor Unroe and right-side hitter Tangerine Wiggs.

Fact: Money Magazine named Gainesville as Florida’s most livable city.

2012 FLORIDA GATORS VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT

SITE

TIME (ET)

Aug 24–25 Campus USA Credit Union Invite

Fri, Aug 24 Fri, Aug 24 Sat, Aug 25 Sat, Aug 25 Sat, Aug 25 Sat, Aug 25

Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida A&M Gainesville, FL Florida International Gainesville, FL Florida International vs. Gainesville, FL Florida Gulf Coast Florida A&M Gainesville, FL Florida A&M vs. Florida International Gainesville, FL Florida Gulf Coast Gainesville, FL

5:30 pm 7:30 pm 10:00 am 12:00 pm 5:30 pm 7:30 pm

Aug 31–Sep 1 NIKE Big Four Classic

Fri, Aug 31 Sat, Sep 1 Mon, Sep 3 Wed, Sep 5

Texas University Park, PA 4:30 pm Stanford University Park, PA 4:00 pm Slovenian Junior National Team Gainesville, FL TBA (Exhibition) Florida State Tallahassee, FL 7:00 pm

Sep 7–8 Active Ankle Challenge

Fri, Sep 7 Georgia Tech vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Gainesville, FL 5:30 pm Fri, Sep 7 Jacksonville Gainesville, FL 7:30 pm Sat, Sep 8 Jacksonville vs. Georgia Tech Gainesville, FL 10:00 am Sat, Sep 8 Louisiana-Lafayette Gainesville, FL 12:00 pm Sat, Sep 8 Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Jacksonville Gainesville, FL 5:30 pm Sat, Sep 8 Georgia Tech Gainesville, FL 7:30 pm Fri, Sep 14 Arkansas * Fayetteville, AR TBA Sun, Sep 16 Kentucky * Lexington, KY TBA Fri, Sep 21 Missouri * Gainesville, FL TBA Fri, Sep 28 South Carolina * Columbia, SC TBA Sun, Sep 30 Mississippi State * Starkville, MS TBA Fri, Oct 5 Arkansas * Gainesville, FL TBA Sun, Oct 7 Kentucky * Gainesville, FL TBA Fri, Oct 12 Ole Miss * Gainesville, FL TBA Sun, Oct 14 Auburn * Gainesville, FL TBA Fri, Oct 19 Alabama * Tuscaloosa, AL TBA Sun, Oct 21 Texas A&M * College Station, TX TBA Fri, Oct 26 Mississippi State * Gainesville, FL TBA Fri, Nov 2 Georgia * Gainesville, FL TBA Sun, Nov 4 Tennessee * Gainesville, FL TBA Fri, Nov 9 Missouri * Columbia, MO TBA Sun, Nov 11 Ole Miss * Oxford, MS TBA Fri, Nov 16 LSU * Gainesville, FL TBA Sun, Nov 18 South Carolina * Gainesville, FL TBA Wed, Nov 21 Auburn * Auburn, AL TBA Fri, Nov 23 Georgia * Athens, GA TBA Florida coach Mary Wise has led the Gators to 21 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 31

IT’S GOOD!

Referee Signals Reset Play Clock – 25 seconds. Pump one arm vertically.

Touchdown, Field Goal, or Successful Try. Both arms extended above head

Safety. Palms together above head

First Down. Arm point toward defensive team’s goal Reset Play Clock – 40 Seconds. Pump two arms vertically

Ball illegally touched, kicked, or batted. Fingertips tap both shoulders

Time in with Whistle, Start Clock, No Time-out. Full arm circled to simulate moving clock.

Ineligible receiver or ineligible member of kicking team downfield. Right hand touch top of cap Penalty refused, Incomplete pass, Play over, or Missed Field Goal or Extra Point. Hands shifted in horizontal plane

Pass juggle inbounds and caught out of bounds. Hands up and down in front of chest (following incomplete pass signal) Holding. Grasping n e wrist, the fist clenched, in front of chest.

