Second place isn’t bad. In fact, with the talent in the Southeastern Conference, it’s pretty impressive.
That’s what the Gators keep telling themselves.
But heading into the postseason with their No. 1 national ranking still intact makes the sting of losing a winnable meet that much more biting.
But this weekend will present a new, more important, opportunity for UF.
Accepting that SEC competition is over, the Gators decided they would rather hold a different title. And this weekend will bring them one step closer to it.
“Of course we wanted to be SEC champions,” senior Maranda Smith said. “But it would be even better to be the national champion.”
Florida will take part in the NCAA North Central Region Championships in Denver on Saturday, and two of the six teams competing will advance to the NCAA Championships later this month.
The Gators have claimed a regional title and made it to the NCAA Super Six every year since 2006.
Looking back at the flaws that stained their performances in the SEC meet, the Gators realized the little things sank them against champion Alabama.
“It was the fine details like the wobbles and not getting the stuck landings,” sophomore Ashanée Dickerson said. “We’ve been working on that to perfect those things so that we can be on top in the end.”
With two weeks of practice under their belts, the gymnasts have honed in on the finer points of nailing their landings, pointing their toes and focusing on such details as finger tightness.
On top of polishing those aspects, freshman Mackenzie Caquatto said the team has been working on boosting its confidence.
“We were a little hesitant at SECs,” she said. “We just didn’t go aggressively toward everything that we knew how to do.”
UF’s coaching staff has been making efforts to up the aggression of the athletes by creating a competitive atmosphere leading up to the meet.
“Often times in practice, the athlete can get a little bit lazy, knowing it’s not really in front of the judge,” coach Rhonda Faehn said. “We continually are trying to put them in pressure situations where they feel like they have to step up.”
The Gators’ confidence will be tested almost immediately in Magness Arena as they will begin the meet on floor, the event that arguably calls for the biggest jolt of energy.
Caquatto said the gymnasts have to change their focus before they enter the gym by relieving pressure they’ve put on themselves.
“We’re not focusing on, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re the No. 1 team; we have to do really good,’” she said. “It’s focusing on what you have to do when you get up there and not worrying about anything else that’s going on.”
