The Dandy Dozen Part II: Individual Performances To Remember From The 2010-11 Athletic Year
Thursday, July 14, 2011 | Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Sports are very much like a box of chocolates. At least that's how Forrest Gump's mom might describe the games we play.
You never know what you're going to get.
Right when you think you've got a game figured out, something happens that you didn't see coming. In an instant, everything changes.
That back-and-forth drama is what makes the games so intriguing for most of us. And of course, the people who do whatever it is you didn't expect them to do. They are the ones who make it all happen and give the rest of us something to talk about.
As we continue our look back at the 2010-11 Gator sports calendar, the focus turns to clutch performances. These are 12 performances – ranked in no particular order – that remain fresh in my mind as the best of the year for the Gators.
What individual performances will you remember most from the 2010-11 sports season? You can share your thoughts by clicking here and joining the conversation on the official Facebook page of the Florida Gators.
Without further adieu, here is my list:
Erving Walker's Prayer
Gators guard Erving Walker is known for his range. And we're not talking about his singing ability. It's not that unusual to see the 5-foot-8 Walker pull up from several feet behind the three-point line and launch a shot.
But with the Gators trailing by three at Georgia and the first overtime coming to a close, Walker pulled up from what seemed outside Stegemen Coliseum and hit a 30-foot shot at the buzzer, forcing double overtime.
Walker had missed two free throws near the end of regulation, making his long 3-pointer that much more emphatic. The Bulldogs never had a chance in the second overtime, and the Gators returned home with a 104-91 victory.
Trey Burton's Six Touchdowns
Trey Burton quickly made a name for himself as a versatile newcomer, lining up at quarterback, running back and receiver early in his freshman season.
In a 48-14 win over Kentucky in late September, Burton showed how dangerous he could be by scoring a school-record six touchdowns.
Burton had five rushing touchdowns and caught five passes for 37 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown reception. For good measure, he also completed his first collegiate pass for 42 yards and was named SEC Freshman of the Week for his breakout performance.
Hudson Randall at CWS
The way the game turned out, Gators starter Hudson Randall's performance in Game 1 of the College World Series final against South Carolina was relegated to footnote status.
Randall deserved a much better fate considering the way he pitched in a 2-1 loss to the Gamecocks. At one point, Randall retired 18 of 19 batters and appeared on cruise control to the point where a 1-0 lead seemed safe.
Gamecocks shortstop Peter Mooney drew a lead-off walk to start the eighth, and Randall was in the dugout soon afterward without even a chance to win. Still, it was a brilliant pitching performance (7.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 6 SO, 1 BB) on the game's biggest stage.
Dickerson's Dominance
Gators gymnast Ashan?e Dickerson bounces around the floor with the power of a sledgehammer during her routines. Dickerson's combination of power and grace make her one of Florida's top performers.
She was at her best in January during a dual meet at LSU.
Dickerson swept the event titles, becoming the first Gator to take all five since the 2000 season. Dickerson won the vault, balance beam, floor exercise and all-around competition, and shared the uneven bars title in winning SEC Gymnast of the Week honors.
Zunino's Bat Erupts
Gators catcher Mike Zunino entered his sophomore season with a reputation as a strong defensive player who had room for improvement at the plate.
Zunino must have taken the questions about his hitting ability personal, because he never let up on opposing pitchers on the way to becoming SEC Player of the Year.
Zunino had several memorable games and more important performances, but the one that stands out to me is a two-homer, seven-RBI game in early May against Bethune-Cookman. The seven RBI were the most by any Gator during the season and solidified Zunino's status as one of college baseball's most dangerous offensive players.
Cullen Rises to Occasion
By the time traditional power and No. 2-ranked Northwestern came to town, Gators lacrosse player Kitty Cullen was leading the nation in goals scored.
Of course, the tradition-rich Wildcats provided a unique challenge for the upstart Gators and had shutting down Cullen at the top of their to-do list.
Hmm, that didn't go so well. Cullen scored six goals in the Gators' 13-11 victory and was named National Player of the Week by WomensLax.com.
Parsons Reaches New Level
If there was one game that perhaps elevated Chandler Parsons into serious discussion for SEC Player of the Year honors, it was at home against Kentucky before a national TV audience on ESPN.
Parsons was everywhere that night against the Wildcats, leading the Gators to a 70-68 victory over the No. 10 Wildcats before a packed house at the O'Connell Center.
Parsons finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and five assists to make a strong case that he should be considered for the league's top individual award. A few weeks later Parsons became the first Gator to ever be named the SEC's top player.
Barney's Blast at FSU
The Gators soccer team needed offense and McKenzie Barney provided it regularly throughout the season.
One goal she won't forget came at No. 10 FSU in early September.
The Gators and Seminoles headed to overtime tied at 1. But before the players could barely work up a sweat in the extra session, Barney scored the golden goal just 15 seconds into overtime for a 2-1 win over the Noles.
Barney's score was the quickest goal in school history after a kickoff, edging one by former UF All-American Abby Wambach at Ole Miss in 2000 by four seconds.
Dwyer Shines at SEC
Gators swimmer Conor Dwyer is someone that we'll probably be hearing about a lot in the next year heading into the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
He is that good. Dwyer showed how good at the SEC Swimming Meet at the O'Connell Center when he was named SEC Male Swimmer of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Dwyer won five SEC titles and broke four SEC records at the meet. His performance was so impressive that he earned the cover of Swimming World Magazine in March.
Echavarria's Excellent Adventure
Gators golfer Andres Echavarria had already won an SEC Tournament individual title when he teed off at the NCAA Southeast Regional in Ocala in May.
By most standards, his season was already a huge success. But Echavarria may have been at his best over three days at the Ocala Golf Club, helping the Gators beat defending national champion Augusta State and the rest of the field to advance to the NCAA Championships.
Echavarria shot all three rounds under-par to finish 9-under for the tournament, finishing one shot behind three players for the individual title. Echavarria was a model of consistency, finishing in the top 20 of every tournament he played in heading into the NCAA Finals.
Horn's Historic Feat
Gators junior decathlete Gray Horn arrived in Athens, Ga., for the SEC Outdoor Championships seeking to do something rare in the sport's history.
Horn was trying to become just the second person in SEC history to win three consecutive league decathlon titles. Mission accomplished.
Horn not only won, he set a school record for points (7,828) to join LSU's Claston Bernard as the only other athlete in SEC history to win three decathlon titles.
Lendl's Late Heroics
The Gators women's golf team faced a daunting task at the NCAA East Regional in May. The Gators entered the final round in eighth place. Only the top eight teams advanced to the NCAA meet.
Enter Isabelle Lendl, whose clutch performance in the final round ensured the Gators a trip to the NCAA Finals.
Lendl shot a 4-under-par 68 in the final round – a school-record round for a regional – to lift Florida to a spot in the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2008.