Time Out. Hands crisscrossed above head. Same signal followed by placing one hand on top of cap: Referee’s Time Out. Same signal followed by am swung at side: Touchback.

Delay of Game or Excess Time Out. Folded arms.

Crowd Noise, Dead ball, or Neutral Zone established. One arm above head with an open hand. With first closed: Fourth Down.

False Start, Illegal Formation, Kickoff or Safety, Kick out of Bounds or Kicking Team, Player voluntarily out of bounds during a punt. Forearms rotated over and over in front of body

32 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Interference with Forward Pass or Fair Catch. Hands open and extended forward from shoulders with hands vertical INVALID FAIR-CATCH SIGNAL: One hand waved above head

Illegal Forward Pass. One hand waved behind back followed by loss of down signal, when appropriate

Illegal Use of Hands, Arms, Body. Grasping one wrist, the hand open and facing forward, in front of chest.

Intentional Grounding of Pass. Parallel arms waved in a diagonal plane across body. Followed by loss of down signal Illegal Contact. One open hand extended forward. Personal Foul. One wrist striking the other above head. Same signal followed by sing leg: Roughing the kicker, or by raised arm swinging forward; Roughing the passer and by grasping facemask; Major facemask Fact: It opened its doors in Gainesville in 1906 with 102 students.

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GOOD!

Offside, Encroachment, or Neutral Zone Infraction. Hands on hips

Illegal Crack back. Strike f an open right hand against the right mid-thigh preceded by personal foul signal.

Uncatchable Forward Pass. Palm of right hand held parallel to ground above head and moved back and forth.

Interlocking Interference, Pushing or Helping Runner. Pushing movement of hands to front with arms Touching a forward pass Tripping. downward or Scrimmage Kick. Repeated action Diagonal motion of one of right foot in hand across another. back of left heel Twelve men in Offensive Huddle or too many man on the field. Both hands on top of head

Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Arms outstretched palms down. Facemask. Grasping facemask with one hand.

Illegal shift. Horizontal arcs with two hands. Loss of Down. Both hands held behind head

Illegal Motion at Snap. Horizontal arc with one hand

Player Disqualified. Ejection signal

Fact: It opened its doors in Gainesville in 1906 with 102 students.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 33

Florida first-year offensive coordinator Brent Pease is expected to establish a hard-nosed running game that will help the Gators control the clock, especially late in games. Photo by Saj Guevara

By Phillip Heilman

Muschamp wants to move the chains

Gators to feature a new-look offense under first-year coordinator Brent Pease

Heading into his second season as the coach of the Florida Gators, Will Muschamp has several questions facing his program. How will first-year offensive coordinator Brent Pease change the Gators’ offense? Which of Florida’s two young quarterbacks will be under center when the team begins the season at home against Bowling Green on Sept. 1? During his time at Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala., he offered some insight into the two most pressing questions his offense will face beginning the season. Perhaps the most intriguing question is the ongoing quarterback battle between sophomores Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett. After John Brantley went down with an injury in Florida’s fifth game of the season in 2011, the Gators looked to Driskel and Brissett to be playmakers. However, both struggled through Florida’s toughest portion of the schedule. For Muschamp, losing Brantley and depending on the freshman duo really hurt the team last year. “When we lost him [Brantley], we lost a lot of confidence offensively,” he said. “That really permeates and effects your entire football team when that happens.” This season, Muschamp expects a 34 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

renewed confidence in the quarterback position – no matter who is taking the snaps. Maintaining the status quo of not projecting a starter for the season, he spoke about how even Driskel and Brissett are at this point in their progression. “Both guys are very talented. Both guys are certainly qualified for the position,” he said. “I think if you saw our spring game, you saw what I saw for 14 practices – two guys that are very even in their competition.” Moving forward, Muschamp said to expect much of the same. “They’re even going into fall camp,” he said. “They will get equal reps.” He added he would like to have a starter named before the first game, but there is not a set date he will make a decision by. That mean Florida could use both quarterbacks early in the season. Because Driskel and Brissett have similar sets of skills, Muschamp and Pease can establish one offensive system that fits both quarterbacks. An offense predicated on a smash-mouth, downhill run game, along with a lot of play-action and bootleg passing. Muschamp said the team was forced to stretch the ball outside on runs last year

