On a night when her entire team performed well and swept first place in every event, UF coach Rhonda Faehn was most proud of how the Gators performed on the balance beam.
The team recorded a season-high 49.475 on beam, led by a 9.95 from senior Rebekah Zaiser, en route to a season-high total of 197.550 in a tri-meet victory over North Carolina (194.225) and Ball State (191.350) Friday night in the O’Connell Center.
“It was just one right after another with no wobbles,” Faehn said. “‘Bekah was phenomenal, not one wobble and she stuck her dismount… It was a beautiful beam routine, and I was so happy for her.”
The 9.95 was a collegiate best for the senior, who returned this season after breaking her foot last year and requiring two major surgeries.
“I’ve been waiting a long time to nail a beam routine like that,” Zaiser said. “I’ve always had a little hop on my dismount or something that’s been getting in the way of performing to my potential…. I’m glad I was able to put it out there tonight.”
Zaiser was hardly the only gymnast for No. 4 Florida (8-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) to shine Friday night.
Seven different Gators combined for at least a share of an event title in the triangular, including a tie for the meet’s all-around title between freshmen Ashanée Dickerson and Marissa King, who each totaled a 39.475.
The all-around title was Dickerson’s sixth of the season, which puts her in elite company. She joins former Gators Elfi Schlegel and Corey Hartung as the only gymnasts in school history to take home at least six all-around titles as a freshman.
For King, it was her first all-around title of the season, which she said she is glad to share with Dickerson.
“It keeps both of us on our toes. For me to be up there and finally be at her level is phenomenal because she’s such a great, consistent, solid gymnast,” King said. “I do look up to her every week she’s up there winning those titles, so it’s great for me to be up there with her now.”
As much praise as Faehn had for each gymnast’s individual routines, she was really pleased with how the team came together for a strong performance heading into a two-week break from competition before closing out the regular season against Utah on March 19.
“They were so calm and so confident at the same time,” Faehn said. “They weren’t necessarily going through the motions, but they just let their bodies take over… It was a good balance they had tonight.”
