Florida’s ability to adapt under any circumstance has fueled another successful season.
Facing high expectations to begin the year, the Gators have left little to be desired.
“What I feel makes this team a little bit different is that they’re adaptable,” coach Rhonda Faehn said. “So far this year, in any circumstance we’ve been in whether it’s on the road or at home, whatever challenge was set before us, they had the most amazing attitude.”
In a season marred by injuries to critical players, Florida has rallied behind the contributions of some of its lesser-known gymnasts. It's been dealt the task of replacing production on each apparatus, most recently on balance beam with the loss of Randy Stageberg.
But it hasn’t slowed the team.
Freshmen Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto and Bridgette Caquatto and sophomore Rachel Spicer have filled those voids. Their performances paid dividends for the Gators in both the Southeastern Conference and NCAA Regional Championships.
With the absence of Stageberg on two events, Marissa King found herself anchoring the backend of Florida’s thinnest rotation – a role she assumed last year. King pinned a 9.95 in the sixth spot on beam on April 6 to give Florida its fifth consecutive Southeast Regional title.
Despite the variety of lineups, the Gators haven’t missed a beat. The team ranks first in three of four events heading into the NCAA Championships in Los Angeles, Ca., on Friday and is the No. 1 seed in its respective group.
Florida’s success has not gone unnoticed.
“Everyone has said that we have a talented team on paper, and I think it’s really good that we’ve shown people that we have a talented team not just on paper but physically, too,” Kytra Hunter said.
When the competition begins on Friday, it’ll be a scene all too familiar for UF, who lost to Alabama in the NCAA Super Six last season.
“Knowing that we came so close last year, and seeing what score it was it definitely was a motivator to get back in the gym and work harder,” Ashanee Dickerson said.
The situation for Alabama was simple: hit its final two routines on balance beam and win its second consecutive NCAA Championship. Lose, and Florida would claim its first NCAA title in the program’s history.
Last year, Geralen Stack-Eaton and Ashley Preiss each scored at least 9.9 en route to Alabama’s sixth title.
Failing to capture the elusive NCAA Championship has not caused a setback for the Gators in 2013. Under the tutelage of Faehn, Florida may have its deepest team in recent memory, a notion Faehn has voiced throughout the season.
Now, one year removed from that NCAA Super Six, Florida has its chance for redemption.
Florida freshman gymnast Bridgette Caquatto performs her floor routine during the NCAA Regionals on April 6 in the O’Connell Center. Caquatto has filled in for injured starters this season.
