Freshman Amelia Hundley claimed the all-around title on Friday night with an impressive performance against Auburn. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/For UAA Communications)
Freshman Hundley An All-Around Threat for Gators
Friday, January 27, 2017 | Gymnastics, Scott Carter
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She won the first all-around title of her young career on Friday night in Florida's SEC win over Auburn.
By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It was a shining example of what makes UF gymnastics one of the best deals money can buy in this town.
The third-ranked Gators packed them in as usual in Friday night's victory over Auburn at Exactech Arena. More than 9,000 fans turned out for the annual Link to Pink meet and witnessed Florida (4-0) post a season-high score of 197.700 in dispatching of the Tigers.
You prefer a dramatic finish to go along with your popcorn? Junior Kennedy Baker delivered with a perfect 10 on her floor routine, sending fans toward the exit still waving their pompoms.
"Lots of positives,'' second-year Gators coach Jenny Rowland said. "Just an overall memorable evening."
There were several moments that made Florida's victory in front of the sixth-largest crowd in program history worth remembering.
The one that stood out to this casual chronicler of the sport came during true freshman Amelia Hundley's first pass on her floor routine. Hundley arrived at UF with the kind of credentials that you expect from a highly celebrated recruit.
She finished ninth in the U.S. Olympic Trials last summer to close out her Elite career, a journey that included eight international appearances for Team USA.
And then you get to see those credentials on display right before your eyes. A 5-foot-5 bundle of power, Hundley shot high into the air on her first pass before her muscular legs returned to the ground. The crowd roared and Hundley continued to put on a dazzling performance.
Freshman Amelia Hundley posted a career-best score to claim the all-around title Friday. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/For UAA Communications)
While Baker turned in the evening's most spectacular performance, Hundley's dynamic outing stretched over all four routines. Hundley was at her best on the uneven bars (9.950), and added a 9.850 on vault and floor, and a 9.900 on beam.
In the end, her 39.550 earned Hundley the first all-around title of her young collegiate career. The 19-year-old from Cincinnati flashed a huge smile when she learned of the victory during the awards ceremony.
"I wasn't expecting that at all when they called my name,'' Hundley said. "It was really neat. I'm more happy about the team doing so well. I enjoyed the whole experience."
Hundley has competed in all-around in each of Florida's first four meets and in the season opener at North Carolina State scored a 39.375, the second-highest in program history for a freshman in a season opener.
Hundley said after Friday's win there is "room for improvement," which is undoubtedly true, but she is also undoubtedly talented.
"A super powerful athlete but very composed,'' Rowland said. "She has a great mindset that she can focus and hone in and shut everything off except what she's got to do. She has that ability to just get up there and do what she knows how to do every time."
And yet Rowland said Hundley spent time in practice this week on finding the right balance in that mindset. Sometimes Hundley has the urge to move on to Point B before she is done at Point A.
When she slows down she can be a difference-maker.
"She's been working a lot in the gym, just focusing and working in the moment,'' Rowland said. "That was a challenge I challenged her on beam tonight … on every event. She sometimes gets ahead of herself and forgets you've got to do one skill at a time, one routine at a time."
Looked on Friday as if Hundley found that rhythm Rowland is after. She certainly found some air on that first pass of her floor routine.
You prefer a dramatic finish to go along with your popcorn? Junior Kennedy Baker delivered with a perfect 10 on her floor routine, sending fans toward the exit still waving their pompoms.
