Graduate student Trinity Thomas is no stranger to success.
She made history against the No. 17 Georgia Bulldogs. Her performance helped the Florida Gators’ gymnastics program to the longest regular-season winning streak in Southeastern Conference history.
The No. 2 Florida Gators (6-0) competed at home against Georgia (5-4) Friday night for the Gators’ alumni night. The Gators finished with a score of 197.900, edging out Georgia, which finished with a score of 196.850.
The Gators won all four events and put on a show for the sold-out Stephen C. O’Connell Center. This is Florida’s third sold-out crowd this season; there were 9,586 people in attendance.
Thomas achieved history as the only gymnast in NCAA history to get four gym slams. She earned her fourth career gym slam — when a gymnast scores a perfect 10 on every event — after she earned a 10.0 on the vault.
Despite her recent success, Thomas said she hasn’t always excelled in the vault.
“I think it is something that took time, and I needed to build my confidence on it,” Thomas said.
Freshman Kayla DiCello had a standout performance this evening after claiming her third SEC weekly honor of the season. DiCello scored a 9.900 in uneven bars and beam.
Junior Victoria Nguyen tied with Thomas at 9.925 for a win in the floor routine. Nguyen transferred to Florida from Georgia after she spent two seasons with the Bulldogs.
“To be honest, I was all in for the Gators,’ Nguyen said. “When you are in the O’Dome, it feels like a family,” Nguyen said.
Florida head coach Jenny Rowland said she was grateful to coach the Gators and watch them grow.
“It is a great testament to the team as how dedicated they are inside and outside of the gym,” Rowland said.
Thomas led the Gators to a win in vault with a score of 10.0. Sophomore Leanne Wong and Thomas tied for first in uneven bars with a score of 9.975. Wong secured another win in beam with a score of 9.925. Nguyen and Thomas tied in floor with a score of 9.925. Wong added another all-around win to her record with a score of 39.650.
Florida finished with a score of 49.425 in vault, and Georgia got a score of 49.200. In uneven bars, the Gators earned a score of 49.575; the Bulldogs trailed close behind with a score of 49.350.
For beam, Florida ended with a 49.475 to beat Georgia’s 49.075. UF finished with a score of 49.425, while the Bulldogs earned a score of 49.225.
Florida’s next meet will be against the No. 23 Arkansas Razorbacks. The teams will face off at 7:45 p.m. Feb. 3 in Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The match will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Contact Jori Rzepecki at jrzepecki@alligator.org. Follow her on Twitter @jorirzepecki.
Jori Rzepecki is a first-year journalism major and the Gymnastics reporter for The Alligator. In her free time, she enjoys binge-watching television shows and reading books.
