South Florida Local News

Today is Sunday, May 4, the 124th day of 2025. There are 241 days left in the year.

Today in history:

On May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire on student demonstrators during an anti-war protest at Kent State University, killing four students and wounding nine others.

Also on this date:

In 1886, at Haymarket Square in Chicago, a labor demonstration for an 8-hour workday turned into a deadly riot when a bomb exploded, killing seven police officers and at least four civilians.

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In 1904, the United States took over construction of the Panama Canal from France.

In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval clash fought entirely with carrier aircrafts, began in the Pacific during World War II. (The outcome was considered a tactical victory for Japan, but ultimately a strategic victory for the Allies.)

In 1961, the first group of “Freedom Riders” left Washington, D.C., to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals.

In 1998, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was given four life sentences plus 30 years by a federal judge in Sacramento, California, under a plea agreement that spared him the death penalty.

In 2006, a federal judge sentenced Zacarias Moussaoui to life in prison for his role in the 9/11 attacks, telling the convicted terrorist, “You will die with a whimper.”

In 2011, President Barack Obama said he had decided not to release death photos of Osama bin Laden because their graphic nature could incite violence and create national security risks. Officials told The Associated Press that the Navy SEALs who stormed bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan shot and killed him after they saw him appear to reach for a weapon.

In 2023, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and three other members of the far-right extremist group were convicted of a plot to attack the U.S. Capitol in a desperate bid to keep Donald Trump in power after the Republican lost the 2020 presidential election. (Tarrio was later sentenced to 22 years in prison, but was pardoned by Trump on January 20, 2025, the first day of Trump’s second term in office.)

Today’s Birthdays:

• Jazz musician Ron Carter is 88.
• Pulitzer Prize-winning political commentator George Will is 84.
• Actor Richard Jenkins is 78.
• Country singer Randy Travis is 66.
• Comedian Ana Gasteyer is 58.
• Actor Will Arnett is 55.
• Basketball Hall of Famer Dawn Staley is 55.
• Rock musician Mike Dirnt (Green Day) is 53.
• Designer and TV personality Kimora Lee Simmons is 50.
• Sportscaster/TV host Erin Andrews is 47.
• Singer Lance Bass (NSYNC) is 46.
• Actor Ruth Negga is 44.
• Golfer Rory McIlroy is 36.

FORT LAUDERDALE — Admittedly, Diego Salazar said he didn’t have his best game, but he did have the game’s best play — an overtime goal with 3:07 left to give host St. Thomas Aquinas, a 9-8 win over Jupiter in the Class 2A boys regional lacrosse championship on Saturday night.

Salazar, a junior attacker for the nation’s No. 3-ranked Raiders (19-3), used a pick set by fellow junior James Finch, dodged his defender and fired in a shot from 10 yards out for the first game-winning goal of his career.

It was his second goal of the match and gives him 50 for the season. He will try and pad that total when the Raiders play in the final four at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex in Naples on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. when they face Tampa Plant.

“I started out kind of slow and the coaches told me to keep my head up and they inspired me to keep going,” Salazar said. “At first, I looked to try and find James for the shot, but he made such a good pick that I got my hands free and got an overhand shot to the far corner.

“I gave the goalie a look he hadn’t seen yet,” he continued. “I usually shoot high, but I could tell they watched a lot of film on me, so I decided to change it up and it went in.”

Finch, who has a team-leading 66 goals, gave St. Thomas Aquinas a 1-0 lead just one minute in. Jupiter (14-8) answered with goals by Dustin Sluka and David Druhot to take a 2-1 lead. Jack Lancelot scored and Ben Kupstas scored twice as the Raiders took a 4-2 lead. Jupiter battled back to tie it on back-to-back goals by Sawyer Fasano.

The Raiders appeared to go up 9-7 with 2:15 remaining, however Kupstas was whistled for excessive celebration after his goal, which took it off the board, and he had to serve a 2-minute penalty, which allowed Jupiter to tie the contest at 8-8 and force overtime. Kupstas ended up with a game-high three goals, while Vincent Rappold also scored. Jupiter got two goals from Gavin Meyers and Landon Rasmus, while Dustin Sluka, and David Druhot also scored.