because of the size of Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. This season, with Mike Gillislee expected to get the lion’s share of touches out of the backfield, Florida will look to feature a tougher interior run game. This style of play is something that suits Pease. While questions abound whether his Boise State success will translate to the SEC, the formula has proven to be effective. Many people look at Boise as the team that beat Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl with trickery and deception. However, Peace developed an offensive system in Boise predicated on hard-nosed running and a passing game that moved the quarterback around the pocket. That offensive system has done pretty well the last few years at programs such as Alabama and LSU, who run similar styles. “Our new offensive coordinator brings a north-south, physical run game Florida hasn’t had in a long time,” Gillislee said. Given the new personnel and coaching, Florida’s offense is sure to be different in a number of ways. For Muschamp, there is one critical difference he wants to see from Year 1 to Year 2: “We better score some more points.”

Fact: Florida has 16 colleges and more than 200 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes.

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Jamie Sison, a 20-year old dietetic junior, was raised in Atlanta and has been a fan of Willy’s food for four years. When hearing the news a Willy’s was opening in Gainesville, Sison said she was excited. “I prefer this to competitors,” she said. “I believe the flavors are much more distinctive.”

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Angling FOR A NIBBLE

Hook. Line. Sinker.

the best bet for this species for those continuing to pursue them. Classic bass fishing tactics should provide for some action with the early morning or late evenings being the best times.

LAKE NEWNANS

The prolonged drought in north central Florida has greatly influenced access to the fisheries at Newnans Lake. Access is currently only possible with small vessels that can be pushed off of their trailers. For those anglers that manage to reach the lake, most are fishing the relatively deeper water near Palm Point for bream, catfish, and black crappie. Anglers should be aware of tagged black crappie with rewards. If you catch a tagged crappie, call the number below to receive information on how to claim your reward:

Travis Tuten, FWC fisheries biologist: 352-955-3220.

SUWANNEE AND SANTA FE RIVERS

Boaters should be extremely cautious on both rivers, as low water has made clearance over sand bars and other underwater hazards less certain.

Water levels and flow volumes in both of these rivers are near all-time lows. This is much more evident in the Santa Fe and from Branford upstream in the Suwannee. Rainfall in the latter parts of last quarter has helped two docks are both too shallow and chocked somewhat. Plan your fishing accordingly and with emergent vegetation. Concentrate your don’t forget to keep a watchful eye out for the spotty afternoon thunderstorms. Additionally, efforts from a small boat in the northern this is the time of year that sturgeon are lobe of the lake. As the shallow water jumping, so slow down to reduce the risk of warms, all fish will utilize the deeper water colliding with one of these massive fish. in the northern section more frequently. Try fishing with crickets or worms on the Most spring runs are productive areas to bottom for panfish in the deep hole. This sight cast for striped mullet. Try filamentous area can be spotted by its lack of standing algae wrapped around your hook and fished timber. The abundance of the flooded under a float. Water clarity and schooling cypress offer bass the needed cover for mullet combine for a unique opportunity to ambushing unsuspecting forage. target this species of fish. Look for surface ripples, and then simply cast your baited LAKE WAUBERG hook in front of the actively feeding schools Bluegill and redear sunfish should bite at at the river/run confluence. the edges of grass on crickets and grass shrimp all summer. Seek out physical In the Santa Fe, eelgrass beds in the upper structure interface areas, such as and middle reaches hold fish. Try fishing for maidencane/open water or lily pad/grass bass and panfish in deep grass beds or close combinations. Earthworms fished off the to fallen trees with small jigs or mealworms. bottom are also a good choice for both of Mealworms tend to stay on hooks better in these species. Black crappie fishing slows down in summer months; mid-lake would be grass than crickets. The lower Santa Fe has

