The Gators fell multiple times but managed to stay balanced against the Bruins on Saturday.
Multiple gymnasts made errors and falls in their routines in UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion — mistakes that are now reflected in UF’s fall from the No. 1 ranking in the country to No. 4.
“Of course we had mistakes here and there, and that was to be expected,” coach Rhonda Faehn said. “Looking at it, there were so many new things that happened in out lineups.”
Part of that new look was Mackenzie Caquatto competing in all four events for the first time since her freshman year.
The Naperville, Ill., native ended up missing her hand placement on vault, much to Faehn’s surprise.
“That was so uncharacteristic, that was really kind of fluky. She’s never ever done that and never missed that,” Faehn said.
“After that happened, she took kind of a low landing and her legs really took a hit, so that affected her on floor.”
Caquatto, a five-time All-American, ended the match with the lowest all-around score of all gymnasts at the meet (37.300), though no UCLA gymnast competed in all four events.
Caquatto’s 9.150 on vault was also the lowest score in that event.
Her 8.40 on floor was the lowest individual score from the entire meet. Florida has not had a gymnast record worse than Caquatto’s 8.40 on floor since Gabby Fuchs scored a 8.25 on April 10, 1999.
One Gator who has not seen action in any event this year is Lauren Rose, who tore her Achilles in the 2012-2013 season.
Faehn said Rose was improving and rehabbing in the fall, but the senior is still suffering from Achilles tendonitis.
“It’s just an ongoing issue,” Faehn said. “She is training, but we have to be just really careful with that and take it slow with her.”
Rose has competed with her team nine times, including several exhibition outings, in her three years at UF. Faehn said she hopes to see Rose compete in at least vault this season.
With only two practices before the Gators hit the road to take on Auburn, Faehn has a tall task ahead of her in quickly correcting her squad’s imperfections.
Said Faehn: “We weren’t expecting them to come out of the gates blasting and being near perfect.”
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Mackenzie Caquatto sticks a dismount in a quad meet Jan. 27, 2012. Caquatto struggled in UF’s season opener, but the senior rebounded Friday night to help Florida knock off Auburn.
