At the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional Second Round, freshman Taylor Clark overcame the tournament pressure to match her collegiate best and exercise mark, raising 9.95 on floor.
It was the highlight of her freshman year as Clark wrapped up her first season as a Gators gymnast.
The rising sophomore from Orange Park, Florida, devoted her life to gymnastics since she was three years old. She would go on to become a floor and vault champion and a Division I athlete.
Taylor described herself as an energetic, active and spontaneous kid, leading one of her mother’s friends to suggest enrolling her in gymnastics. She began attending “mommy and me” gymnastics classes. From there, the sport became an instrumental piece of Taylor’s life.
Taylor committed to gymnastics when one of her coaches saw her potential, telling her she could go far in the sport. She was put on team gymnastics to see where she would go from there.
Taylor continued to grow and carried her passion into high school, when she competed for Florida Elite Gymnastics, an all-encompassing athletic program. She was met with her first setback during her freshman year.
“I lost confidence in myself,” Taylor said. “I didn’t think I was good.”
She initially had her heart set on competing at the University of Georgia. When the university didn’t show interest in her, she thought her gymnastics journey ended. However, after meeting with her coach, she realized there were other colleges she could call home.
Taylor rebuilt her confidence after the rejection and had her best high school season during her sophomore year.
The perfect 10 she received on vault at the Magical Classic in 2023 is one victory that impacted Taylor.
“My coach, unfortunately, had a death in the family and he said, ‘I ask of you one thing, one thing I hope you do is just get a 10,’” Taylor said. “I went to that meet and I said, ‘You know what, I'm going to get a 10,’ and then I got a 10.”
The perfect score clinched her first place on vault for the meet.
She earned a myriad of honors throughout her high school career. In 2022, she was named Alamo Classic all-around and floor exercise champion and U.S. Development Program National Championships Junior D floor exercise champion.
In 2022 and 2023, she grabbed the Region Eight vault champion title and won the 2023 floor exercise title, Florida State floor exercise champion and 2023 all-around runner-up, which just scratches the surface of her accomplishments.
Looking toward college, Taylor needed to find a program that could help her grow.
When looking for the right school, Taylor knew she wanted a balance between strong athletics and academics, she said. She also wanted a diverse school where she could feel welcomed. UF was the right fit, and she announced her commitment in October 2022.
“Her vibrant demeanor when she competes was really fun to watch,” said Florida’s head coach Jenny Rowland about the decision to recruit Taylor. “[I] just knew she would be a great contributor to our team.”
As a Gator, she achieved what she believes to be her biggest accomplishment: competing in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center her first year. Her mom, Erica Clark, agreed.
“Running out on the floor and seeing all of the fans, I just saw her eyes like, ‘Oh my god, I’m here,” Erica said. “That was very warm to us, her family. That was a very special moment.”
Entering the program, Clark emphasized the importance of not just battling her opponents but improving her own abilities.
“There’s definitely a lot of good gymnasts on our team,” she said. “I’m going to have to fight, I’m going to have to work on myself and do the best I can, and if the coaches see that I’m meant to be in the lineup, I’m meant to be in the lineup.”
She cracked the lineup and competed so well she was named SEC All-Freshman team for floor. Taylor went to nationals in her first year.
Taylor attributed her success to her grit and the constant chip on her shoulder.
“I have a lot of determination,” she said. “When I was younger, people said maybe I wouldn't make it far… that fueled me.”
Now, Taylor is setting her goals for next season and beyond. Her sights are set on expanding her competitive success outside of her main events of floor and vault.
While she looks to compete in other events, she said next season she’ll focus on vault.
Taylor’s peers have unwavering confidence in her ability to succeed in any event.
“I love her quietness about her, yet there is a fire, there is a passion that I can see,” Rowland said. “We can all see that she wants to be the best she can be and really wants to help out the Gators to the best of her ability.”
Taylor reflects on the progress she’s made at UF inside and outside the gym. As she moved forward in gymnastics, she furthered her academic career and set herself up for a future outside of her sport.
Her experience led her to come out of her shell.
“Going to Florida has been a joy for her, and her teammates have welcomed her like a little sister,” Erica said. “They have been the big sisters that she's never had. She loved the coaches, and the Florida Gator family has just been very warm and welcoming.”
Excitement surrounds Taylor Clark as she looks ahead to next season, one she’s sure will be “our season.”
Contact Ava DiCecca at adicecca@alligator.org. Follow her on X @avadicecca24.
