Megan Skaggs is one of four freshmen for the 2018 Gators. "She has unlimited potential on all four events for us,” UF Head Coach Jenny Rowland says. (Photo: Erin Long/UAA Communications)
Megan Skaggs: Peachtree State Native Pleased She Picked Gators
Wednesday, February 14, 2018 | Gymnastics
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The freshmen loves being a part of the team-oriented Gator program.
By: Alexia Schmidt, UF Athletics Communications
Megan Skaggs' parents may have forced her to tour UF, but now nothing could keep her from being a Gator.
From Marietta, Ga., she always thought she would go to the University of Georgia, but she said something felt right in Gainesville.
"When I stepped on campus, I kind of had some doubts. I was like, 'Maybe I do like this. Maybe Georgia's not the place,'" Skaggs said.
Skaggs' freshman year has shown her that UF is the perfect place for her.
"I love so much about being a Gator. Just being a part of the team, working with them and building relationships with the girls is my favorite part because they're like sisters now." Megan Skaggs celebrates her Jan. 26 balance beam routine. She's competed in at least one event in every meet this season.
Both of Skaggs' parents attended UF and met in Gainesville. She said they were thrilled when she told them she wanted to be a Gator. Now, they come to every home meet to Gator chomp proudly.
"Obviously they wanted me to go to Florida, but they told me it was my decision," Skaggs said.
Though she has been in gymnastics since she was four, Skaggs said competing for the university has changed her outlook on the sport and training.
"I've definitely changed to be more team-oriented, and I love that you get to train with a team," Skaggs said. "You train more for perfection rather than training a lot of numbers. I like that because obviously I'm a perfectionist, being a gymnast." Megan Skaggs (upper right) loves the Gator team atmosphere.
Skaggs was a member of the 2014-2015 U.S. Senior National Team and a member of the U.S. gold medal team at the 2015 Pan American Games with current Gators Rachel Gowey and Amelia Hundley. She said being a part of that team was a life-changing moment.
"That feeling of pride in representing your country and just being so thankful for everyone who helped me get there was an amazing experience," she said.
Florida Head Coach Jenny Rowland has big dreams for Skaggs.
"It's been great to see how she's evolved just within a short period of time," Rowland said.
She said that Skaggs clearly displays a team-first mentality when she comes to practice.
"She has such a huge heart. She is definitely one of, if not the hardest, worker on this team," Rowland said. "She comes in prepared and ready to go every day, and you would never know if she had a bad day outside of the gym or not."
Rowland said that she has seen Skaggs breaking out of her shell throughout the season.
"I think that confidence is building and rising, and she has unlimited potential on all four events for us," Rowland said.
