All-American Gymnast Maranda Smith Granted Sixth Year by NCAA; Will Compete in 2011 Season
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 | Gymnastics
University of Florida gymnast Maranda Smith has been granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA. The four-time All-American has one year of eligibility left and will be a senior for the 2011 season.
"We're very excited for Maranda that she has been granted a sixth year of eligibility," Florida head coach Rhonda Faehn said. "Maranda is a great leader and competitor. I'm sure the Gator fans will enjoy seeing her compete for another year. She has been and will continue to be a wonderful ambassador for the University of Florida and the sport of gymnastics.”
Smith has appeared in Florida's competitive lineup for every meet but one in the last three years since joining the Gator program for the 2008 season. She started her collegiate career at UCLA in 2006, but injuries ended her Bruin career after just two meets.
| Click here to read 2010 Gator Gymnastics meet program feature on Maranda Smith |
Last season, Smith was second among the Gators with nine event titles (five uneven bar wins, two each in vault and floor exercise). She earned All-America first-team honors by advancing to the NCAA Individual Event Final for the uneven bars, where she tied for fifth (9.90). At the NCAA North Central Region Championships, Smith scored a 9.90 in each of the three events she competed (vault, bars, floor) and earned a share of the meet's bars and floor titles. Her runner-up finish in the Southeastern Conference floor exercise competition earned her a spot on the 2010 All-SEC second team.
“I'm so grateful that the NCAA granted me another year of eligibility,” Smith said. “I'm really looking forward to competing with my Gator teammates again and having another chance to compete in front of the O'Connell Center fans is truly a gift.”
Smith earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll each of the last two years and received her bachelor's degree in anthropology and a minor in communications in May of 2010. She will begin pursuit of a master's degree in health education and behavior this fall.
Smith is one of 10 returning letterwinners off the 2010 Gator gymnastics team that claimed the SEC Championship, won the program's sixth consecutive NCAA Regional team title and took fifth in the NCAA Super Six team final.
