The Gators rolled up to the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center prepared to defend their conference title, but after small mistakes, mild sicknesses and pestering injuries, they fell short.
No. 1 Florida (17-2, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) was edged out of the SEC Championship by Alabama (17-1, 5-1) on Saturday, as the Crimson Tide scored a 197.225 to UF’s 196.975.
The Gators kicked off the meet with a phenomenal warm-up and aggressive performances on bars, but the competition went south when the team entered its beam and floor routines.
“It just seemed like the athletes got really tight and had some uncharacteristic wobbles that we normally don’t have,” said coach Rhonda Faehn, who was named SEC Coach of the Year in a post-meet ceremony.
Freshman Mackenzie Caquatto, a usual beam star, had to sit out after rolling an ankle in practice last week. Sophomore Ashanée Dickerson, who felt under the weather throughout the competition, posted a 9.625.
“Poor Nay,” Faehn said. “Coming off the bus, she had flu-like symptoms. She felt like she was going to throw up pretty much most of the night.”
Dickerson stuck it out and competed in all four events, joining freshman Alaina Johnson in the all-around.
Although the beam lineup was missing Caquatto, whom Faehn said is the team’s top performer in the event, senior Alicia Goodwin stepped up to round out the squad and scored a 9.9 — the best of her college career.
However, the Gators failed to maintain their momentum on floor exercise, mainly due to landing mistakes on tumbling passes.
Johnson and senior Maranda Smith came through for the Gators with their performances, each earning a 9.9.
Johnson’s combined scores earned her the second place in the all-around, and she earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors following the competition.
The freshman said she loved every minute of the meet, but in the end, the little flaws were too much for the Gators to overcome.
“Everything counts,” she said. “We just weren’t quite as aggressive as we should’ve been. Even though we got second, that just makes us want to work harder in the gym and focus on every detail and every thing up for nationals.”
With a week off before the NCAA Regional Championships, Faehn said she is focused on getting her athletes back in the gym and getting their bodies healthy again.