“We knew this was going to be a battle,” said Finch, who has committed to Ohio State. “The ball in overtime was supposed to go to me, but David got free and put the ball in the bottom left corner. It was magic.”

Salazar said losing to Lake Mary the past two seasons in the state finals is something the Raiders want to change.

“I haven’t won a state title yet, so I just wanted to give it my all to put us into the state finals,” he said. “This year’s team has great chemistry and the seniors haven’t won a state title yet, and we don’t want it to end until we win one.”

After he scored the game-winner, he turned and ran towards the stands where the baseball team was watching and Salazar celebrated.

“That was my first game winner and it felt amazing,” Salazar said. “I have scored some pretty exciting goals in my career, but that might be number one.”

St. Thomas Aquinas coach Terry Crowley said his team showed grit and found a way to win when they weren’t at their best.

“Jupiter is a well-coached team and they did some different things from the last time we played them,” Crowley said referring to an 8-4 regular-season win. “We know at the beginning of the year that it will come down to this, every single year.”

Jupiter coach Matt Sofarelli said the teams always wind up preparing to play each other.

“They have gotten the better of us the last two years and it stings a little bit,” Sofarelli said. “I think we did a great job tonight coming back from being down 8-5 in the fourth. We have faced adversity both on and off the field. They have been up and down and we showed tonight we could compete with the best in the state.”

Meanwhile, in 1A regional finals, St. Andrew’s rolled by visiting St. John Paul II 22-8, and Benjamin handled Orlando Bishop Moore 18-5.

The Scots move on to battle Jacksonville Bolles at 5 p.m. on Thursday, and the Buccaneers will face Naples Community School at 7:30.

FORT LAUDERDALE — Lionel Messi had a goal and an assist, Fafà Picault scored a goal for the second consecutive game and Inter Miami beat the New York Red Bulls 4-1 on Saturday night.

Inter Miami (6-1-3) rebounded from a 4-3 loss to Dallas that snapped its eight-game unbeaten streak to open the season.

Messi capped the scoring in the 67th minute. Messi used his right hip to hold off defender Noah Eile and then calmly slammed home a left-footer from the center of the area.

Picault scored to give Miami a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute. After two failed clearances by the Red Bulls, Marcelo Weigandt played an arcing ball-in from the right side that was redirected near post when Luis Suárez flicked a header to the back post and Picault put away a half-volley.

Weigandt scored in the 30th and Luis Suárez added a goal — his first since March 2 — in the 39th minute to give Miami a 3-0 lead.

Mohammed Sofo put away a corner kick for the Red Bulls (4-4-3), played in by Omar Valencia — going up high at the back post and somehow heading it back inside the front post — to make it 3-1 in the 43rd.

Weigandt, from point-blank range, tapped in the putback of his own shot to make it 2-0 in the 30th.

Suárez put away his own rebound to give Miami a 3-0 lead. Tadeo Allende rolled a cross to Suárez for a one-touch shot from center of the area that was blocked by defender Kyle Duncan, but Suárez was there for the finish for the left corner of the 6-yard box.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and veteran NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (currently a free agent) were in attendance.

General Daily Insight for May 04, 2025

Pushing a little too far can show us where we’re not yet ready for change. As the passionate Leo Moon squares the stubborn Taurus Sun, the status quo might be more deeply rooted than we’d thought. That being said, powerful Pluto then turns retrograde at 11:27 am EDT, encouraging us to review how much we’ve already grown over the past several months. Luna goes on to hang out with clever Mercury, guiding us through making manageable improvements we can take pride in.

Aries

March 21 – April 19

A conflict over money might nudge you to look closer at your connection with your friend group. While the impulsive Moon in your 5th House of Pleasure badgers the focused Sun in your finance zone, you may be reluctant to join in your pals’ latest fun plan because you hadn’t accounted for it in your budget. Consider whether this is an isolated incident or an ongoing frustration. Having different priorities in life isn’t wrong, but it deserves to be fairly acknowledged.