As of May 2012. Courtesy of Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. LAKE SANTA FE

With the largemouth bass spawning period over, bass will move from the shallows to deeper water more frequently. Fish the vegetative edge in the early morning and late evening hours. Topwater frogs or Zoom Horny Toads have been productive lately. By mid to late morning, most activity will stop near shore, so switch tactics and target bass in deeper water with associated submerged structure. Two FWC marked fish attractors were refurbished this past January and should be ideal locations to begin your efforts. Also, shell bars can be located with newer bottom scanning electronics; they have been productive offshore spots for some anglers. Panfish spawning activity will peak this quarter. Look for beds in shallow or clear waters.

SUWANNEE LAKE

Water levels are low and shallow water is a result. Most of the fishable areas from the

For the latest updates, visit myfwc.com 36 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Fact: In NCAA baseball, an SEC squad has won the national championship in each of the last three years.

Angling FOR A NIBBLE

less grass and therefore narrows the available habitat for ambush predators, namely bass. Summer time is flounder gigging season in the lower tidal creeks of the Suwannee. This takes some specialized equipment, a spotlight, and headlamps for the giggers, but can be very sporting. Water clarity is a factor that can make or break an outing. Outgoing tides can be more productive because sediment from the rivers delta is not being carried back upstream when the tide is incoming. Be sure to review all the saltwater fishing regulations regarding length and bag limits.

RODMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RESERVOIR

Look out for floating logs. To prevent boating accidents during the drawdown, boaters are asked to watch their wake and be courteous to anglers fishing along the Barge Canal and river channel. As the drought and low water levels continue to affect Gainesville and most other surrounding area lakes, Rodman Reservoir remains an excellent fishing destination for largemouth bass and bream. With the hot summer months approaching, largemouth bass will generally move off the flats and seek deeper water. Largemouth bass anglers will have success fishing the river channel with deep crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms. Early morning and early evening topwater baits should provide strikes along the flats adjacent to the river channel from Orange Spring to Kirkpatrick Dam. Further upstream, deep bends are holding largemouth bass from Orange Springs to Eureka. Again, deep crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms are best bets. Bluegill and redear

sunfish action is good in the vegetation mats along the Kenwood area, while redbreast sunfish can be caught upstream of Orange Springs in deep holes. Grass shrimp and crickets should be your best live baits.

UPPER ST. JOHNS RIVER & LAKES

Water levels in the upper St. Johns River are already starting to rise and most of the river and lakes should be navigable during the upcoming quarter if summer rainfall continues to prevail. As long as the river remains inside its banks, fish will be concentrated in the deeper holes and sandbar drop-offs where clean water can be found. As water levels begin to rise, anglers should find bass and panfish catches improving without having to motor great distances. Moving water resulting from seasonal rainfall usually stimulates feeding activity in the river and at the entrances and the exits of the lakes. Anglers should target the edges of submerged vegetation along banks, sharp bends, and drop-offs near shallow bars. Lake Washington will be the best choice for those anglers with larger boats because the lake has a dam at its outlet and is typically deeper. The south entrance to the lake and the northern exit above the dam are two top spots to try for all species. Bass and panfish fishing should be good among the mixed bulrush, bonnets and emergent grass located along the deeper eastern shoreline. Crappie anglers should take fair numbers of fish by slow-trolling artificials or by drifting with live minnows in the deeper, open water areas of Lake Washington and in Lake Poinsett, too, if adequate rainfall raises that lake.

