Sports | Gymnastics - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida’s Alex McMurtry became the first gymnast in UF history to record multiple 10.0s in one meet. “I just had to trust my gut and go for it,” she said.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida moving on from victory over top-ranked Oklahoma

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 28, 2018

In a sold-out O’Connell Center on Friday night, the Florida gymnastics team put on a show for its home crowd. Its efforts didn’t go to waste as the No. 5 Gators (3-1, 1-1 SEC) overcame No. 1 Oklahoma 198.150-198.125. In addition to two perfect 10.0s in one night, Florida also took first in three of its four events.

Senior Alex McMurtry's two perfect 10.0s led the way for the No. 5 Gators as they took down No. 1 Oklahoma by the slimmest margin possible. She now holds the UF record for career 10.0s.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida defeats No. 1 Oklahoma on strength of McMurtry's pair of perfect 10.0s

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 26, 2018

Alex McMurtry didn’t hesitate. Facing the long stretch of mat ahead of her, the All-American threw her hands above her head before bringing them in close to her chest and breaking into a full sprint. A sold-out O’Connell Center watched as she spun into the air and touched her feet down to the ground in her first of two perfect 10.0s of the night.

Coach Jenny Rowland and the No. 5 Gators get their second opportunity to take down the No. 1 team in three weeks at the O'Connell Center tonight. “The Gators are always up for the challenge, and this weekend is not gonna be any different.”

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics team faces No. 1 Oklahoma tonight at O'Connell Center

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 25, 2018

For the second time this season, the UF gymnastics team will host a No. 1 team at home. The No. 5 Gators (2-1, 1-1 SEC) are set to take on No. 1 Oklahoma (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) tonight at 6:45 in the nation’s top gymnastics match of the weekend.

Gymnastics coach Jenny Rowland said her team's improvement throughout its first three meets is apparent, culminating in its win against Kentucky on Friday. “We worked better together as a team,” Rowland said. “The energy was fantastic.”

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics moving on from first SEC win

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 21, 2018

After completing its third meet of the season, the Florida gymnastics team added another win to its record, putting up its first SEC victory of the year.

The No. 6 Gators never trailed in their meet against Kentucky Friday night. But their night was not without its flaws. “It wasn’t a perfect night,” coach Jenny Rowland said. “We made a lot of improvements in different areas from our first road meet, which is always good to see.”

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida wins first SEC meet against Kentucky

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 19, 2018

Kennedy Baker stuck a solid landing, glancing first to the left at her teammates, then to the right at assistant coach Adrian Burde for approval. She smiled at the close of her performance, starting the Gators off with a season-best 9.800 on the uneven bars.

Gymnastics coach Jenny Rowland said she wasn't thinking too much on her team's loss to LSU but instead was looking forward to tonight's matchup against Kentucky. “I’m not one to look back and dwell from day to day,” she said.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Florida gymnastics team looking to win first SEC meet tonight against Kentucky

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 18, 2018

Jenny Rowland was the epitome of positivity on Wednesday. As she led the Florida gymnastic team’s practice, the third-year coach showed no sign of worry, instead displaying confidence in the wake of UF's 197.250-197.125 home loss to LSU on Jan. 12.

SEC Freshman Gymnast of the Week Jazmyn Foberg is part of a young core that will be a big part of Florida's rotation this season. “These freshmen came in ready to fight, determined and nothing is going to stand in their way,” coach Jenny Rowland said.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators moving on from SEC-opening loss to LSU

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 14, 2018

The odds were all lined up in favor of the Florida gymnastics team. After coming off a first-meet win that featured a record-breaking 39.575 all-around score from junior Alicia Boren, the Gators were finally back at home. And for the first time ever, they were performing in front of a sold-out O’Connell Center.

Senior Alex McMurtry posted the top score of the night in uneven bars and tied for second overall in both vault and beam.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators lose to No. 1 LSU in sold out O'Connell Center

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 12, 2018

Rachel Slocum spit into her hands, once, twice, five times. She prepared her stance and sprinted toward the mat, gaining speed until she stopped just short of it. Among encouraging cheers from her teammates, Slocum positioned herself back to the start of the stretch for her second attempt and finished her vault routine with a score of 8.550.

Alicia Boren and the Gators begin their SEC schedule tonight against LSU at the O'Connell Center after an opening-night win against West Virginia. “I’m so excited definitely to get back in front of our home crowd,” Boren said. “They bring a lot of energy.”

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators face No. 1 LSU at home on Friday

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 11, 2018

It’s been seven years since the Florida gymnastics team overcame No. 1 LSU in a regular-season meet. But after opening the 2018 season with a win over West Virginia on Jan. 5, a night that saw junior Alicia Boren register the highest all-around score ever to open a season in program history, No. 7 UF is hoping to end that streak.

Alicia Boren's 39.575 in all-around was a Gators gymnastics opening-day record on Saturday. Boren and the No. 2 Gators are set to take on the No. 3 LSU Tigers on Friday.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

UF moving on after season-opening win against WVU

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 7, 2018

The moment junior Alicia Boren’s feet hit the mat at the end of her uneven bars routine, her face transformed into a smile as bright as the sparkles on her uniform.

Junior Alicia Boren broke UF’s record for the highest all-around score in a season opener in program history, registering a 39.575 all-around score against West Virginia on Friday. The Gators defeated the Mountaineers 195.900-194.425 to open the season 1-0.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators open season with win over West Virginia

By Alana Gomez | Jan. 5, 2018

For the fifth year in a row, the Florida gymnastics team proved that starting off the season away from home has no effect on its performance. The Gators (1-0) kicked off their 2018 schedule with a 195.900-194.425 win over West Virginia (0-1) on Friday night at the WVU Coliseum.