Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla.- It came down to the last routine of the night, but the No. 10 University of Florida gymnastics team successfully won the Rydell High Reunion meet.  In front of a crowd of 2,537 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, the Florida gymnasts posted a 195.175 to claim a narrow win over No. 8 Iowa State (195.075), University of Kentucky (193.700), and Ball State (193.500).
 
Florida had a presence on every event awards podium Friday. Lindsey Miner and Teal Chiabotti tied for second with Iowa State's Karen Kuplicki in the vault competition with scores of 9.80.  First place (9.825) was taken by Kentucky's Beth Coleman.  But the Gators were dealt a blow when senior Gabby Fuchs slightly hyperextended both knees on her vault landing.  "When I landed, I felt my legs hyperextend a bit.  They still ache a bit."  Fuchs did return for the uneven bars, but abstained from the beam and floor exercise as a precautionary measure.
 
Two Gators fell during their uneven bars routines, forcing the Gators to count a fall toward their event team total. But despite their struggles, the Gators' Kara Waterhouse placed third, scoring 9.825.  Second place, 9.875, went to Iowa State's Sissy Huey.  Florida freshman Erin Pendleton made her first ever trip to the podium, placing first with a collegiate-best score of 9.90.
 
The Gators found themselves trailing the Cyclones by .55 after the balance beam when they again were forced to count a fall. Despite Jenny Carow's third place score (9.85), the Gators had to battle to remain in the hunt for a team victory. Iowa State's Courtney Sarrett shared third place honors with Carow, and first place was a tie between Iowa State's Mandy Smith and Huey at 9.875.
 
The floor exercise is where Florida turned on the energy to try to close the gap.  Miner posted a collegiate-best score of 9.90 to tie for second place.  Kentucky's Aronda Priemault and Iowa State's Huey also placed second.  But the opportunity of a team victory fell upon the final exercise of the night.  Hilary Thompson took the floor, understanding her performance would determine the night's outcome, and she made her floor routine count.  With a collegiate-best score of 9.975, Thompson took first place and gave the Gators the narrow win. Thompson, "I was so surprised.  I didn't expect that score." It was her fourth floor win of the season.
 
The Gators were well represented on the all-around podium.  Thompson took third place with a 39.025, while Waterhouse was runner-up at 39.10. First place was awarded to Iowa State's Huey with her all-around score of 39.225.
 
Although overall outcome was positive, it was a bumpy ride for Florida.  When asked how she felt about the win, Coach Judi Markell responded, "It's not very satisfying.  Of course, as always, you try to look at the bright spot, and we came back strong.  It was a photo finish." 
 
The Gators return to action Sunday, March 4 when it meets No. 6 Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., for a dual meet. Thompson felt that tonight's ending put the team in the right frame of mind for the upcoming meet.  "We have a meet on Sunday.  So, it was definitely a good thing that we ended on a positive note."   
 

Team Totals

	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	rank	Total
Florida	48.800	48.475	48.575	49.325	1	195.175
Iowa State	48.625	48.775	48.600	49.075	2	195.075
Kentucky	48.700	48.525	48.450	49.025	3	193.700
Ball State	48.475	48.650	48.150	48.225	4	193.500