The Gators knew they needed to seize control early.
Facing No. 5 Alabama, Florida needed to bring it’s “A” game to Friday night’s meet.
And against its stiffest competition to date, No. 1 Florida did just that, recording three perfect 10’s in a single meet for the first time in program history in the Gators’ 198.175-197.525 win over the Crimson Tide.
“I really don’t know what to say other than tonight was a very memorable night,” UF coach Jenny Rowland said. “Not only for me, but for our entire team.”
Headed by collegiate-best efforts of 9.950 from both freshman Alicia Boren and sophomore Kennedy Baker, UF (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) opened the meet with a season-high 49.500 on vault to take an early 0.175-point lead. Additionally, the Gators’ leadoff duo of senior Bridgette Caquatto and sophomore Ericha Fassbender posted back-to-back season highs, notching a 9.775 and 9.850, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide (2-3, 1-2 SEC) notched a season-high 49.325 in the first rotation.
In the next rotation, however, UF nearly saw its advantage dissolve on the uneven bars. Performing third, senior specialist Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto slipped on a release move, a large enough mishap to dock her score to an event-low 9.375.
“You know, if you have a small mess-up, we better keep our energy up,” sophomore Alex McMurtry said. “The meet is not over, and after the crowd cheered on Bianca and our team cheered on Bianca, that gave me the confidence too to get up there and do a great routine.”
In support, Dancose-Giambattisto’s five teammates picked up the slack.
Improving with each passing routine, the Gators extended their lead with their five counted scores.
None helped more than McMurtry’s. Sticking her full-out dismount, McMurtry incited the O’Connell Center crowd to a frenzy, bringing them to their feet upon the announcement of her first 10 of the season.
“I’m kind of terrified of bars,” McMurtry said, “and this routine gave me some confidence.
“When I stuck that landing, I thought I hit a good routine, but I didn’t think it was a 10 until they flashed the scores.”
In front of an announced crowd of 8,867 — the sixth-largest in school history — the Gators entered the second intermission leading 98.975-98.525.
Yet again, the Gators stepped up to the occasion.
Dead even in the rotational point total, senior Bridget Sloan stepped up to the beam.
With NCAA All-American Lauren Beers prepping for her floor routine for Alabama, Sloan notched Florida’s second perfect score of the night, sending the crowd to their feet for an ovation that lasted well into her Alabama counterpart’s performance on the mat.
The 10 — Sloan’s second on the apparatus in her career — stands as UF’s first on the balance beam inside the O’Connell Center.
“I bet no one noticed, but I kicked the beam really, really hard on the very first move I did,” Sloan said. “And it really just took me away from my actual routine. And it’s amazing what happens when you don’t think and when you let your body take over.”
Carrying a 148.500-147.975 edge into the meet’s fourth and final rotation, the Gators hammered home the win on the strength of another record-setting performance.
Performing fifth, Baker notched the first floor perfect 10 of her career, the eighth perfect floor routine in Florida history.
“I didn’t go into it thinking I was going to get a 10,” Baker said. “And then I did the first pass, and I was like, ‘oh, well, maybe.’ And then I did the second pass, and I was like, ‘eh, better.’ And then I landed, and I was like ‘hopefully,’ and then it popped up, so I was really happy.”
Sloan added: “Three 10s. Three different events. It’s just insane.”
Bolstering the Gators’ 49.675 were Sloan and Boren — two of Florida’s three all-around competitors — whose respective scores of 9.975 and 9.925 aided in the squad’s eventual rotational victory.
At the end of the night, UF took three-of-four event wins, once again sweeping the individual accolades.
Sloan once again clinched all-around honors, her fourth-consecutive title complementing a balance beam victory. Baker and Boren split vault honors, while Baker and McMurtry snagged floor and bars wins.
“Really, it’s a testament (to) what we’ve been doing in the gym,” Rowland said. “And what they do in the gym and what they, what I tell them all the time is to be normal. … When they’re normal, in that sense, they are unbelievable.”
Contact Alejandro López at alopez@alligator.org and follow him on Twitter @ajlb95.
UF gymnast Bridget Sloan (right) celebrates with teammate Kennedy Baker after Baker scored a perfect 10.0 on her floor exercise routine during Florida's win against Alabama on Jan. 29, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.