Taurus

April 20 – May 20

Your private feelings could currently interfere with your desire to present a particular image to the world. When the vulnerable Moon in your intimate 4th house challenges the optimistic Sun in your sign, it’ll potentially be obvious that you’re not totally on board with something you think you need to support. This kind of ambivalence is part of what makes you human — it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If you’re in an environment that doesn’t give you any breathing room, there’s your actual problem.

Gemini

May 21 – June 20

Your personal beliefs might be in a less stable place. As penetrating Pluto turns retrograde in your philosophical 9th house, there’s a chance that you’re starting to question things you’ve long taken for granted — and new answers may not yet be available to replace the old ones. You don’t have to tell others about this process if it feels too uncomfortable. That said, trying to eliminate your doubts by loudly denying them is likely to cause more problems than it solves!

Cancer

June 21 – July 22

Sharing resources could currently strain a friendship of yours. You might like a particular pal well enough, but significant differences between the two of you may become apparent once your money is on the line. As unconscious Pluto turns retrograde in your intimacy zone, you shouldn’t condemn yourself for not having seen this coming in advance — sometimes it’s not possible to think of a specific sticky situation before it happens! You do, however, need to deal frankly with whatever consequences are surfacing.

Leo

July 23 – August 22

A goal you’re committed to may place too many demands on your personal life at the moment. While subtle Pluto stations retrograde in your partnership sector, you might want to take a second look at any offers you’ve received recently. You’ll need to listen carefully to your spidey sense, as some could have unwanted strings attached. It’s also possible that more reasonable potential collaborators just got lost in the shuffle. They’ll probably be happy to hear from you, so feel free to reach out!

Virgo

August 23 – September 22

Today’s main risk involves potentially attempting to defend a belief that has lost contact with reality. While the candid Moon in your 12th House of Secrets pushes back against the confident Sun in your ideological 9th house, you probably know what’s truly going on, even if you have your reasons for not wanting to admit it. Stepping away from the theoretical realm is an option if this conflict is too stressful for you. There’s probably plenty in the physical world to keep you busy!

Libra

September 23 – October 22

You may have an opportunity to reveal yourself today. When the inquisitive Moon in your social sector goads the illuminating Sun in your intense 8th house, perhaps the moment will seem right to vent to a friend or acquaintance about a subject that’s been weighing on you. Try to think beyond the immediate relief you’ll experience — such a significant disclosure can shift how people see you. This isn’t always a bad thing, but make sure it’s the kind of change you want.

Scorpio

October 23 – November 21

Tension in a close relationship might be about to erupt! An emotional display may seem unavoidable as you seek to be heard. However, there’s a risk you’re not entirely living in the present as you react to whatever the other person is doing. With entrenched Pluto stationing retrograde in your 4th House of Roots, you’re potentially revisiting deep dynamics from your upbringing. You can certainly learn from your past, but try to be fair — don’t punish your current companion for things someone else did.

Sagittarius

November 22 – December 21

Keeping your nose to the grindstone may seem impossible today. As the spontaneous Moon in your 9th House of Adventure clashes with the proud Sun in your responsible 6th house, you’re likely ready for a break, regardless of what you’d planned. How you communicate this to others involved will be key. They might not be happy with your decision, but trying to manipulate them out of their genuine reaction will only fuel deeper resentments. Make your choice and live with its costs.

Capricorn

December 22 – January 19

Defining your priorities could presently be crucial. You’ll potentially start asking questions when you discover through interacting with another person that your habitual way of doing things isn’t universally shared. You don’t have to respond by automatically copying whatever your companion does. Conversely, as thoughtful Pluto turns retrograde in your 2nd House of Values, this represents an opportunity to reflect on whether your strategy still serves you. Be realistic about the pros and cons — and remember that there are alternatives.

Aquarius

January 20 – February 18

Getting frustrated with someone else could impact your day. Maybe this person genuinely is loudly and conspicuously annoying. They might also remind you of a vulnerable part of yourself that you’d rather not acknowledge. With disruptive Pluto stationing retrograde in your sign, you’re potentially going through an awkward metamorphosis and feeling a little exposed. Sometimes this just happens, and it’s not really anyone’s fault. Directing extra compassion your own way couldn’t hurt! It’ll likely lift your spirits, regardless of what others are doing.

