Despite sickness, UF gymnastics team hoping to rebound
By Lauren Staff | Feb. 9, 2017Alex McMurtry was ready to make her 2017 floor debut.
Alex McMurtry was ready to make her 2017 floor debut.
Prior to beginning her career at Florida, the largest crowd that Sierra Alexander had ever performed in front of was just 100, and even then it was made up of mostly parents and friends.
Alabama junior Kiana Winston stepped onto the floor in front of a crowd of more than 14,000 in Tuscaloosa and delivered perfection.
As Alex McMurtry mounted the beam, the Alabama crowd erupted.
With All-Americans like Alex McMurtry and Kennedy Baker on Florida’s roster, it’s easy for junior Grace McLaughlin to get overshadowed by her talented teammates. But while the Gators have been breaking records four meets into the season, McLaughlin has quietly been having a breakout season of her own.
In the last routine of the meet, junior All-American Kennedy Baker stepped up to the mat.
Tonight's meet is more than just a battle between No. 3 Florida and No. 16 Auburn in the O’Connell Center.
Alex McMurtry knew her junior season was going to be different than her first two years in Gainesville.
The last time Florida hosted Auburn, UF coach Jenny Rowland was there.
It was just a matter of time.
The Gators entered the 2017 season with many unknowns.
Rachel Slocum stands at 5-foot-3.
It had been 308 days since the Gators competed in a home meet in the O’Connell Center.
Rachel Slocum ran towards the vault.
It’s finally their turn.
It only took Amelia Hundley one meet to break a school record.
Jenny Rowland wasn’t looking for perfection from her team in its first meet of the season on the road at N.C. State.
2016 was the beginning and the end of an era for gymnastics in Gainesville.
Florida’s team theme in 2016 was, “You are destined to go far.”
One of Florida gymnastics’ most celebrated athletes added another award to her collegiate career.