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When the line of UF gymnasts burst through the mist of the Gator
mouth on Senior Night, it was a freshman Jade Wiggins who led the
team onto the floor.
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Although seniors Maranda Smith and Alicia Goodwin competed in their
last home meet of their gymnastics career, the meet against No. 22
Auburn allowed for several freshmen to begin their time as
Gators.
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“We knew that tonight was going to be an opportunity to rest quite
a few of our heavy hitters and offer an opportunity for some of our
younger athletes,” coach Rhonda Faehn said.
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No.1 Florida did just that in its 196.850-194.950 victory over the
Tigers, as freshmen Lauren Rose and Wiggins made their collegiate
debuts.
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Although Wiggins had a goof-up on her floor routine earning a
9.125, Faehn said she was pleased with the way she performed in the
exhibition spot on balance beam.
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However, Rose had a solid first official lineup performance on
floor, posting a 9.800.
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While Rose and Wiggins got their time on the mats, familiar faces
took a chance to sit back.
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The Gators had no all-around competitors as SEC Gymnast of the Week
Alaina Johnson, a freshman, only competed on beam and bars. Fellow
all-arounder sophomore Ashanée Dickerson sat out on floor.
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The newest all-around competitor for the Gators, Mackenzie
Caquatto, also sat out on floor.
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But, Smith and Goodwin made a solid exit with their last home
performances. Goodwin competed in bars and beam, tying for third in
bars with a 9.850.
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Smith also nabbed the No. 3 spot on vault.
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But before floor, the emotions of Senior Night set in.
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She held back her tears enough to throw down a 9.900, raising her
to first place.
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Goodwin said that it was difficult to get emotional this meet,
because it doesn’t feel like the end yet a lot of season still
ahead.
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But the senior made sure to let Caquatto know to never take her
time as a Gator for granted.
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“We pick names at the beginning of the season and we get that
person a little present and Alicia is the person who has me,”
Caquatto said. “She wrote me a note tonight that said, ‘Savor every
moment, it goes by fast. Just have fun out there.’ It’s our last
years of gymnastics so we’ve just got to keep it close at
heart.”