Pisces

February 19 – March 20

Figuring out what’s holding you back could be challenging now. With insightful Pluto turning retrograde in your 12th House of Self-Undoing, it may be easy to notice an established pattern running through the course of your life and assume that today’s frustrations are simply part of that long chain. Even when reasonably accurate, such a view can become disempowering. If it’s possible to talk to someone you’re presently involved with about sharing your responsibilities differently, you might as well give that a try!

MIAMI (AP) — Kyle Stowers hit a game-ending grand slam for his second homer of the day, sending the Miami Marlins to a 9-6 victory over Mason Miller and the Athletics on Saturday.

The Marlins were down to their last out when Stowers drove a 101.7 mph fastball from Miller deep to left-center for his sixth homer of the season. He also hit a tying two-run shot in the third against Osvaldo Bido.

It was Stowers’ second multihomer performance in the last three games. He also went deep twice in a 12-7 loss at the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Javier Sanoja had two hits and scored two runs for Miami, which had lost six in a row. Lake Bachar (2-0) pitched two innings for the win.

Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Luis Urías homered for the A’s, who had won five of six. Jacob Wilson had two hits and scored twice.

The A’s grabbed a 5-4 lead on Nick Kurtz’s sacrifice fly in the sixth. Gio Urshela added an RBI double in the eighth.

Miller (0-1) came in to pitch the ninth and hit leadoff batter Matt Mervis. Connor Norby and Dane Myers struck out before Mervis advanced to third on Sanoja’s double.

Miller uncorked a wild pitch on a full-count offering to Ronny Simon, scoring Mervis. The closer then walked Xavier Edwards before Stowers went deep.

The A’s opened a 4-2 lead on Urías’ two-run homer off Max Meyer in the fourth. The Marlins responded with two in the fifth on Sanoja’s double and Xavier Edwards’ sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Meyer was charged with five runs and 10 hits over five-plus innings.

Bido allowed four runs and three hits in five innings.

Key moment

Bachar struck out the side in a perfect ninth.

Key stat

Meyer had no strikeouts in his first home start since he had a career-high 14 Ks against Cincinnati on April 21.

Up next

LHP JP Sears (4-2, 2.94 ERA) will start the series finale for the Athletics on Sunday. RHP Edward Cabrera (0-1, 7.23 ERA) pitches for the Marlins.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

• The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Spectators watch the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Spectators watch the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour from the roof of the Pelican Grand Beach Resort on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Beachgoers watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• The F-22 Raptor performs in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• The United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team, known as the Para-Commandos, perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Aarron Deliu, world-class Australian aerobatic pilot performs in the the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Spectators watch the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Spectators toast the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Coast Guard SAR Demo in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• The F-22 Raptor performs in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
• Spectators watch the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Show Caption1 of 17The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform in the Fort Lauderdale Air Dot Show Tour on Saturday May 3, 2025. The show continues on Sunday, May 4, 2025 over Fort Lauderdale Beach. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)Expand

By NICOLE WINFIELD and JILL COLVIN

NEW YORK (AP) — President Donald Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope as the mourning of Pope Francis continues and just days before the conclave to elect his successor is set to begin. Trump’s action drew rebukes from a group representing Catholic bishops in New York and among Italians.

The image, shared Friday night on Trump’s Truth Social site and later reposted by the White House on its official X account, raised eyebrows on social media and at the Vatican, which is still in the period of nine days of official mourning following Francis’ death on April 21. Catholic cardinals have been celebrating daily Masses in his memory and are due to open the conclave to elect his successor on Wednesday.

The death of a pope and election of another is a matter of utmost solemnity for Catholics, for whom the pope is Christ’s vicar on Earth. That is all the more true in Italy, where the papacy is held in high esteem even by nonreligious Italians.

The image featuring Trump in a white cassock and pointed miter, or bishop’s hat, was the topic of several questions during the Vatican’s daily conclave briefing Saturday. Italian and Spanish news reports lamented its poor taste and said it was offensive, given that the period of official mourning is still underway.

