The Gators gymnastics team competes for the first time at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center on Friday. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: New Faces and New Spaces for UF Gymnastics
Friday, January 13, 2017 | Gymnastics, Scott Carter
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The Gators compete for the first time in Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center tonight.
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Brace yourself Florida gymnastics fans. When you walk through the doors tonight for the Gators' first home meet of the season, it's going to be different.
Sure, the sparkling new Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center is going to be perhaps the star of the night for many who have yet to visit the revamped building. And if it is your first trip inside, get ready to be wowed.
But there's another major difference you will notice once Florida and Kentucky hit the floor. For the first time since 2011, neither Kytra Hunter nor Bridget Sloan will be one of those in an orange and blue leotard. Hunter completed her career after the 2015 season and Sloan's career ended following the 2016 campaign.
Over the five seasons in which at least one of them competed for Florida, the Gators reached new heights, including three consecutive national titles (2013-15) during the three seasons they were teammates.
"We lost legacies,'' freshman Maegan Chant said. "We lost a lot of good people. We are trying to live up to what they have accomplished."
While the program has been defined in recent years by the Hunter and Sloan and national titles, there is clearly a new tone entering 2017.
The Gators enter the season near the top of the national rankings as usual and have plenty of talent returning, led by the foursome of Claire Boyce, Alicia Boren, Kennedy Baker and Alex McMurtry, a group that owns a combined 12 All-American honors. Maegan Chant
Yet for the Gators to do what they do – compete for the national title – they will rely heavily on their freshmen to fill in the blanks.
Hundley is ready to move past the jitters of last week's season-opening win at North Carolina State in her first collegiate meet and experience her first performance at home.
"I think it was a really good start to the season,'' she said. "We all got out there and tested the waters. I feel more confident coming into this meet but still a little nervous because the energy is going to be crazy. I have to control that. Picturing those seats filled is going to be amazing."
Hundley and Chant are no strangers to performing in front of large crowds. Both competed in the 2015 Pan American Games and have various experiences on the international elite gymnastics circuit.
Gators freshman Amelia Hundley. (Photo: UAA Communications)
But as Hunter and Sloan talked about when they got to Florida, competing on a college team is much different than on the international scene. They clearly had no problem making the adjustment.
Now it's time for others to stamp their identity on the program.
"Everyone brings something to the team and I think that's what we feed off," Hundley said. "We have a strong freshman class and I think we can all contribute in our own way. We're pretty focused and motivated right now that if we do the job, we'll have a great season."
But there's another major difference you will notice once Florida and Kentucky hit the floor. For the first time since 2011, neither Kytra Hunter nor Bridget Sloan will be one of those in an orange and blue leotard. Hunter completed her career after the 2015 season and Sloan's career ended following the 2016 campaign.
