Short-handed Gators ready for NCAA Championships
Apr. 15, 2009Nothing to lose. It's cliche.
Nothing to lose. It's cliche.
Maybe it's fitting that the NCAA Championships signal the arrival of summer for the UF gymnastics team, much like exam week in the spring is the sign of summer for students.
It has elements of Tae Bo, dancing and gymnastics all rolled into one.
In a troupe consisting of Bruins, Pioneers, Gophers, Cyclones and Hawkeyes, the Gators emerged victorious from the menagerie.
From underdog to top dog, the UF gymnastics team will be playing a different role Saturday at the NCAA North Central Regional Competition in Iowa City, Iowa.
Maranda Smith opened her eyes and screamed.
Desire. Phenomenal. Believe. Heart.
For the UF gymnastics team, travel isn't all business en route to the next meet. There is certainly some leisure to be found.
The UF gymnastics roster has 12 names on it. Only seven of those names were able to compete at the Southeastern Conference Championships on Saturday.
You may have heard, but in case you haven't: The UF gymnastics team is hurting. Bad.
When Amanda Castillo stung her ankle against Utah on Friday, UF (6-4, 3-3 Southeastern Conference) could only hope it was a minor injury.
The injury bug didn't just bite the UF gymnastics team. It's setting up house.
On a night Corey Hartung envisioned waving to the crowd after her floor exercise, she instead will face the harsh reality of not competing, waving to the crowd from the floor with her family, dressed up to cheer and coach while wearing a protective boot.
You know the feeling you get when you're trying to impress somebody, and you're hoping more than anything else you don't mess up?
A white Hyundai Sonata cruises onto the turnpike blaring country music through scenic Pennsylvania.
The Gators had a good meet. The Bulldogs had an exceptional one.
UF and Georgia. Two schools that just don't like each other. A textbook example of rivals. Be it on the gridiron, in the pool, on the hardwood, even in a spitting contest.
It's a minute and a half of pure euphoria and a demonstration of personality unlike any other gymnastics event.
UF coach Rhonda Faehn said last week that the Alabama meet might provide the best gymnastics the O'Connell Center saw all year.
Gators fans may be in for a treat tonight at 7 at the O'Connell Center when UF hosts No. 8 Alabama.