Left-leaning former Premier Matteo Renzi said the image was shameful. “This is an image that offends believers, insults institutions and shows that the leader of the right-wing world enjoys clowning around,” Renzi wrote on X. “Meanwhile, the U.S. economy risks recession and the dollar loses value. The sovereignists are doing damage, everywhere.”

The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, declined to comment.

In the United States, the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the bishops of the state in working with government, accused Trump of mockery.

“There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,” they wrote. “We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave to elect a new successor of St. Peter. Do not mock us.”

Italy’s left-leaning La Repubblica also featured the image on its homepage Saturday with a commentary accusing Trump of “pathological megalomania.”

Asked to respond to the criticism, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that, “President Trump flew to Italy to pay his respects for Pope Francis and attend his funeral, and he has been a staunch champion for Catholics and religious liberty.”

Jack Posobiec, a prominent far-right influencer and Trump ally who recently participated in a Catholic prayer event in March at Trump’s Florida resort, also defended the president.

“I’m Catholic. We’ve all been making jokes about the upcoming Pope selection all week. It’s called a sense of humor,” he wrote on X.

The episode comes after Trump joked last week about his interest in the vacancy. “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice,” the thrice married president, who is not Catholic, told reporters.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, piled on.

“I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope. This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!” Graham, R-S.C., wrote on X. “The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides. Watching for white smoke…. Trump MMXXVIII!”

Vice President JD Vance, who is Catholic and was one of the last foreign officials to meet with Francis before the pope died, also joked about Secretary of State Marco Rubio becoming pope, suggesting Rubio could add it to the long list of titles he holds, including national security adviser and acting archivist.

Beyond floating himself for the job, Trump also has put in a plug for Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

“I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out a place called New York who’s very good. So we’ll see what happens,” he said.

Dolan, 75, is one of 10 U.S. cardinals who will be voting in the conclave, but Trump’s pitch might have cost Dolan support.

The reason conclaves are held in secrecy, with cardinals sequestered for the duration, is to prevent outside secular powers from influencing their choice, as occurred in centuries past.

There is an old saying about campaigning for the job of pope or of being promoted excessively, especially by outsiders: If you “enter a conclave as pope, you leave as a cardinal.”

While Trump attended Francis’ funeral, he and Vance have clashed with U.S. bishops in general and Francis in particular over the administration’s hard line stance on immigration and its efforts to deport migrants en masse. Right before he was hospitalized in February for pneumonia, Francis issued a strong rebuke of the administration’s mass deportation plans and Vance’s theological justification of it.

Over 12 years as pope, Francis tried to remake the U.S. Catholic hierarchy more in his image, elevating pastors who prioritized social justice and migration issues over culture warriors who were more favored by his more doctrinaire predecessors St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. A new pope who is more conservative could reverse that effort.

Trump has nominated as his ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch, whose Catholicvote.org has been aggressively covering the pre-conclave days at the Vatican. It was one of the main disseminators in English-speaking media of a report, flatly and officially denied by the Vatican, that Cardinal Pietro Parolin had had a health scare this past week that required medical attention.

Parolin was the secretary of state under Francis and is seen as a leading contender to be pope. He is also the main architect of the Vatican’s China policy and its controversial 2018 deal with Beijing over bishop nominations — a deal that the was sharply criticized by the first Trump administration.

___ Winfield reported from Vatican City.

GAINESVILLE — For a guy who keeps score for a living, Florida golf coach JC Deacon didn’t have to check the leaderboard to know he was behind.

But after years of falling short at a school where championships are the standard, Deacon’s Gators are on a run that has put them in the mix with the top programs on campus.

UF’s SEC championship on April 27 was its second in three years, continuing a level of success the 41-year-old Deacon didn’t quite comprehend. 

Since 2022, the Gators have won 18 tournaments, highlighted by the 2023 national and SEC titles, and captured 13 individual titles.

“Those numbers are staggering; that’s crazy to hear that,” Deacon told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. “You keep pushing forward and trying to be great. But that four-year run is what I always dreamed of for this program to be.”

Florida coach JC Deacon, right, celebrates the Gators 2025 SEC Championship in men's golf with former UF All-American Dudley Hart, now an assistant coach Deacon credits with much of the program's recent success. (UAA Communications/Bella Rosa)

Deacon experienced his share of sleepless nights to get here.

