Florida Gators Bait & Bits: Lacrosse Awards, Pro Gators, 2015 Recruits, and Another #1
By Brett Kaplan
Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Bait & Bits, a series on Hail Florida Hail that will feature one “bait” about an opposing school and some bits about the Florida Gators. Have any links that you want on Bait & Bits? Tweet it at us @HailFloridaHail or @BrettKaplan13 or email it to us at BrettKaplanHFH@gmail.com.
Bait
ALC Teams. Florida’s lacrosse team opens up the American Lacrosse Tournament Friday against either John’s Hopkins or Penn State. The winner between the four-seed Nittany Lions and five-seed Blue Jays will face the Gators Friday in Evanston, Illinois. Florida romped through their conference schedule, going undefeated at 6-0. Those wins included a 13-9 win versus Penn State and a 10-9 win at John’s Hopkins. If Florida wins Friday, they would face the winner of the other semifinal game for the ALC Championship.
Bits
Lacrosse Picks Up Tons of Awards. It’s almost expected that a team that goes undefeated in conference play should pick up many awards. That’s why it should come as no surprise that Florida picked up three big ALC awards. Head coach Amanda O’Leary was named the ALC Coach of the Year after going a perfect 6-0 in conference and 15-2 overall. Those two losses came at top-ranked North Carolina and at second-ranked Syracuse. Shannon Gilroy was named ALC Midfielder of the Year and deservedly so. Gilroy led the NCAA in goals with 75 and was second in points with 91. She set or tied 9 UF records and led the Gators assists (16), caused turnovers (23) and draw controls (72). Sammi Burgess picked up the ALC Rookie of the Year honors after a fantastic freshman campaign. Burgess notched 45 points, good for second on the Gators, scoring 31 goals and 14 assists. She also won Rookie of the Week honors three times. Nora Barry joins Gilroy on the ALC First Team, while Caroline Fitzgerald and Burgess were named ALC Second Team. (GatorZone)
Dominique Easley, First Rounder? That’s what may happen. Apparently a couple of top scouts have believe Easley will go in the first round, something that would surprise many since he’s coming from a torn ACL. (Andrew Melnick, FanSided)
It’s Been a Relatively Quiet Spring for Will Muschamp. In his first three spring’s, Will Muschamp has had to deal with issues. This spring, however, the only headache he’s faced is the impending transfer of Marqui Hawkins. Other than that, it’s been so far, so good for Muschamp. (David Jones, Florida Today)
Preston Tucker Impressing Houston Astros Organization. Our FanSided Houston Astros affiliate Climbing Tal’s Hill profiled former Florida OF/DH Preston Tucker and marked him as a name Astros fans should know. Despite Houston having a deep farm system, Tucker’s starting to make a name for himself. (Kennon Riley, Climbing Tal’s Hill)
Alex Tyus Finding Success Across the Atlantic. Former Florida PF Alex Tyus, who played at UF between 2007-11, has played for Maccabi Tel Aviv ever since graduating. This season, his team reached the Final Four of the Israeli Basketball Super League and Tyus was a big reason why. He was named the Euroleague MVP in April. Best of luck to Tyus and his adventure across seas. (Scott Carter, GatorZone)
More on Sleeper Jalen Julius. Jalen Julius became the seventh commitment of the 2015 recruiting class and he’s excited to be a Florida Gators. Fansided took a look at Julius as well. (Andrew Melnick, FanSided)
KeVaughn Allen a “Recruiting Marvel”. After 2015 SG KeVaughn Allen spurned his home state Arkansas Razorbacks, our friends at Busting Brackets took a look at him, going as far as to say Allen is a “recruiting marvel”. (Joseph Nardone, Busting Brackets)
Florida Gains Top Ranking for Outdoor Track & Field Season. Florida is the defending outdoor track & field national champions and now their in good position to repeat. According to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Poll, the Gators are number one again after a one week absence. (NCAA)
Tennis to Host First and Second Rounds. Both Florida’s men’s and women’s tennis teams will host the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Tournament at Linder Stadium at Ring Tennis Complex. The Gators will welcome Oklahoma State, South Florida, and South Carolina State for the women’s side and Florida State, South Florida, and St. John’s on the men’s side. (GatorZone)
Three Gators to Compete in NCAA Doubles and Singles Championship. Florent Diep earned a spot in the 64-player NCAA Singles Tournament and Elliot Orkin & Gordon Watson will compete in the 32-player NCAA Doubles Tournament. The individual competition will take place May 21-26 at the Dan Magill Tennis Complex in Athens, GA. (GatorZone)
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