January 14, 2019 by The Independent Florida Alligator

www.alligator.org

We Inform. You Decide.

VOLUME 113 ISSUE 46

MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

Not officially associated with the University of Florida

GYMNASTICS

Gators show depth in decisive victory over Missouri By River Wells Sports Writer

The Florida gymnastics team is ranked No. 3 in the nation, and last Friday night, it showed why. The team defeated the No. 11 Missouri Tigers 197.300-196.450, an opponent that bested

it last year. It was a showing that wasn’t as close as the score would indicate. That was without last year’s superstar Alyssa Baumann or rotation regular Jazmyn Foberg. Friday’s event at the O’Connell Center presented a few questions surrounding their new squad in 2019 and, perhaps, answered a ques-

tion about one of the team’s returning members. Freshmen Jitters As the Gators headed into the O’Connell Center for the team’s ﬁrst meet — a meet that just under 8,500 fans attended — their unusually large freshman class of six gymnasts got

its ﬁrst taste of competition at the NCAA level, and it handled the bright lights well. Freshman Trinity Thomas served as one of the Gators’ three all-arounders for the night, and she performed admirably in the role. She posted a relatively lower score of 9.775 on the vault, but she redeemed herself with a 9.950

SEE GYMNASTICS, PAGE 14

Interim city manager to be decided Thursday Three candidates applied for the position. By Taylor Girtman Alligator Staff Writer

The Gainesville City Commission is on a tight deadline to select an interim city manager. Thursday is the selection deadline as City Manager Anthony Lyons’ resignation becomes effective at 5 p.m., Commissioner David Arreola said. If no decision is made, the commission will appoint someone as acting manager instead. Lyons had sent in his letter of resignation on Dec. 11 after citizen complaints during a city commis-

Chris Day / Alligator Staff

Hillary Buscovick, a 31-year-old professional roller derby skater, works with Lizz Zieschang, 28, to demonstrate blocking techniques at a workshop for local skaters at the Alachua County Fairgrounds on Saturday. “I want every skater and athlete to be the best they can be,” Buscovick said. Buscovick, who goes by Scald Eagle when playing, has played competitively since 2011 and currently plays for the Denver Roller Derby Mile High Club team. Read the story on page 8.

sion meeting. Deborah Bowie, Michelle Park and Steve Varvel are the candidates for the position, Arreola said. All three candidates are current city employees. On Dec. 18, the position opened to city employees for ﬁve days, said Lisa Jefferson, the city’s director of human resources, at the Jan. 3 City

Commission meeting. Bowie, 48, and Varvel, 55, applied. At that commission meeting, commissioners voiced concern for the short application period. After a 7-0 vote, they chose to extend the period for ﬁve days, which is when Park applied. “For the interim manager, I want someone that’s going to be a steady hand on the wheel of the ship,” Arreola said. In 2013, Bowie moved to Gainesville from Georgia in search of a better education for her son, she said. In May, she became the chief of staff for the city manager. In Georgia and Alabama, she worked in high-level city positions. Bowie said the interim city manager should focus on government operations and empowering people rather than focusing on personal priorities. “Sometimes when people

SEE CITY MANAGER, PAGE 4

UF’s CWC introduces therapy group for men of color THE GROUP ENCOURAGES MEN TO FEEL COMFORTABLE SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. By Taylor Roth Alligator Staff Writer

A UF therapy group exclusively for men of color is looking to challenge how mental illness is

stigmatized in African American communities. Addressing mental health can be a difficult topic for college students, but seeking treatment for anxiety and depression is especially difficult for men of color, said Jennifer Martin, the group coordinator at the UF Counseling & Wellness Center. “Social stigmas and financial barriers often prevent minority

Gators win on last-second basket

Guard Delicia Washington lifted the UF women’s basketball team to victory over Missouri with a game-winning layup, pg. 15.

men from getting the help they need to improve their mental state,” Martin said. The center is starting “Men of Color at UF,” its ﬁrst therapy group targeted toward men of color, this semester on Tuesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. at the center, Martin said. There is no scheduled starting date until spots ﬁll up. The center is encouraging stu-

Helping dogs with heart problems

dents to sign up to ﬁll about 10 spots. It is part of the “Understanding Self and Others” project, an initiative created by the center that promotes group therapy sessions for struggling students, Martin said. Topics to discuss at the sessions will be centered around the individual needs of the students, Martin said. “Meeting in groups to discuss

UF veterinarians can now perform open heart surgery on dogs, pg. 5

A UF satellite is above us

A satellite made by UF students is up in space, pg. 9

mental health provides students with support from others experiencing the same problems,” Martin said. “This gives them a base that is not only helpful but comfortable to talk about their concerns.” Jennifer Stuart, a counselor at the center, said one of the greatest beneﬁts of the “Men of Color at UF” group is how often mem-

SEE CWC, PAGE 4