“I have a huge fear of failure,” he said. “I always have.”

The winning culture in Gainesville intensified the angst.

UF hired Deacon in June 2014 on the heels of national title runs in Gators softball and gymnastics, who would each repeat in 2015, along with a Final Four appearance in men’s basketball.

The Toronto native and former UNLV standout soon witnessed baseball, track and field, and  women’s tennis win national championships along with volleyball reaching the Final Four. In 2021, men’s tennis won a national title while men’s golf still had yet to reach the NCAA’s eight-team final instituted in 2009.

“It’s relentless success,” Deacon said. “That’s how I always wanted my team to be looked at. That’s how it should be, but it takes a lot.”

At Florida, much is expected. 

Disappointment and occasional grousing among members became a rite of spring at Mark Bostick Golf Course, the home to four national and 15 SEC champions prior to Deacon’s hiring. Even a 2017 season full of promise, with three wins and a No. 2 ranking entering February, ran out of steam by the postseason.

“I signed up for that,” Deacon said. “When I took this job, I knew that if you weren’t a top-10 team and you weren’t competing for championships, you were going to be looked at as not getting the job done.”

Deacon’s fortunes slowly began to turn after his program bottomed out in 2019, failing to reach SEC match play  or advance out of the NCAA Regionals.

“We weren’t in a great spot,” he said.

Ricky Castillo’s decision to leave Southern California for north Florida began a seismic shift.

Deacon had signed supremely talented players before, such as current professionals Alejandro Tosti and Sam Horsfield. But Castillo, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, coupled singular ability with accountability for all.

“He changed the expectations within the team without the coaches being around,” Deacon recalled. “He’s a winner. He expected to win, and he expected everyone else around him to do what was required to win.”

Florida head coach JC Deacon watches the Gators April 25 at the SEC Championships as his team qualified for championship match uplay at at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Ga. (UAA Communications/Bella Rosa)

Castillo, now a PGA Tour rookie, was the linchpin of the ’23 title team. 

The culture he helped create remains the same, if not better.

“This is the hardest-working team I’ve ever had, and the one in 2023 was really hard-working and loved the game,” Deacon said. “But these guys have taken it to another level.”

Deacon noticed something special when football Saturdays in Gainesville weren’t as festive, early-morning workouts were more energized and qualifying rounds were intensely competitive.

Due to the team’s depth, veteran Matthew Kress — the one holdover from the ’23 lineup —  couldn’t crack the starting five in the fall. But a final-round 66 at February’s Gators Invitational began a steady resurgence this spring, culminating with a 5 & 4 win against Texas A&M’s Aaron Pound in the SEC title match.

The 22-year-old from northern California credits Deacon for the turnaround.

“He’s a huge conference-builder,” Kress said. “He’s never going to tell you have a long way to go. He makes you think you’re centimeter away, even if you might not be. I haven’t had the greatest of seasons, but he’s like, ‘You’re right around the corner. Great golf is coming.’ I’m like, ‘Dude, I just finished like 50th, three tournaments in a row. What are you talking about?’

“And then I come back in the spring and I play pretty good.”

UF coach JC Deacon (right) shares a moment with golfer Matthew after the Gators SEC Championship win April 27. (UAA Communications/Bella Rosa)

Deacon, who made had a six-year go in his 20s as a professional, can relate to golf’s struggle as both player and coach.

He is also quick to share credit, be it with strength coach Markus Fürst or associate head coach Dudley Hart. Deacon calls the four-time All-American at UF, who arrived in 2023, “a godsend.”

Watching his players celebrate an SEC title last Sunday at Sea Island in St. Simons Island, Ga., Deacon felt increasingly blessed.

“Just sitting back with my wife on Sunday and watching them celebrate. and knowing how big of an accomplishment this was for them, and what it’s going to mean to them down the road, that’s like a feeling you can’t even describe,” he said. “Money cannot buy that — and that’s pretty cool.”

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

Noe Ruelas didn’t need an introduction to UCF football.

