Florida Gators Reflect on a Championship Year as Baton Pass in Eugene Marks End of 2025 Collegiate Sports Season in Style
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When the final baton was passed earlier this month in Eugene, Oregon, it again signaled the end of the collegiate sports calendar. But for the University of Florida, it wasn’t merely the end of another season—it was the exclamation point on a year that continued to affirm the Gators’ place among the elite of college athletics.
Held at the iconic Hayward Field during the NCAA Track and Field Championships, the final leg of the 4×400-meter relay brought down the curtain on the 2024–25 college sports season. It was a symbolic moment: the literal passing of a baton at one of the most prestigious meets in collegiate athletics, and for Florida, it was both the end and a reminder of all they had accomplished throughout a year of championship dreams, gritty performances, and program-defining victories.
From SEC titles to national championship showings, All-Americans to freshmen phenoms, the Gators found success across nearly every sport. Whether on the track, the diamond, the court, or in the pool, Florida’s student-athletes represented the program’s rich tradition of excellence with consistency, class, and passion.
Under the direction of head coach Mike Holloway, the Gators’ track and field program continued to thrive on both the men’s and women’s sides. Florida once again placed among the top national contenders at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, with multiple individual national titles and relay squads reaching the podium.
The men’s 4×400 team that closed out the meet with a top-three finish was emblematic of the strength and depth Florida continues to build. Sprinters like Robert Gregory, Jevaughn Powell, and Dominic James turned heads with consistent sub-45 splits, while the women’s team featured NCAA champion performances from hurdlers and jumpers who made their mark on the national stage.
What’s most impressive is that Florida continues to reload year after year, with underclassmen stepping into starring roles. Holloway, who also serves as the head coach for Team USA’s sprints, has created a dynasty that shows no signs of slowing down.
The Florida baseball team faced a challenging schedule but once again proved its mettle by making a deep postseason push. Kevin O’Sullivan’s squad overcame injuries and midseason struggles to rally late and punch their ticket to NCAA Regionals, where they stunned a higher-seeded host and advanced to the Super Regionals.
Though they ultimately fell short of Omaha, the late-season heroics from players like Jac Caglianone, Colby Shelton, and Luke Heyman reminded fans why the Gators are perennially considered a national threat. Caglianone, who wrapped up his college career this spring, leaves behind a legacy as one of the most feared hitters in the nation, while Shelton and Heyman are poised to lead the next generation of Gators.
Even in a season filled with ups and downs, Florida baseball displayed the resilience and resolve that has defined the program for over a decade.
Led by Olympic gold medalist Trinity Thomas in recent years, Florida gymnastics continued its tradition of excellence in 2025, with a new cast of stars stepping up in her absence. The Gators finished as runners-up at the NCAA Championships, narrowly missing out on the national title after an incredibly tight competition in Fort Worth.
Freshman phenom Avery Cunningham captured individual glory with a perfect 10 on floor exercise during the semifinals and was later named SEC Freshman of the Year. Veterans like Sloane Blakely and Ellie Lazzari provided the consistency needed to guide a talented squad through the rigors of an intense schedule.
With another top-three finish and record-breaking attendance at home meets in Exactech Arena, Florida gymnastics remains one of the program’s brightest lights, both in terms of athletic success and fan engagement.
Men’s basketball took encouraging steps forward under head coach Todd Golden, as the Gators returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years. Led by transfer guard Riley Kugel and freshman standout Max Green, Florida captured 22 wins and reasserted itself as a rising force in the SEC.
Though the team bowed out in the second round, the future looks bright. Golden has landed a strong recruiting class and utilized the transfer portal effectively to fill key gaps. With more continuity and experience heading into next season, the Gators could be poised for an even deeper March run.
On the women’s side, head coach Kelly Rae Finley’s group continued to fight through a transitional period, developing young talent and staying competitive in one of the country’s toughest conferences. With a young core gaining experience, expectations are rising for the 2025–26 season.
Florida’s dominance in the pool remained strong this year, with the men’s swimming and diving team capturing its 12th consecutive SEC Championship and finishing second nationally. Olympians and international medalists like Josh Liendo and Julian Smith led the way, while several freshmen made immediate impacts.
The women’s team also continued to make progress under head coach Anthony Nesty, who now splits time with U.S. Olympic coaching duties. With several All-American finishes and a top-ten national placement, the Gators reaffirmed their position as one of the best-rounded aquatics programs in the country.
Nesty’s influence continues to elevate both programs, and with the 2025 World Championships and 2026 Olympics on the horizon, Florida’s presence on international podiums is only set to grow.
Florida softball showed grit throughout the 2025 season, finishing strong in SEC play and advancing to the Super Regionals. Head coach Tim Walton leaned on a young core that included breakout stars like freshman pitcher Kira Samuels and slugger Maddie Wilcox.
Though the Gators fell short of returning to the Women’s College World Series, the foundation laid this year could pay massive dividends next spring. With elite recruits set to arrive and key players returning, Florida will once again be a national title contender.
Florida’s tennis and golf programs enjoyed another year of national recognition, with both men’s and women’s teams competing deep into NCAA postseason play.
Men’s golf, in particular, was a standout, with junior phenom Tyler Mathews earning SEC Golfer of the Year honors and leading the Gators to a third-place finish at the national championships.
Meanwhile, Florida soccer continued to rebuild under head coach Samantha Bohon. With a top-five recruiting class set to arrive and strong showings in spring friendlies, there’s genuine optimism for a breakthrough campaign in the fall.
As the dust settles on another collegiate athletic season, it’s clear the University of Florida remains one of the premier athletic institutions in the nation. From track and field dominance to baseball grit, from gymnastics excellence to basketball’s resurgence, the Gators continue to excel across the board.
But what sets Florida apart is more than just wins and trophies. It’s the culture of competitiveness, the investment in student-athletes’ development, and the tradition of striving for greatness in every arena. It’s the thousands of fans packing stadiums and arenas, the alumni proudly representing orange and blue, and the athletes themselves—balancing academics and elite competition with poise and pride.
When that final baton was passed in Eugene, it marked the end of the 2024–25 journey. But it also symbolized a handoff into the future—into the hands of the next generation of Gators who will carry the legacy forward, faster and stronger than ever.
As the University of Florida prepares to open a new chapter this fall, one thing is certain: the Gators aren’t done yet. They’re just getting started.
