12/15 Orange Blue News
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In order to make sure Florida Gators-related news stories don't fall through the cracks, once or twice a week The Silver Lining will take on a "news and notes" format to keep you up-to-date with the latest goings on in the world of University of Florida athletics.
Gator great Ryan Lochte, a five-time Olympic gold medalist who is currently competing at the 2012 FINA World Swimming Championships in Istanbul, set a new world record in the 200 Meter Individual Medley on Friday. Lochte swam the short-course (25m) version of the race in a blazing 1:49.63, besting his own world record by 0.45 seconds and becoming the first athlete in the sport's history to break through the 1:50 plateau. Lochte now holds four world records also posting top times in the 200M I.M. (long course), 400M I.M. (short course) and 4x200 Meter Freestyle Relay (long course). He now has 30 World Championship gold medals and has already captured four in this week's event.
After sitting out three-straight weeks (one of which he was listed as inactive), New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (ribs) may see the field on Sunday. Originally, head coach Rex Ryan said he would be active but held out of special duty, but he had an about-face on Friday and noted that Tebow could play both Wildcat and special teams packages as he had been earlier in the season. "He moved around great. This is the best he's looked in several weeks," Ryan told the New York Daily News. "He moved around that good that we may get him back in similar roles." Ryan admitted earlier in the week on the radio that Tebow is likely "disappointed" that he came to play in New York because of how small of a role he has had so far this season. "In my heart of hearts, I think we all thought there might be more success for him," Ryan told ESPN Radio.
Trustees of the University of Florida last Friday approved a $10 million contribution as part of a renovation or the Stephen C. O'Connell Center that will total approximately $50 million, according to The Gainesville Sun. The renovation, which will feature an updated entrance, new seating areas including a club level and box seats, additional concession stands and team shops, and improved audio-visual elements throughout the arena, is unlikely to begin for a few years as the school still must raise the remaining $40 million for the project. Florida just completed a $900,000 renovation on the structure in the summer of 2011 that included brand new seats in the lower bowl, wider aisles, handrails and more. UF also recently remodeled the gymnastics studio on-site at the O'Dome.
One of the most underrated players in the NBA, Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee is having an absolutely amazing season so far. One of a handful of players in the league currently averaging a double-double, Lee is posting 19.2 points and 11.5 points per game, less than a full point shy of a 20-10 average. He already has 15 double-doubles in 23 contests, nine of which are 20-10 games. Lee has also registered six-straight 20-10 games dating back to Dec. 5 with the Warriors going 5-1 in that span. It is his second six-game streak of double-doubles already this season.
Reggie Nelson of the Cincinnati Bengals raised hell after his team's game last Sunday when he was penalized for a perfectly legal hit that broke up a reception by Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant. Nelson's textbook tackle is exactly like his coaches taught him to hit, he said, and head coach Marvin Lewis agreed with him after reviewing the tape. "I thought it was a great target and probably one that will be on their teaching reel of how to do it," he said, according to Pro Football Talk. "Reggie's done a good job with those things. He was on their teaching reel last year, and I thought that one was picture perfect." Nelson obviously did not receive a fine for his hit when the NFL announced its penalties this week. He should not have been flagged in the game either.
Seven seniors and one redshirt junior football player walked the stage during fall commencement on Saturday. Mike linebacker Jonathan Bostic, wide receiver Frankie Hammond Jr., tight end Omarius Hines, defensive tackle Omar Hunter, Buck LB Lerentee McCray, tackle Matt Patchan, guard Sam Robey and kicker Caleb Sturgis officially got their degrees with Hammond, Hines, Hunter and McCray all finishing their fifth years in Gainesville, FL. Patchan, who still has one year of eligibility remaining, could take graduate classes in 2013 and remain on the team, though many are of the belief that he will probably move on following the Sugar Bowl.