Florida Sports Wire

JACKSONVILLE – North Florida Women's Basketball junior guard Alonya Waldon has been recognized as ASUN Newcomer of the Week on Monday. "Alonya [Waldon] has been a difference-maker for our team all season. Whether she is scoring 25 plus, taking five charges, getting to the free throw line or hitting a game-winning shot, our opponents have to key in on her," Head Coach Erika Lambert said. "Alonya is a tough competitor, and I'm thrilled that she is being recognized for her impact this week!" Waldon posted 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals on 52.0 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three and 86.7 percent from the free-throw line in 28.1 minutes per game for North Florida in the latest stretch.  She notched a career-high 27 points, four rebounds and three assists on 7-16 from the field, 3-8 from three and 10-11 from the free-throw line in 31 minutes off the bench at Stetson on Feb. 19. For Waldon, it marked her fourth game this season ...

JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Sharks announced three new additions to the Tank for the 2026 season. QB Sammy Edwards, DB Robert Jones III and DL/LB Brice Bass arrive in Jacksonville ready to make an instant impact on the field. Edwards (6'2, 195 lbs.) spent all four years of his collegiate career at Valdosta State, where he accumulated 4,662 total yards, 66 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs in 613 total plays. In his junior season, Edwards established himself among Division II's elite, finishing second in the nation with 4,223 passing yards (just three shy of Valdosta State's single-season mark) and playing a central role in the Blazers' Gulf South Conference title and NCAA DII playoff run. For his efforts, Edwards was named Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and VSU Male Athlete of the Year. Known for his accurate arm and ability to make plays with his feet, Edwards is expected to add a dynamic element to the Sharks' offense. Jones III (6'0 190 l...

JACKSONVILLE – Sporting Club Jacksonville (Sporting JAX) announced the adjustment of the kickoff time for their inaugural men’s USL Championship match taking place on Saturday, March 7. The match against Hartford Athletic, which was originally slotted for a 3 p.m. kickoff time, now has a scheduled kickoff of 7:30 p.m. This time change allows Sporting JAX to start its inaugural season in the USL Championship under the lights at Hodges Stadium, giving the historic occasion a true primetime feel. “We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now will wait a few extra hours for the new nighttime start,” said Sporting JAX President and CEO Steve Livingstone. “Having this match kick off under the lights will make for a special atmosphere as we write the newest chapter of professional soccer history on the First Coast.” Fans can find upcoming match details and ticket information at sportingjax.com, and can stay connected with the latest news, matchday updates, and behind-the-scene...

  ARLINGTON, TEXAS – The United Football League today kicked off – United We – the UFL’s league-wide promotional campaign to rally fans and communities as the league’s eight teams head towards the new season that starts on Friday, March 27.  Designed to ignite and inspire team fandom, United We emphasizes the unique communal spirit of the UFL. While United is at the core brand identity, it also represents the true value of the league. The campaign unites fans by bringing them closer to game from the huddle to the play on the field to the enthusiasm in the stands to the dynamic television broadcasts. It embodies the unifying quality of the UFL, which is bringing new excitement to the game of football through new teams, new cities, new coaches, new rules, and new stadiums.  In addition, the word – We – represents the other aspect of the campaign by connecting fans to the broader UFL family. Each national spot will be tagged with We Are The United Football League, punctuati...

  AUGUSTA, Ga. – Flagler College's Ava Matthews was selected as the Peach Belt Conference's Freshman of the Week for the period ending February 22, as released by conference officials. The Sanford, Florida native appeared in two of Flagler's three games last week and posted a 1-0 record with a 2.10 earned run average. She retired nine of the last 11 batters she faced.  Matthews received her first win against No. 6 (NFCA Division II Top 25) Francis Marion University as she tossed four scoreless innings and allowed one hit in a 9-3 win. In her next appearance, Matthews came in to finish their second game against Francis Marion. She allowed two runs on five hits in 2.2 innings in a 3-0 loss. Matthews is eighth in the Peach Belt in strikeouts with 17 and is sixth in strikeouts looking (8) Flagler heads to Savannah State University for a doubleheader Wednesday at 2 p.m.

    Jimmie Johnson Jimmie Johnson: 2027 Daytona 500 will be his final NASCAR race DAYTONA BEACH – Jimmie Johnson isn’t going away, but the countdown clock started ticking the moment he climbed out of his No. 84 Toyota Sunday at the Daytona International Speedway. He has nothing more to prove. He’s tied with Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt with a record seven NASCAR Cup Series Championships. He walked away as a full-time driver after the 2020 season. He tinkered with IndyCars, selected NASCAR starts and the 24 Hours of LeMans. But as a co-owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, he’s decided his time is more valuable in the shop and boardroom. That’s why he announced next year’s Daytona 500 will be his last. “I didn't use the word retirement way back when in 2020,” Johnson said. “I still love to compete and want to be on the track and racing. The journey as an owner, and certainly where I am in life right now, to compete at the Cup level, week in and week out, is just a door that's...

  Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images-NASCAR Six-time NBA Champion and Co-Car Owner Michael Jordan and driver Tyler Reddick hold the Harley J. Earl Trophy after Reddick passed Chase Elliott 150 yards short of the finish line to win Sunday's Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. Victory makes NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordon Championship Car Owner   DAYTONA BEACH – Wildfires burned out of control four miles south of the Daytona International Speedway at the end of Sunday’s Daytona 500. They were so bad, the Florida Highway Patrol closed a portion of Interstate 95. North of I-95, a line of severe weather was moving closer with lightning, rain and high winds. But it was nothing in comparison to the storm brewing in the closing laps of the Great American Race. Twenty-five cars were wadded in a three- and four-wide scrum for a victory in the biggest stock car race in the world, each jockeying like lottery ping pong balls for last-lap run to the finish line. ...