In a hostile environment in Auburn Friday night, the No. 1 Florida Gators gymnastics team set the tone early with a dominant showing on uneven bars. Leading the way, Riley McCusker posted a near-perfect 9.975, the highest score of the meet regardless of event.
Up by 0.475 after the opening rotation, it looked like it would be another dominant performance by the Gators. But the vault had different plans.
Sophomore Ly Bui’s extended leg collided with the mat, and she went down with a significant injury. Then, freshman Amelia Disidore fell to her feet, unable to stick a landing. Overall, the Gators only scored 48.600 on the vault, putting them behind Auburn halfway through the meet.
However, the Gators responded, scoring 49.425 on floor and 49.450 on beam to topple the Tigers 197.100-167.700. UF remains undefeated in its 2025-26 campaign.
McCusker’s high mark led one of Florida’s strongest bar rotations of the season. Behind her, Anya Pilgrim, Skye Blakely and Selena Harris-Miranda each posted 9.925 scores, which gave Florida immediate control of the meet’s pace.
Despite Bui’s injury and Disidore’s stumble, Denie Ferris and Selena Harris-Miranda rescued the rotation., Harris-Miranda delivered a meet-best 9.950, while Ferris posted a 9.925.
On the floor exercise, Florida continued its momentum, highlighted by a 9.875 from Jayla Booker, Disidore, Ferris and eMjae Frazier. Meanwhile, Skye Blakely posted an impressive 9.925.
The energy carried into Florida’s overall team total as the Gators closed rotations on top.
Closing out on beam, the Gators were consistent, with Blakely, Frazier and Harris-Miranda all posting 9.000 or better. Harris-Miranda has scored no lower than a 9.950 on the event this season.
While the Gators were victorious over Auburn, their spot atop the Race to Nationals rankings will be vacated heading into next week. Oklahoma, which posted an NCAA-best 198.425 score against Georgia on Friday, will claim the top spot.
Meanwhile, UF will drop to third, where they will be tied with Alabama. LSU is expected to jump to No. 2.
Florida will return home as they face Arkansas on Jan. 30 at 7:15 p.m.
Seth is a junior sports journalism student in his first semester with the Alligator covering gymnastics. He has prior experience covering beats for highschool football during his time at WRUF. During his free time you can see him walking around Gainesville or binge-watching the latest and greatest shows on TV.
