Football
Shane Beamer's South Carolina Football Team: A Winning Streak and Bowl Projections
2024-11-18
Shane Beamer's South Carolina football team has been making waves with its recent performances. Currently standing at 7-3 (and 5-3 in conference play), the Gamecocks have won four games in a row and achieved a winning record in SEC play for the first time since 2017. This remarkable streak has not only boosted the team's confidence but also improved the national perception around them.

Gamecocks' Recent Wins and Records

The most recent win by the Gamecocks was a wild affair that ended with a Rocket Sanders touchdown and a subsequent celebration that registered as an earthquake on seismographs. This victory finally broke a five-game losing streak in the Mayor's Cup and saw the team emerge victorious. The win streak, which includes three straight ranked wins, has been a turning point for the team.The national perception of South Carolina is on the rise, and this is reflected in the bowl season projections. ESPN's Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura both picked the Reliquest Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl) as the Gamecocks' winter destination. However, their predicted opponents have changed this week. Schlabach now thinks the Gamecocks will play Iowa, while Bonagura foresaw a meeting with Illinois. South Carolina has never played Illinois before but has faced Iowa once previously.CBS analyst Jerry Palm, who was late to recognize South Carolina as a bowl team, now projects USC to play against the Louisville Cardinals in the Gator Bowl. The Gamecocks have a history of playing in the Gator Bowl, with their most recent trip resulting in a 2022 loss to Notre Dame. They also lost three times in the 1980s. Despite being old Metro Conference rivals in basketball, South Carolina and Louisville have never met on the football field.Steve Lassan of The Athletic projected the Gamecocks to the Reliquest Bowl. The Tampa-based postseason contest has hosted USC five times before. In his view, the 2024 South Carolina football squad will face the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Reliaquest Bowl. Although Carolina is 4-1 in previous Reliaquest/Outback Bowls, their only loss in the game came to Iowa in 2008.Brett McMurphy of the Action Network also believes South Carolina will end up in Tampa playing the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Reliaquest Bowl.

Upcoming In-State Battle

Now with seven wins and likely at least one more remaining, South Carolina football fans are excited about their team's bowl prospects. Next up for the Gamecocks is an in-state battle against the FCS Wofford Terriers. The Terriers will make the drive down I-26 to Columbia for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff. ESPN+ and SEC Network+ will stream the game as it is not available on traditional television. This is another opportunity for the Gamecocks to showcase their skills and build on their winning momentum.The South Carolina football team has come a long way this season, and with each win, their chances of a successful bowl game and even a potential College Football Playoff berth are improving. Fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the team's story.
Nelly Korda's Spectacular Victory and Family Bond
2024-11-17
Nelly Korda's latest triumph at the Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican holds a special place. Not only did she secure her seventh victory of the season, but her younger brother, tennis professional Sebastian, was present to witness her close out the win. This moment was truly remarkable.

Family's Support Shines in Nelly Korda's Victory

Victory on the Golf Course

Korda showcased a masterclass on the back nine at Pelican Golf Club in Florida. With a run of five birdies in a row, she managed to outshine the challenges posed by Charley Hull, Im Jin Hee, and Weiwei Zhang by three shots, claiming her 14th LPGA Tour title. It was a display of her exceptional golfing skills.After the win, she revealed a heartwarming story. She had no idea her sibling was there until she saw him at the end of her round. She said, "I didn't know he was there on the last three. Just saw him on 18 when I made that last putt. Never won in front of him but family is so important to me. For him to drive up – it's not that close from my parents' house, an hour and 40. For him to drive an hour 40 with three holes remaining, one, he was very confident in me, and, two, just really nice to have his support and be out here. We haven't seen each other since the middle of summer, and to hug him, it was really, really nice."She added, "After I walked off the green I greeted him and he gave me a massive hug. We talked about him coming out but I didn't think he was going to just because he hasn't been home in a long time and probably wanted to spend a little time at home and didn't want to drive over an hour."

