Jump to college sparks change of focus for freshmen
By ALLISON BANKO | Jan. 19, 2011It used to be every gymnast for herself. Now, they give it all for the team.
It used to be every gymnast for herself. Now, they give it all for the team.
Following the Florida gymnastics squad’s first meet Jan. 7, coach Rhonda Faehn said the team would be playing around with its lineups this season, allowing some athletes to rest while others gain exposure in new events.
With a sprinkle
The Gators have already made a deep footprint in the college gymnastics realm this season.
The crowds may not recognize her just yet, but she’s proven she’s not going anywhere. The Florida gymnastics team debuted freshman Alaina Johnson at last week’s meet against Nebraska, and she made history.
The bejeweled blue leotards that hugged the Gators gymnastics squad weren’t the only things that shined on the O’Connell Center mats Friday night. No. 3 Florida squashed No. 10 Nebraska with a final score of 196.925 to 194.950.
The bejeweled blue leotards that hugged the Gators gymnastics squad weren’t the only things that shined on the Stephen C. O’Connell Center mats.
A glittering sign that reads, “what are U made oF?” dangles in the Ted Crom Gymnastics Studio, just above the countdown clock for tonight’s meet against No. 10 Nebraska.
Maranda Smith has been through a lot in her college career, which was thought to have ended in April.
The Super Six appeared to be dead, but the NCAA resurrected it.
Twenty-four hours after having the worst all-around performance of her career, Florida freshman Marissa King had a historic day for the Gators.
All week, the coaches at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships spoke about parity in the sport.
It didn’t start out pretty for the second-seeded Gators on Thursday night, but that didn’t stop them from reaching their fifth-consecutive Super Six.
Reaching the top of the college gymnastics world is a no easy feat. Only four teams have won the national title in the sport’s previous 28 years — Utah, Georgia, Alabama and UCLA.
For senior Maranda Smith, the pain is always there. It’s just a matter of how much it hurts.
Florida didn’t get off to the start it wanted to in the NCAA North Central Regional, much like its rough start at the Southeastern Conference Championships.
Heading into their final event of the NCAA North Central Regional, the Gators needed at least a 48.825 to surpass No. 10 Utah, which went into the rotation as the meet’s leader on the scoreboard.
If Florida hopes to advance to the NCAA Championships for the 28th time in the event’s 29-year history, the Gators will have to get past a couple of familiar foes Saturday.
All season, the No. 4 Gators have talked about how if the team hopes to win a national title, then the gymnasts need to peak at the right time.
Senior Rebekah Zaiser describes herself as a perfectionist — both on the gymnastics floor and in the classroom — and it shows.