Gators gymnast Kayla DiCello became the 2023 Pan American Games all-around champion. She’s the first United States woman to win an all-around gold at the Pan Am Games since 2011.
She came in first and took down Brazilian Flavia Saraiva. DiCello finished first with a score of 54.699 for first place, while Saraiva finished in second with a 54.565.
DiCello is taking a gap year at UF to pursue her goal of the 2024 Olympics. Earlier in the month, she also won gold as an alternate on the U.S.’s 2023 World Championships team along with her UF teammates Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong.
The Gators gymnast was named the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year. DiCello earned five All-American honors, with two from the NCAA and three from the Women’s College Gymnastics Association.
DiCello earned eight SEC Freshman of the Week awards in her first year in Gainesville.
She will return to the Gators for the 2025 season following her gap year.
Contact Jackson Reyes at jacksonreyes@alligator.org. Follow him @JacksnReyes.
Jackson Reyes is a UF journalism senior and The Alligator's Fall 2023 Sports Editor. He previously served as Digital Managing Editor and was a reporter and assistant editor on the sports desk. In his free time, he enjoys collecting records, long walks on the beach and watching Bo Nix.
