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Friday, March 29, 2024

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The No. 5 Utah’s gymnastics team huddled together and chanted,

“Utes rock the house all the way down.” 

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But the Gators were the ones who left unshaken. 

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No. 1 Florida capped off their regular season with a 197 to 196.75

victory against the Red Rocks in company of a record setting crowd

of 15,558 in Utah’s Huntsman Center.

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Although it was a full house, the UF gymnasts didn’t experience the

usual jeers from fans they’ve endured from previous away

competitions against LSU and Georgia. 

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fact, this road meet was served with a spoonful of sugar. 

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Because it was Utah’s Senior Night, they treated Florida seniors

Maranda Smith and Alicia Goodwin to red roses.  

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“The crowd here is known for being appreciative of great

gymnastics,” coach Rhonda Faehn said. “We always enjoy coming out

here.” 

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The meet was a 180 from last week’s loss against Arkansas, where

the athletes were noticeably off beat, as Alaina Johnson and

Ashanée Dickerson both fell in their beam routines. 

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Against Utah, it was a different story. 

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Despite Johnson slightly stumbling on her landing, she received a

solid 9.8 on her routine. The score, blended with her three-way

first place finish on bars, four-way tie for first on vault and 9.8

on floor, propelled the freshman all-arounder to the Most Valuable

Performer for Florida. 

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She placed second in the all-around with a total of 39.425. 

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stayed in the moment,” Johnson said. “There was actually a huge

crowd, which I like. The bigger the better.”

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Dickerson three-way tied for first on beam with a 9.875. 

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Sophomore Marissa King joined Dickerson and Johnson in the

all-around category, marking King’s all-around debut for the

season. The senior hasn’t performed in the spot due to foot and

shoulder injuries suffered earlier in the season. 

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“Marissa is a fighter,” Faehn said. “Her beam I thought was

wonderful. That was great again, the first time hitting her routine

since before hurting her arch.”

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Ending the season on this high note is far different than the aura

of the team’s only loss a mere seven days ago. 

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think that last week was a great kick in the pants,” Faehn said.

“It showed tonight. They came out with renewed focus and passion.

They were very hungry.”

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