Family's Impact

Sebastian, who reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of 15th in August, was full of praise for his sister. He said, "Yeah, it's pretty cool to watch her do her thing. She's done so well this year; worked unbelievably hard. She's gone through a lot of things and always comes back fighting and has just gotten back to work. That's one of the most things I admire about her is just how hard of a worker she is. She's just overall an amazing athlete."He also revealed that his support for Nelly is reciprocated. "She watches almost all my matches whether I'm playing in Australia, Asia," he said. "She's always texting me and watching me."Nelly also cheered on Sebastian during his second-round US Open tennis match in August when he lost in straight sets to Tomas Machac.Following a T2 at The British Open, Nelly Korda spent some time at Flushing Meadows cheering brother Seb Korda on at The US Open. He plays his 2nd round matchup shortly this morning. [@NellyKorda ] Instagram story.The Kordas are a famous sporting family. Besides Sebastian and Nelly, sister Jessica is also an LPGA Tour star, while dad Petr and mom Regina Rajchrtova, who were also in attendance, are former tennis pros.Sebastian revealed Nelly's support extends to the whole family. He said, "I couldn't ask for more as a sister. The amount of support and love she gives to all of us, just an incredible person and just really love watching her do her thing."Even though Sebastian, who caddied for Nelly at the 2021 PNC Championship, finally witnessed his sister winning an event, he admitted that he had arrived at the course late. "I came for the last three holes," he said. "I flew in late so a little rough. Just happy to be here and watch her win."He also praised Nelly's work ethic, adding, "She's absolutely fierce. She's clutch. There is no one I guess works harder than her. She's an incredible hard worker and all that she achieves she earns. Just a lot of fun to watch her do her thing."
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A Tennis Journey: From UCF to FGCU to UF
2024-11-18
JanMagnus Johnson's college tennis career is a remarkable tale of perseverance and adaptability. After starting at UCF, facing challenges and setbacks due to adjusting to college life and the COVID-19 pandemic, he transferred to FGCU. There, his talents truly flourished as he earned numerous accolades, including being named the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year. His hard work and dedication both on and off the court were evident.

A Three-School Tennis Journey with Uncommon Success

UCF: The Initial Chapter

JanMagnus Johnson's collegiate journey began at UCF. However, his first semester was a time of adjustment as he struggled to find his footing. The pressure to perform on the court was intense, making it difficult to achieve the results he desired. But UCF still felt like a great fit, despite the initial challenges.During his short time with the Knights men's tennis team in Spring 2020, he showed promise. But just as he was getting started, the season was abruptly ended by the COVID-19 pandemic. This setback forced him to reevaluate his path and look for new opportunities.

FGCU: A New Beginning

After the uncertainty of the pandemic, Johnson chose to transfer to Florida Gulf Coast University. This decision brought him closer to his hometown of Cape Coral, Florida. At FGCU, he found a different environment where he was cared about as a person first. The focus was on growth and development rather than just on results.During his redshirt freshman season at FGCU, his talents truly shone. He was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year and selected to the ASUN All-Freshman Team. Competing in all 14 matches, he had an impressive 9-3 singles record and a 7-4 doubles record.

UF: The Dream Come True

Today, Johnson is pursuing a master's degree in sports management with a focus on athlete development at UF. His arrival at Florida didn't come easily, as he faced an injury that sidelined him for most of his first season. But he embraced a new leadership role, serving as a mentor and coach for younger players.Johnson's long-time dream of playing for Florida has finally come true. He grew up loving the Gators and is now fulfilling his goal of finishing his college tennis career as a Gator. His journey is a testament to his work ethic and determination.Contact Carston Handy at chandy@alligator.org. Follow Carston on X @carston_handy.The Independent Florida Alligator has been independent of the university since 1971, your donation today could help #SaveStudentNewsrooms. Please consider giving today.Carston Handy is a junior journalism major with a focus in sports and media. Fall 2024 marks his first semester reporting sports with the Alligator. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his fiancé and their dog. He also enjoys playing a bunch of sports, including pickleball, basketball and soccer.
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