For the latest updates, visit myfwc.com Fact: In Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cross Country, the SEC sent two teams to compete in the NCAA Championships with Arkansas leading the way with a 10th-place finish.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 37

GADGETS

By Daniel Sutphin

Gearing Up f or Fall

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Lighted grill tongs let you keep the fire going, even after the sun goes down! Designed by Steven Raichlen from Barbecue University, these BBQ grill tongs feature a removable LED flashlight. They lock closed for easy storage and are 20-inches long to prevent burning of the hands! Additionally, the flashlight removes quickly so you can wash them in the dishwasher for easy clean up. The tongs feature steel arms, insulated high-temp handles with grips, and a grill-hanging loop!

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38 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Fact: Famous alumnus, Michael Connelly, went on to become a best-selling mystery novelist.

GADGETS Tailgater Dual Tank Backpack Drink Dispenser 210oz

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GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 39 7/30/2012 5:11:08 PM

ELEGANCE ON THE FIELD

Soccer Skating By Max Mattern

Class: Senior Positions: Midfielder/Forward Height: 5-foot-5 Hometown: Lakewood Ranch, Fla. High School: Edison Academic Center Notable: Led the Gators with 32 total points and 12 goals and was named a second-team NSCAA All-American in 2011. Named the team’s Offensive MVP at a postseason awards banquet. Quotable: “If you can balance yourself on the ice then you can balance yourself on the field.” – Gators senior Erika Tymrak

UF senior uses figure skating background to glide on soccer field

With graceful stride and style of play, Erica Tymrak can only be described as elegant. Elegant isn’t usually used to describe a soccer player, but it fits Tymrak. Tymrak, pronounced TIM-rack, is going into her senior year as a member of the Gators ‘ soccer team. She has played at least 1,600 minutes in each season at Florida. For her career, she has scored 23 goals to go along with 28 assists. She led the team with 12 goals in 2011. Tymrak grew up in the Detroit superb of Macomb, Mich., before moving to Lakewood Ranch, Fla., when she was 12. Around the age of three, she picked up a pair of soccer cleats and the rest is history. What many people do not realize is she also picked up a pair of figure skates at the same time. Figure skating and soccer are not exactly two sports that go hand-in-hand, but to Tymrak they were perfect at balancing each other out. “I like the feeling of being on the ice and the grace that comes with it,” Tymrak said. “Soccer isn’t like that. It’s more aggressive, contact and ice skating is kind of the opposite. It was nice to be able to run around outside and tackle people and get all dirty. But at the same time, I could go on the ice and feel more graceful. It was a cool transition.” As the saying goes, opposites attract. When she was 11, Tymrak decided to give up ice skating, a little quid pro quo to invest all of her time in soccer. As with giving up any sport like figure skating, tendencies typically follow a person, in this case, from the rink to the field. Figure skating shows up 40 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

in Tymrak’s ball control, but she pinpointed one move she consistently does in particular known as the “Maradona.” Maradona is a basically a complete 360-degree move around the ball. The Maradona is considered an elite-level move in the soccer world because it takes patience and tons of practice to perfect. Tymrak doesn’t fall into that category. The move is more natural to her with all of the experience of doing flips, turns and spins on the ice. “If you can balance yourself on the ice then you can balance yourself on the field,” Tymrak said with a smile. The skating background helps her in some aspects on the soccer field, yet other times the skating naturally appears on its own. “When I’m dribbling sometimes and let’s say I get the ball and I turn it halfway and I just see green grass; I just take off and it literally feels like I’m gliding,” Tymrak said. Gliding on nothing but green grass is a feeling she embraces and a mirage crowds watch in awe. Each stride includes perfectly pointed toes causing the spectators to doubt if it’s a soccer player sprinting on the field or a figure skater skating on the ice. To Tymrak though, the beauty of figure skating can still be found in the play of soccer itself. “Everybody thinks that soccer is 100 percent rough and just tackling upon tackling,” Tymrak said. “You have to have a lot of poise and balance. What I’ve learned is that you kind of have to find a balance between being aggressive and then being,

I don’t want to say elegant, but very … elegant, basically.” Tymrak is able to find the splendor of soccer from her figure skating roots and understand the majestic, articulate areas of the game. Even though figure skating isn’t physically part of her life, it is prevalent in her role as a soccer player. Actually, she’s more of a figure skater on grass who’s dubbed as a soccer player.

