Gophers catcher Kendyl Lindaman picks Florida as her transfer destination

Gophers softball player Kendyl Lindaman announced on social media Friday that she will transfer to Florida.

Lindaman, the two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, posted on Instagram: "It's been an amazing two years at the University of Minnesota. Minnesota will always hold a special place in my heart. With every journey comes a new chapter.

"I wanted to officially announce that I will be continuing my academic and softball career at the University of Florida. This was the most difficult decision I've ever had to make, but I appreciate all the love and support I've gotten every step of this process."

NCAA softball rules now allow players to transfer to another school and play immediately. Lindaman, who has two years of eligibility remaining, told the Gophers she was leaving Nov. 20.

Lindaman, of Ankeny, Iowa, hit a school single-season record 20 home runs in each of her two seasons with the Gophers. Lindaman, who batted .426 as a freshman and .361 as a sophomore, was named second team All-America catcher twice.

The Gophers are scheduled to play Florida in Gainesville on March 20.

Since 2008, the Gators have played in the Women's College World Series nine times — more than any other program in that stretch — and were NCAA champions in 2014 and 2015.

Jennifer Hines, the tournament director for the 3M Championship on the PGA Champions Tour, won the Outstanding Achievement Award from the tour at its annual meetings.

In 2019, the 3M tournament will move to the PGA Tour as the 3M Open.

Hines managed the 3M Championship for 25 years, and earned her award for "exceeding expectations in the core areas of tournament golf, involving players, spectators and sponsors while displaying meaningful community impact."

The 3M Championship also won the Bruno Award for dedication and service to the Tour.

• Owatonna running back Jason Williamson repeated as Gatorade's Football Player of the Year in Minnesota. The 6-2, 205-pound senior, who has committed to the Gophers, led the Huskies to a 13-0 record and a second consecutive Class 5A title. He rushed for 3,012 yards and 46 touchdowns this past season.

• Former Gophers wrestler Tony Nelson is on the U.S. freestyle team competing in the three-day Alans International Tournament which begins Saturday in Vladikavkaz, Russia. The two-time NCAA heavyweight champion is in the 125-kilogram class. His first match will be against Russia's Badzha Khutaba.

• Three MIAC women's hockey players are on the D3hockey.com team of the week. They are St. Thomas goalie Kenzie Torpy, Gustavus forward Allie Stanger and Hamline forward Molly Garin.

• St. Scholastica men's and women's golf coach Eric Anderson has resigned to become a commercial banker. He was named coach and started both those programs in June of 2015.