2017 Iron Gator Challenge Is Underway
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 | Baseball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The defending national champions are hard at work preparing for the 2018 season. As is customary for the Gators, the team's annual Iron Gator Competition is in full swing.
The program is a six-week competition designed to test the players physically and mentally as they prepare for the start of fall practice.
The program is coordinated by Strength & Conditioning Coach Paul Chandler.
"These guys have come back ready to work," said Chandler. "This offseason, we've focused on the message to make 'team choices' in everything we do, on and off the field. In the classroom, in the weight room and when they're on their own."
The Iron Gator Challenge is divided into four teams, each led by a team captain. The four captains held a draft to choose the members of their respective teams. Not only will the teams compete against one another, but pitchers will compete against pitchers and position players will face off against other position players.
At the end of the six weeks, there will be an overall team winner, as well as pitcher and position player winners.
The team captains for 2017 are senior Nick Horvath, junior Jonathan India, senior JJ Schwarz and junior Brady Singer.
Team Horvath: Andrew Baker, Austin Bodrato, Jackson Kowar, Nick Long, Cole Maye, Hunter McMullen, Garrett Milchin, Blake Reese
Team India: Michael Byrne, Connor Churchill, Wil Dalton, Jack Leftwich, Billy McKay, Kirby McMullen, Hunter Ruth, Shane Shifflett, Brady Smith
Team Schwarz: Jake Barrett, Keenan Bell, Jordan Butler, Jose Cicarello, Felix Garcia, Austin Langworthy, Deacon Liput, Tommy Mace
Team Singer: Nick Blasucci, Tyler Dyson, Jonah Girand, Colton Gordon-Zimring, Cal Greenfield, Nelson Maldonado, Brady McConnell, Cam Weinberg
For all of the latest information on Florida baseball, log on to FloridaGators.com/baseball or follow us on Twitter (@GatorsBB).
Pitcher – MacGregor Hines
Position Player – Mark Kolozsvary
2015
Pitcher – Logan Shore
Position Player – Buddy Reed
2014
Pitcher – Shaun Anderson
Position Player – Josh Tobias
2013
Pitcher – Brett Morales
Position Player – Harrison Bader
2012
No competition held
2011
Pitcher – Jonathon Crawford
Position Player – Nolan Fontana
2010
Pitcher – Justin Poovey
Position Player – Kamm Washington
2009
Pitcher – Kevin Chapman
Position Player – Matt den Dekker
2008
Pitcher – Tony Davis
Position Player – Jonathan Pigott
2007
Pitcher – Tony Davis
Position Player – Avery Barnes
2006
Pitcher – Tony Davis
Position Player – Avery Barnes
2005
Pitcher – Darren O'Day
Position Player – Chris Woods
The program is a six-week competition designed to test the players physically and mentally as they prepare for the start of fall practice.
The program is coordinated by Strength & Conditioning Coach Paul Chandler.
"These guys have come back ready to work," said Chandler. "This offseason, we've focused on the message to make 'team choices' in everything we do, on and off the field. In the classroom, in the weight room and when they're on their own."
The Iron Gator Challenge is divided into four teams, each led by a team captain. The four captains held a draft to choose the members of their respective teams. Not only will the teams compete against one another, but pitchers will compete against pitchers and position players will face off against other position players.
At the end of the six weeks, there will be an overall team winner, as well as pitcher and position player winners.
The team captains for 2017 are senior Nick Horvath, junior Jonathan India, senior JJ Schwarz and junior Brady Singer.
Team Horvath: Andrew Baker, Austin Bodrato, Jackson Kowar, Nick Long, Cole Maye, Hunter McMullen, Garrett Milchin, Blake Reese
Team India: Michael Byrne, Connor Churchill, Wil Dalton, Jack Leftwich, Billy McKay, Kirby McMullen, Hunter Ruth, Shane Shifflett, Brady Smith
Team Schwarz: Jake Barrett, Keenan Bell, Jordan Butler, Jose Cicarello, Felix Garcia, Austin Langworthy, Deacon Liput, Tommy Mace
Team Singer: Nick Blasucci, Tyler Dyson, Jonah Girand, Colton Gordon-Zimring, Cal Greenfield, Nelson Maldonado, Brady McConnell, Cam Weinberg
For all of the latest information on Florida baseball, log on to FloridaGators.com/baseball or follow us on Twitter (@GatorsBB).
Past Iron Gator Challenge Winners
2016Pitcher – MacGregor Hines
Position Player – Mark Kolozsvary
2015
Pitcher – Logan Shore
Position Player – Buddy Reed
2014
Pitcher – Shaun Anderson
Position Player – Josh Tobias
2013
Pitcher – Brett Morales
Position Player – Harrison Bader
2012
No competition held
2011
Pitcher – Jonathon Crawford
Position Player – Nolan Fontana
2010
Pitcher – Justin Poovey
Position Player – Kamm Washington
2009
Pitcher – Kevin Chapman
Position Player – Matt den Dekker
2008
Pitcher – Tony Davis
Position Player – Jonathan Pigott
2007
Pitcher – Tony Davis
Position Player – Avery Barnes
2006
Pitcher – Tony Davis
Position Player – Avery Barnes
2005
Pitcher – Darren O'Day
Position Player – Chris Woods
Players Mentioned
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RHP
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OF/RHP
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INF/RHP
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OF
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INF/OF
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C/1B
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RHP
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RHP
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RHP
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