Ashanee Dickerson is rewriting Florida’s record books.
Her name appeared among Gator greats 25 times coming into this season.
She has not slowed since arriving to Gainesville, and she has not stalled in her quest for a national championship.
“She just keeps getting better,” coach Rhonda Faehn said.
“And I love that she’s taking ownership of her senior year in a way that she is going to make sure that she leaves nothing on the table.”
By the end of the regular season, there may be nothing left for Dickerson to take.
Since her freshman year, Dickerson has competed in all-around 37 times in 42 events and has earned 16 career victories — good enough for a tie for fifth in program history.
As a junior, she became the only Gator in the program’s 32-year history to score a 9.95 or above in each event.
She has neared perfection three times, and on Friday, Dickerson became the eighth Gator to post a 9.975 on floor.
“Her floor routine, that was really the best,” Faehn said.
“I still get chills thinking about it … the best [routine] I’ve seen her do.”
Dickerson has increased inspiration this season.
The arrival of freshman Bridget Sloan has only benefited Dickerson during the Jacksonville native’s final campaign as a Gator.
“I just need [Bridget] Sloan,” Dickerson said. “I need Bridget Sloan with me in the corner. She pumps me up every time.”
The emotion Sloan gets out of Dickerson is rare. Faehn joked that the only two words she heard from Dickerson as an underclassmen were, ‘Yes, m’am.’”
But Dickerson’s level-headed attitude keeps her grounded. Faehn appreciates what she has in the record breaking senior.
“I still, every day, sit back and shake my head,” Faehn said.
“Ashanee is the ultimate athlete that we would want in collegiate gymnastics.”
Senior Ashanee Dickerson performs her floor routine in Florida’s 198.1-196.85 win against Alabama on Friday in the O’Connell Center. Dickerson recorded a career-best 9.975 score on floor in the Gators’ victory.
