Florida Gators

University of Florida head gymnastics coach Judi Markell notched her 100^th regular-season win Friday evening in front of a Stephen C. O'Connell Center crowd of 1,910. The No. 7 Gators posted a 195.95-192.60 win over the No. 9 Oklahoma Sooners in the Boots, Beam and Backflips competition. Gator freshman Kara Waterhouse took the podium for each event, winning four out of five titles.

Coach Markell, who now owns a 100-64-1 record in her nine seasons at UF, believes the team is pulling together as a whole, "There's a great effort going on. There's no star. If one gymnast struggles a little, another steps in for her."

Waterhouse earned her first collegiate all-round title by matching the Gator season-best all-around total of 39.375. When asked how she felt about winning her first title Waterhouse laughed in response, "I did kind of surprise myself." Waterhouse becomes the first Gator freshman since the 1998 season to claim an all-around title. Oklahoma's Mariana Goncalves placed second, scoring 39.275. Hilary Thompson was third with a 39.20.

Three Gators stepped to the top of the podium Friday in the vault competition. Waterhouse, Teal Chiabotti, and Lindsey Miner all earned 9.825, sharing first place. The score was a collegiate-best for Waterhouse and Miner, and marked the third consecutive vault title taken by Chiabotti.

The uneven parallel bars also offered success to Florida. Second place was shared by Krissy Dreger, Gabby Fuchs, and Jenny Carow with identical marks of 9.825. Waterhouse scored a 9.850, attaining her first collegiate bars title.

Waterhouse claimed her fourth event title on the beam, matching her collegiate-best mark of 9.90. Thompson took second place with a score of 9.850. Third place was shared by Fuchs, Carow, and Oklahoma's Alison Mayberry, with scores of 9.80.

The floor was the only event won by a Sooner. Goncalves took first place with a 9.925. Thompson placed second with a 9.875, and third place was shared by Waterhouse and Miner, as each turned in marks of 9.80.

Up next is No. 12 Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge for a dual meet on February 16. Florida's next home meet, the Rydell High Reunion presented by Gatorade, is Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m.

Team Totals