He received one as a member of the UConn football team in 2021 when the Huskies visited FBC Mortgage Stadium in late November. True to its nickname, the Bounce House left an impression on Ruelas all these years later.

“I remember we were in the locker room as the away team, and you could feel the stadium move a little bit. You could hear the students jumping [on the bleachers] because the visiting locker room is under the student section. You could feel them jumping up and down,” Ruelas told the Sentinel.

The Knights came away with a 49-17 win that day and, while Ruelas didn’t see the field as a true freshman kicker, he remembers it even four years later.

Now Ruelas should get a chance to experience the full Bounce House effect, albeit this time from the home side after transferring to UCF last month.

“It felt like the right situation and a good spot to do my final college football season,” he said. “The coaching staff was a big part of that. [Special-teams] Coach [Pete] Alamar was a big part of that. He has a lot of experience in college football, being a coordinator for so many years. He’s also well-connected with the NFL and has a couple of guys in the league and that’s something I’m pushing for.”

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Ruelas comes to the program after one season at James Madison, where he served as the Dukes’ primary kicker. He made 80% (16 of 20) of his field goal attempts and 35-of-37 on point-after attempts.

Ruelas was a perfect 9 of 9 on field goal attempts inside the 40-yard line and 14 of 16 on attempts inside the 50. Twice he connected on attempts of 50-plus yards, with a season-long 52-yarder against Appalachian State.

He also averaged 60.2 yards on nine kickoffs last season.

Before his time at James Madison, he spent three seasons at UConn.

He was the Huskies’ primary kicker in 2022 after starter Joe McFadden went down with a season-ending injury, connecting on 75% (12 of 16) of his field goal attempts and 28-of-28 on extra points. Ruelas made 3 of 4 field goals and 3-of-3 extra points in 2023 before transferring to James Madison.

When he entered his name into the transfer portal on April 18, several schools contacted him, but his connection with Alamar convinced him to continue his career in Orlando.

“He’s genuine and truly wants to be a part of my journey to that next level,” Ruelas said of Alamar. “First, we have to have a good season this season, but he wanted to be a part of that journey and help me out.”

Alamar, 64, joined Scott Frost’s coaching staff at UCF in December and is now the Knights’ special-teams coordinator. He has honed this role at various schools, including Arizona, California, Fresno State, Stanford and Rice.

Veteran UCF assistant Pete Alamar preaches opportunities on special teams

Throughout his career, he’s developed a litany of all-conference kickers and punters, including punters Bryan Anger (Cal/Cowboys) and Jake Bailey (Stanford/Dolphins) and kicker Joshua Karty (Stanford/Rams), who were among the best in the country.

Ruelas joins the program at the right time, with the Knights searching for a new placekicker.

Sophomore Grant Reddick, who assumed the placekicker role midway through last season, opted to enter the transfer portal after spring camp. This decision leaves the team’s kicking responsibilities for Ruelas and Noah McGough, a promising late 2025 commitment from Jesuit High School in Dallas.

“Coach Frost has built a team where there’s a lot of talent on the roster, and that was important,” Ruelas said.

Ruelas primarily played soccer while growing up in Colorado but decided to try out for the football team during his freshman year of high school.

“I started playing soccer at the age of 4 and played up until my freshman year of high school, and that’s kind of when I started playing football,” he said. “I started playing because of my friends. They’re like, ‘Oh, you’ve got to play with us in high school.’”

While he played wide receiver and safety, he was soon asked to play another position.

“We needed a kicker and we had tryouts and they were like, ‘Who can kick? And I was like, ‘I can kick.’ We had a couple of kids try out, and I became one of the better ones. So they chose me,” he said.

After he finishes his studies at James Madison, Ruelas plans to move to Orlando. He’s excited about the opportunity at UCF.

“I just want to help the team win,” he said. “If I’m put in a position where I need to make a kick, my goal at the end of the day is to make every kick. Hopefully, that’s what happens.”

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

“The power to propose the revision or amendment of any portion or portions of this constitution by initiative is reserved to the people … ”

Those words are in Article XI, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution, approved by voters in 1968.

