Grading how Florida Gators teams did in 2025-26 season Part 3

Not every successful season ends with a championship, but at Florida that’s the standard expectation for every sport.

Regardless, several Gator program combined consistency with individual success and produced SEC champions and national award winners to create memorable seasons.

This is Part 3 of The Gainesville Sun’s review of Florida’s athletic season. Grades were based on overall record, conference finish and postseason accolades.

Baseball: 41-21 overall, 18-12 SEC

Grade: B- | Last five-year average: 42.4 wins, 22.8 losses

The Gators have a roller coaster, which was not aided by offseason drama. Yet Florida still managed to turn in a respectable season, earning the No. 8 national seed, hosting a regional, and reaching the SEC tournament semifinals. However, UF was upset in the winner’s bracket by No. 3-seeded Troy. Aidan King garnered SEC Pitcher of the Year honors, while he, Brendan Lawson and Caden McDonald all earned All-American honors. Notably, UF’s offseason moves should create renewed energy for the program.

Women’s Lacrosse: 15-4 overall, 5-0 Big 12

Grade: B+ | Last five-year average: 5.2 wins, 0.2 losses

Since the program’s inception, head coach Amanda O’Leary’s t has created one of the most consistent team sports on campus. The Gators extended their streak of making the NCAA tournament to 15 straight appearances and won their third straight regular season conference title. However, Florida came off back-to-back Final Four appearances and fell short of those expectations in the final stretch of the year. UF was upset by Colorado in the Big 12 title game in Gainesville and by Denver in the first round, marking the first time Florida failed to win at least one game in the NCAA tournament. Notably, four different Gators earned All-American nods and cleaned up Big 12 honors.

Women's Golf

Grade: B+ | Last five SEC Meet Results: Semifinals (2026), Runner-up (2025), 13th (2024), Quarterfinals (2023), Runner-up (2022)

Last five NCAA Meet Results: 12th (2026), 17th (2025), DNQ (2024), DNQ (2023), DNQ (2022)

It was a respectable season for Gators golf as a team, but Paula Francisco arguably turned in one of the most memorable performances of the entire athletic season. On the final day of the SEC championships, she rallied from a 3-stroke deficit and won the individual title. The different Gators earned All-American recognition. Megan Propeck was named SEC Newcomer of the Year, while Siuue We turned in a historic performance at the NCAA championships, shooting one of the lowest scores in program history.

Men's Golf

Grade: B+ | Last five SEC Meet Results: Runner-up (2026), SEC title (2025), Quarterfinals (2024), SEC title (2023), Runner-up (2022)

Last five NCAA Meet Results: Quarterfinals (2026), Semifinals (2025), 11th (2024), National title (2023), 10th (2022)

The Gators came close to another SEC title but fell short to Ole Miss. UF ran through the NCAA regional and reached match play in the NCAA tournament. Three different Gators earned All-American nods, which were Matthew Kress, Luke Poulter and Jack Turner. Head coach J.C. Deacon was named a finalist for National Coach of the Year for the third time in four years.

Men's Swimming and Diving

Grade: A- | Last five SEC Meet Results: Runner-up (2026), Runner-up (2025), SEC title (2024), SEC title (2023), SEC title (2022)

Last five NCAA Meet Results: Runner-up (2026), 4th (2025), 3rd (2024), 6th (2023), 3rd (2022)

The men had one of the best seasons in recent memory as the Gators put together their best finish in 41 years at the NCAA championships. The program won five national titles, with Josh Liendo as the main highlight, named the Co-National Swimmer of the Year and SEC Swimmer of the Year. Liendo won the 100 butterfly and, in the process, set the NCAA record.

Women's Swimming and Diving

Grade: B+ | Last five SEC Meet Results: 3rd (2026), Runner-up (2025), SEC title (2024), SEC title (2023), 5th (2022)

Last five NCAA Meet Results: 10th (2026), 6th (2025), 3rd (2024), 9th (2023), 13th (2022)

It was an all-around solid year for the women’s swim and dive team. At the SEC championships, Anita Bottazzo became the first Florida woman since 2006 to win both breaststroke titles. At the NCAA championships, four Gators earned All-American honors, with Bottazzo turning in a national runner-up finish in the 100 breaststroke.

Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Grading how Florida Gators teams did in 2025-26 season Part 3