Florida's senior class (from left - Alex McMurtry, Kennedy Baker, team manager Casey McLaughlin, Grace McLaughlin and Rachel Slocum. The Gators closed home action with a 197.925 - 196.70 win over No 13 Nebraska.
No. 5 Florida Closes Home Action With Win Over No. 13 Nebraska
Gator senior Alex McMurtry left an impression in her final O'Connell Center appearance, claiming at least a share of each of the five event titles. Her 39.825 shares UF's all-around record.
By: Mary Howard
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – No. 5 Florida gymnastics closed home action with a 197.925 – 196.70 win Friday evening over No. 13 Nebraska in front of 5,648 at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
It was a night of records mixed with a few tears.
Friday's meet was the final home appearance for Florida's four-member senior class – Kennedy Baker, Grace McLaughlin, Alex McMurtry and Rachel Slocum. They, along with team manager Casey McLaughlin, were honored in a post-meet ceremony. Some notables about this class:
Baker, McLaughlin and McMurtry part of Florida's 2015 NCAA and 2016 SEC Championship teams
Turned in a 49-13 regular season record since 2015
18-2 in home action
Performed 423 routines as part of the Gators' competitive lineup, with 201 of those scored a 9.9 or better
For the second time in the last three seasons, Florida set its season-average attendance record.
Gator Nation also helped close out home action by setting a season average attendance record of 8,304, breaking the previous record of 7,433 set in 2016.
Five Wins for McMurtry
McMurtry swept the individual honors in her final O'Connell Center appearance, including taking the all-around at 39.825. That total equals Florida's record set by Alaina Johnson in 2014 and equaled later that season by Bridget Sloan.
She opened the meet with a 9.95 for her Yurchenko double vault. That mark shared the evening's event title with Nebraska's Sienna Crouse. McMurtry then posted a nearly perfect 9.975 on bars. It was her third 9.975 of her last six bar routines.
McMurtry used the same mark to win the beam. It was her first 9.975 on beam of her career. She did post a 10.0 on the event earlier this season. She closed with a 9.925 on floor to equal her season best.
The last Gator to claim each of the five event titles was Gator All-American Ashanée Dickerson at LSU in 2011.
GATOR NOTABLES:
Florida's 197.925 stands No. 12 in the nation and is Florida's second-highest total of 2018
Five Gators turned in 10 season and/or collegiate best marks Friday
49.575 on bars is Florida's season-best
McMurtry's five wins tonight moves her from eighth to sixth (69) on Florida's career events titles list.
The 39.825 shares third among the nation's top all-around totals for 2018. Oklahoma's Maggie Nichols twice turned in the high of 39.90 and also has a 39.825.
Freshman Jazmyn Foberg turned in collegiate bests for both events she performed Friday – vault (9.990) and bars (9.95).
HEAR FROM THE GATORS: Thoughts on tonight's meet:
"This is a night the entire team looks forward to. It is the meet that is the most emotional over the course of the entire season. It was a great finish to the regular season. This is something this team has been doing every day in practice and tonight they brought it out to the competition floor. It was an exclamation point to end the regular season and a good way to go into post season.
"We are very excited that we have a week off. We will learn from tonight and moving forward. – Florida Head Coach Jenny Rowland
On what you will take from tonight:
"I will remember the atmosphere. When you look into the stands, everyone is pushing for you to win and they want you to do your best. The atmosphere and emotion of everyone rooting for you is the most memorable thing for me." – senior All-American Rachel Slocum.
"I think we have the best fans in the country. You look around and see every single person cheering and rooting for you. Then you look to the side and see your team wanting you to do your best. That [atmosphere] is just better at the University of Florida. Competing in the O'Dome is unmatched." – senior All-American Kennedy Baker
"Honestly, the moment I'm going to remember is praying before the meet started, when the national anthem is sung. I always say a prayer and thank God that I have the talent to bring joy to people and Gator fans. It is the fans who make it worthwhile. You are doing it for the fans. It just has been an awesome experience and a blessing to touch so many people's lives. That's what I'll remember about tonight and my four years here." – senior All-American Alex McMurtry
What will you miss about the seniors?
"There is so much to miss about them. I see them every single day. It will be a day off and we just hang out together. We are always together. I think I will miss those moments of being with them. It doesn't have to be anything special – we could be just in a room together. But it's that energy, their personalities – they are all amazing people who inspire me in every aspect. They push me in school, they push me in the gym. They give me this confidence that I don't necessarily have, but they help me to have it. " – junior All-American Alicia Boren
RECORDS: Florida (8-2, 5-2 SEC), Nebraska (11-3, 5-0 Big Ten).
UP NEXT:
Florida has a week off before heading to St. Louis, Mo., to look for its 11th team title at the Southeastern Conference Championships. The eight-team meet is set for Saturday, March 24 in two sessions.
SESSION
TIME (CT)
TV
SEEDS
Session l
2 p.m.
SEC Network
5, 6, 7, 8
Session ll
6 p.m.
ESPN2
1, 2, 3, 4
The session assignments are based on the March 19 Road to Nationals team standings. Florida expects to compete in Session II.
Tickets for the 38th annual edition of the SEC Gymnastics Championships at the Chaifetz Arena are available on TicketMaster.
