Florida Gators

The No. 6 University of Florida gymnasts (8-3, 1-2 SEC) were defeated 197.35-196.85 by No. 2 Georgia (7-3, 4-0 SEC) Friday evening in front of a Stephen C. O'Connell Center crowd of 4,578. Gator freshman Samantha Lutz, making her first collegiate appearance in the all-around, claimed the meet title with a 39.45.

Florida used its first five competitors to open the meet with a season-best vault total of 49.35. That sum also ranks as the third highest vault total in school history. Four Gators turned in marks of 9.85 on the event - Katie Rue, Erinn Dooley, Lutz and Chantelle Tousek. Junior All-American Orley Szmuch claimed the meet's vault title with the Gators' top vault mark of the season, 9.95. Freshman Breanne King was slated to compete last in the UF lineup, but scratched to rest her left ankle that she injured in Monday's practice. She did compete in UF's beam lineup, turning in a 9.80.

Florida also turned in a 49.25 on the uneven bars, using marks of 9.80 or above toward the team tally. Three Gators were among a four-way tie for second in the final bar standings at 9.875 - Erin Pendleton, Kristen Stucky and Lutz. The score set a collegiate-best for Lutz and matched the season-best for Stucky.

The Gators again used marks of 9.80 or above toward their team total on their next event, the balance beam, where they totaled a 49.20. Florida's final two beam performers turned in marks of 9.875 - Stucky and Lutz. It was Lutz's first appearance in the UF beam lineup this season. Both shared second with UGA's Kelsey Ericksen in the final beam standings.

Florida posted a 49.05 on floor. Freshman Savannah Evans and junior Erinn Dooley each turned in season-best marks of 9.875 on the event to lead the Gators. They shared second in the final floor standings with UGA's Michelle Emmons and Kelsey Ericksen.

Lutz's total of 39.45 is the highest total ever by a Gator making her all-around premiere. Dooley, who shared second with former Hill's Gymnastics club teammate Ashley Kupets of UGA at 39.40, joined Lutz on the award's stand. Lutz, who competed in three events in the last two meets, attributed her all-around performance to taking it one event at a time.

"That's what happens when you focus on one event at a time," Lutz said. "It's more fun every time I do this. You just build on each event. I expected to come in tonight and hit my routines."

UF Head Coach Rhonda Faehn was not surprised by Lutz's all-around debut win.

"Sam did a great job tonight. This was her first time in the all-around lineup," Faehn said. "She really starred tonight. I knew she had that type of performance in her though."

UGA's Cory Fritzinger won the uneven bars crown with a 9.90, while teammate Kinsey Rowe used the same score to claim the balance beam title. Chelsa Byrd used a 9.925 to win the floor exercise event.

Up next, the Gators travel to No. 16 Auburn for a SEC dual meet on Friday, Feb. 13. Meet time is set for 8:00 p.m. (ET) in the Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum in Auburn, Ala.