Fact: Popular Science Magazine named Gainesville as the most technologically advanced city in Florida.

Mugshot courtesy UF Communications

Erika Tymrak

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

UF goalie Taylor Burke returns for her sophomore season to patrol the net. Photo by Tim Casey

Florida’s Tripper Carleton uses a forehand to return a serve. Photo by Saj Guevara

Nora Berry fires a shot on goal for the Gators lacrosse team. Photo by Mike Capshaw

Fact: The SEC has won consecutive national championships in baseball, football and men’s indoor track & field.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 41

GOTTA GET YOUR TWEETS! By Mike Capshaw

Gators Tweets of the Month Highlights from Florida football players’ Twitter accounts Florida coach Will Muschamp was asked about his thoughts on his players posting on social media websites during Southeastern Conference Media Days last month. Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher had just banned his players from using Twitter, so Muschamp’s response displayed an open-mindedness contrary to his Seminoles’ counterpart. Muschamp said as long as players don’t embarrass the program or talk about “football business,” he’s fine with it. He cited the First Amendment while pointing out that UF has a service that monitors players’ accounts. “Unfortunately we’ve got some

Jeff Driskel

6 Saturdays till the season starts. We’re gonna surprise people this year.

Jonotthan Harrison

Do I have a tracking device on me or something? Wait I think gville is just that small

Evan Holmes

No woman alive could take my mama’s place

Trip Thurman

Say goodbye to the long hair *clippers turned on* buuuzzzzzzz

Jon Halapio

Goin hammmm in the Kitchen!! Tilapia, Muscles, Shrimps, yellow rice, and crab cakes!!!!!!

knuckleheads here and there that will make poor decisions, put something on there,” Muschamp said. “They don’t understand the ramifications of putting something on there that’s not appropriate and we handle it quickly.” At GatorCountry.com, we were happy to hear that because we’ve been posting “Gators Tweets of the Week” this summer. It’s been so popular we decided to feature it to GC magazine as well. Here is a sampling of tweets from Florida football players over the past month. Players’ names are followed by the name on their accounts.

Leon Orr

I can hear the 90,000 gator fans already and it ain’t even gameday baby ! “I TOLD MY PLUG CATCH ME ON THE TV ! #truuuuuu

Rhaheim Ledbetter

Can’t believe I ran into a FSU fan today on campus... Ready for the season to start.... BEAT FSU... #GATORNATION STAND UP

Jafar Mann @JayRuu3M_UF

Just made a sack wit myself lol I’m number 96 in #Ncaa13

Jon Halapio @Jhalapio67

ESPN just ranked our O line 10th in the SEC. I hope all the players see this!! #GatorNation #GatorFamily #GatorStrong”

Clay Burton @CashBurton88

Ian Silberman @Suupaman77

Tevin Westbrook @ SuperTEv87

Jonotthan Harrison

Stephen Alli @stephen89alli

Gideon Ajagbe @ Giddy25Cheessee

Man vs. Food isnt the best show to watch when you are starving.. #notetoself

Hate having class with a teacher that speaks 4 different languages but not one of them is English... Smh #WhatAreYouSaying

For the longest time when people said Euthanasia I thought they were saying “Youth in Asia”... #IsItJustMe?

Quinton Dunbar @1timeForHarlem

If I were a guard at sandusky’s prison I’d make sure he always has the slickest bar of soap...lol

Dude gets in line behind me at publix and says “gotta get that KOOLAID!!” Lady rings him up, “your total is 27 cents sir” He got one pack

The Ant tht bit me must be a super ant cuz it feel n look like a spider bite lol!!! For weekly updates on Gators Tweets, visit GatorCountry.com.

Heading to Miami pray for me and forget the non believers because we believe in ourselves. #GatorNation

TWEET US TODAY!