Voters that year modernized the state’s governing document in so many ways taken for granted today, such as home rule powers of cities and counties or the requirement for an annual 60-day session of the Legislature.

Mike Stocker/Sun SentinelSteve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel Opinion Editor.

The power of citizens to change the Constitution has brought much good to this state that would never have happened otherwise: stronger ethics laws, universal pre-kindergarten, a higher minimum wage, voting rights for felons, legalized medical marijuana, cleaner air and water.

The Legislature refused to do those things so the people did it themselves. There is a word for that: Democracy.

But Gov. Ron DeSantis and many in the state Legislature are tired of do-it-yourself democracy. They just put what looks like the final nail in the coffin of the citizens’ initiative in Florida.

A new law, (HB 1205), will make it harder than ever to collect the signatures from Florida voters needed to get an initiative on the ballot.

The bill imposes new hurdles for collecting signatures, such as tighter time deadlines (from 30 days to 10 days) to return petition forms, and fines of up to $50,000 if any non-citizen is found gathering signatures.

Sponsoring groups can propose only one petition at a time. Voters can face felony charges for collecting more than 25 petitions other than their own and those of immediate family members.

Fines. Forms. Felonies.

Republicans defend the changes as necessary to prevent fraud in the petition-gathering process, but bill sponsors said that among hundreds of allegations of petition fraud in 2024, there were 18 arrests.

“I’ve noticed a pattern that we go through in the Legislature,” said Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, a leading opponent of the bill. “If the majority don’t like what they see in a prior election, we change the law. We raise the bar.”

Two ballot initiatives nearly passed in 2024, on abortion rights and recreational pot use. But even coming close got Tallahassee’s undivided attention.

“Those pesky amendments 3 and 4 just came too damn close to passing,” Polsky said.

Petition gathering is flawed, to be sure, but many mistakes are out of carelessness, not fraud, and laws already exist to punish willful violators.

The caricature of a suspicious-looking noncitizen from some faraway state clutching a clipboard is an exaggeration. Many petition circulators are volunteers, described by senators as grandmothers from Century Village, who care deeply about the causes they pursue.

Within hours of the bill clearing the Senate Friday, DeSantis signed it into law. It will undoubtedly face a federal court challenge — as it should.

Even in the dry prose of a Senate bill analysis, it says: “Once a state allows an initiative petition process, that process is protected by the First Amendment.”

More than anything else DeSantis has done, signing this bill puts the lie to his tired cliché about “the free state of Florida.”

If this law survives, future Florida ballot initiatives will be the exclusive province of wealthy special interests with teams of lawyers and compliance experts paid by deep-pocket political committees.

“We are effectively saying, unless you’re rich, don’t bother trying to change the Constitution,” said Sen. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg. “That’s not democracy. That’s a paywall.”

The new law will pose grave threats to groups seeking to get initiatives on the 2026 ballot.

“It’s a calculated move by out-of-touch politicians trying to rewrite the rules to further keep the power in their hands, and away from everyday citizens,” said Mitch Emerson, chairman of Florida Decides Healthcare, a group trying to expand Medicaid to help low-income Floridians. “They’re attempting to silence Floridians because they’re afraid of answering to we, the people.”

The deck is already stacked against democracy. Even before the latest crackdown, Florida Decides Healthcare and every other Florida initiative campaign had to overcome immense hurdles.

They must gather more than 880,000 signatures. A petition must survive strict legal scrutiny. If it reaches the ballot, big-money forces will spend millions on deceptive TV ads to defeat it. It can’t pass unless 60% of voters say yes.

“Florida Decides Healthcare has fought tirelessly to protect the voice of the people, and we’re not going anywhere,” Emerson said. “No politician gets to decide which rights we’re allowed to keep. The people of Florida deserve better than this bad-faith attempt to silence our voices.”

The bill passed the Senate, 28-9, and the House, 81-30. Republicans voted yes and Democrats voted no.

The promise of power to the people is still in the Constitution, and those words will be there forever. But year after year, the power they represent slips away.

Steve Bousquet is Opinion Editor of the Sun Sentinel and a columnist in Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale. Contact him at sbousquet@sunsentinel.com or (850) 567-2240 and follow him on X @stevebousquet.