FL University's Sports Season (2013)

Bella Riccitelli

Staff Writer

     Universities throughout the state of Florida experienced lots of success this past season. During the 2013 season, schools such as Florida State University(FSU,) University of Central Florida(UCF) and University of Miami(UM) underwent loads of success.

Jameis Winston winning Heisman award

     FSU had lots of joy and pride flowing through their campus this year. One specific talented athlete is Jameis Winston. Winston, quarterback, won the Heisman Trophy Award. This college freshman also helped bring his team to the national championships. He also won the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) against the Auburn Tigers in early Jan. Although facing scandalous accusations this year, Winston is obviously not phased and continues to rise as a football player.

     Another noted athlete is Yashira “Cheetah” Delgado. This FSU senior is a guard for the women's basketball team and a talented one at that. Delgado is also named one out of 29 candidates for the Lieberman Award. Just standing 5’2, Delgado has made a name for herself in college sport history.

     UCF had their share of victories as well during the 2013 season. Attending the BCS bowl for the first time in history, the Knights brought home the winning title for their school against Baylor University. Quarterback Blake Bortles started making his way to the top during the 2013 football season. Bortles accepted a scholarship from UCF back in 2010 and shimmied his way up since then. After becoming a part of the Knights’ football team, Bortles, now a senior, has brought his team the best season to come. He has thrown nine interceptions and collected 25 touchdowns. Bortles has publically announced that he will be entering the 2014 NFL draft.

     Storm Johnson, running back for the Knights, is another football athlete that is making it big. Like his teammate Bortles, Johnson plans to enter the 2014 NFL draft. Johnson, candidate for the Doak Walker Award, has scored 14 touchdowns for his team.

     Football isn’t the only team that made news this past season. The men’s basketball team for UCF competed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the American Athletic Conference. Additionally, both of Michael Jordan’s sons have played basketball at UCF.

     “I was filled with school pride when I attended UCF,” said Cathy Arminio. “I went to every game I could go to, basketball, football, you name it. I’m proud to see that the knights have come so far. They’re really stepping up to the plate in the sports universe.”

     The Miami Hurricanes have gone through an interesting year when it comes to sports. All though their football season this year wasn’t anything to write home about, the Hurricanes of UM still made headlines in the news world.

     Stephen Morris, quarterback, finished his football career by scoring 49 touchdowns and throwing 30 interceptions.

     “I went to UM a few years ago and I loved attending the football games,” said Rachel Hall. “The energy in the stadium during a football game there is incredible. It’s thrilling now, as a graduate, to see UM’s games on TV and to hear about their victories, and even sometimes losses. UM is a good school with amazing athletes."

     Through all of the ups and downs of the 2013 season, UM, FSU and UCF still have hope and pride stored within themselves.

Stephen Morris UM QB:

(Photo taken after a win against UF 21-16)