When Ashanée Dickerson stepped on the mat Saturday at the NCAA Southeast Regional, memories of the 2011 postseason flew through her head.
Last year, she stumbled at regionals, falling on balance beam (8.475) and posting a career-worst all-around total of 38.
As much as Dickerson tried to focus on the present and not think of the Gators’ struggles at the end of last season, the past eventually served as fuel for her Saturday afternoon.
“Yes, it did motivate us a lot,” the junior all-around competitor said. “We just went out there and did our job.”
Dickerson scored a season-best 39.65 to claim the all-around title, as No. 1 seed Florida recorded a 197.325 to win its seventh regional championship in eight years in the Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C.
The regional all-around victory was the second of her career. In 2010, she notched a 39.70 for the individual title at the NCAA Salt Lake City Regional.
“Ashanée was just lights out,” coach Rhonda Faehn said.
“She went out and competed very aggressively. I had no doubt that she was going to do a great job.”
Dickerson tallied a 9.95 on vault and a 9.9 on her other three events after sticking all of her landings.
She shared the vault title with UF sophomore Alaina Johnson and tied for the uneven bars win with North Carolina State’s Rachel Fincham. She also placed second on beam and floor exercise.
“For an athlete to do that, it’s extremely incredible on all four events,” Faehn said. “It’s something, as a coach, that you cannot expect an athlete to do that every single competition.
“On vault, she just stuck it. It was huge and she didn’t move at all on the landing. She did the best vault she’s done all year. It was a very well deserved score.”
In addition to Florida’s fate last postseason, Dickerson found extra motivation in other areas Saturday.
For the first time this year, both of Dickerson’s parents showed up to watch her
compete.
“It was really special,” Dickerson said. “I just wanted to go out and compete for them. But I kind of just did what I do in practice every day and had fun with my teammates.”
The Gators won at least a share of each event title at the regional. Johnson also tied Dickerson on uneven bars, while Marissa King (9.925) took home the win on beam and freshman Kytra Hunter (9.95) earned first place on floor.
Florida learned after its meet Saturday that its competition on the first day of the NCAA Championships will be No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Georgia, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 9 Oregon State and No. 12 Ohio State.
The three top-scoring teams on April 20 will advance to the Super Six, which will be held the next day.
The Gators own a 6-1 record this season against the field.
“It’s back to business,” Dickerson said. “We want to win the national championships, so we’re gonna give it our all the next two weeks.”