42 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Fact: UF is consistently ranked No. 2 in Kiplinger’s “Best Values in Public Colleges” (2010)

POPULAR THREADS By Drew Laing

Best of Gator Country’s forums GatorCountry.com offers 30 different forums to discuss every Gators sport on campus and everything from religion to politics. If it happens in life, it’ll be discussed and debated on Gator Country’s Swamp Gas Forums. Join in on the fun today by logging on to www.gatorcountry.com/swampgas

In this new feature,

we take a look at a few of the more insightful and/or most talked about threads from various forums throughout the Gator Country community. Many of the Swamp Gas forums can be accessed for free, but the premium message boards are where fans can find the hottest debates and juiciest insider information. To access the forums, go to www.gatorcountry.com/swampgas

National Championship Predictions

From the Swamp Gas … Although the Gators football team has struggled over the past two seasons, that doesn’t stop Gator Country members from discussing possible National Championship aspirations over the next few years. As you’ll see, though, not all fans are on the same page. ArtVandelay writes … “Normally I would say yes, but I am not so sure it will happen. I think we will continue to improve, but I am not that optimistic about a National Championship. This is coming from a fan that believes we can win every game we play.” maxgator replies … “Given the vagaries of college football, I think it is impossible to predict whether we will win one. I think the better standard to judge the program by is whether we will reach a level where we can be a consistent contender for the championship. I believe we will have a championship contender defense - and I think we will have it this year. The rest all depends on what happens with the offense, whether the coaches can handle all the intangibles, and whether we get the luck, which is always needed.” Fact: More than 100 undergraduate majors are offered at UF.

Happy Valley is … not so happy anymore

From the Bullgator Den … With the recent reports of Joe Paterno and others covering up Jerry Sandusky’s crimes while at Penn State, college football fans all over the country are getting into the debate of what should happen next to PSU. Some GC members decide to talk it out on our forums. jrz1g8r writes … “I think the whole thing is disgusting but…I wouldn’t advocate the death penalty or even heavy football penalties While this issue clearly involved the football program, it wasn’t traditional cheating for the benefit of the program and it was limited really to the top football guy (and other senior academic administrators) who is now gone in more ways than one. The president of the university is gone and the other guys (AD & VP) involved are gone and up on criminal charges. I think the whole PSU community has suffered enough already.” rajinGator replies … “Lack of institutional control?” sgtfury replies… “No NCAA bylaws violated. PSU will get nothing. Bad publicity and that’s it.” 97g8tr replies … “I’m rather offended that you all are just shrugging and saying ‘meh’. How can this NOT be Lack of institutional control? How is this not cheating? When they chose to cover it up it kept the program functioning at a high level. When they chose to cover it up, they cheated the victims...

The Amazing Spiderman

From The GatorTail Pub … The web slinger is back as the series is started back up again with a brand new cast. Let’s see what some our members thought of the newest adaptation. GatorPrincess8 writes … “This was way darker than the first 3 Spidey’s. I also think Andrew garfield is better than Tobey and I didn’t know how he would do, he makes a better Peter IMHO. They are trying a new, darker, edgier Spiderman with some humor here and there. Martin Sheen and Sally Field were excellent as was Emma Stone and Denis Leary. It was a well cast movie.” bakaduin replies … “I have absolutely no desire to see this movie. I’ve enjoyed the comic book genre of movies overall but I only see so many movies a year and think this was way too soon for a reboot. Tobey Maguire was a quality Spidey so it wasn’t like they were remaking bad movies.” LeafUF replies … “I completely disagree with that statement. Tobey was awful and the movies were bad. He was not Spiderman, never should have been Spiderman and these reboots could not have come quick enough.” GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 43

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

44 GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012

Fact: Since 1990, the SEC has won 140 national team championships for an average of more than six per year.

SCENES FROM THE SWAMP

Fact: Auburn’s BCS National Championship Game win is the SEC’s fifth consecutive football national title.

GATOR COUNTRY | AUG/2012 45

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