Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The No. 9 University of Florida gymnastics team opened the home season with a 196.175-195.15 loss to No. 1 Georgia in the Subway Challenge, held Friday in front of a Stephen C. O'Connell Center crowd of 5,265. The Gators were close to the GymDogs throughout the meet, but UGA clinched the meet title in the final rotation, going six-for-six on the balance beam. Georgia posted the highest team score of the season, 196.55, last Saturday at Alabama. Florida's score Friday currently stands third in the nation.
 
The Gators were without the services of sophomore All-American Jaime Graziano Friday evening due to a cervical neck sprain she suffered in practice Thursday. She will be evaluated again by team doctors next week.
 
Friday's meet featured some of the nation's top gymnasts, as each team returned four All-Americans this season. All of the meet's event titles were claimed by these All-Americans. Georgia junior Jenni Bethard claimed the meet's all-around title with a total of 38.975, just edging runner-up Chrissy Van Fleet of Florida, who tallied a 38.90. UGA junior Karin Lichey claimed the meet's vault (9.975) and uneven bars titles (9.95), while teammate Kim Arnold won the balance beam crown at 9.925. The evening's floor exercise title was shared by Florida's Susan Hines and Van Fleet at 9.90.
 
Next up, the Gators play host to the Dodge Invitational on Friday, Jan. 30.  Meet time is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.