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.
“The team, they fought with a lot of heart, a lot of grit,” coach Jenny Rowland said.
Senior Alex McMurtry dominated the night, notching 10.0s against Oklahoma (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) on beam and vault, both the first in the nation this season. Her perfect scores on Friday night made her the first gymnast in UF history to post two 10.0s in the same meet.
She also became the second gymnast in program history to record a 10.0 in all four events over the course of her career, a feat also performed by former Gator Bridget Sloan. McMurtry’s performance marked her ninth total 10.0 in her time at Florida, elevating her over Sloan’s previous school record of eight.
“I know I’m capable of that 10.0,” McMurtry said. “I just had to trust my gut and go for it.”
The meet started off slowly for the Gators, who trailed Oklahoma in each round. A shift in momentum came during the floor routine when senior Kennedy Baker posted a 9.975 and tied Oklahoma’s Maggie Nichols for first.
Freshman Alyssa Baumann followed by finishing her floor routine with a 9.925, just enough for Florida to clinch the victory by .025.
“I hadn’t really looked at the score, but I knew we needed a good one to anchor it,” Baumann said. “I just went out there and did what I could.”
UF hosted its first top-ranked team at home on Jan. 12, a night that ended in a 197.250-197.125 loss to then-No. 1 LSU. Coming off their win over Oklahoma, the Gators are trying to not let the victory get to their heads. The team is maintaining a humble attitude as it heads into its next meet on the road against No. 17 Auburn on Friday.
“You get to a point in the season where it’s good when there’s no surprises,” Rowland said. “We may have a bump in the road here and there. We’re still learning.”
Follow Alana Gomez on Twitter @alanaa_gomez and contact her at agomez@alligator.org.
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.
