Amanda Cheney cheered the Gator program while growing up in Orlando. When it came time to pick where to continue her education, Florida was at the top of her list.
Amanda Cheney: Proud to be a Gator
Tuesday, March 5, 2019 | Gymnastics
She's been a life-long Gator fan, but had choices when determining where to be a student-athlete. She chose Florida and is proud to continue her family's UF legacy.
Senior Amanda Cheney was destined to be a Gator.
As the daughter of two Florida graduates, she came home from the hospital in a Gator onesie. She grew up with the goal of following her parent's footsteps in Gainesville.
"I always knew I wanted to be a Gator," she said. "I just knew in my heart that there was nothing else I wanted to do but be a Gator."
In high school, she took visits to other colleges who wanted her to commit to their program because of her gymnastics accomplishments.
Cheney was the 2015 Magical Classic all-around and balance beam champion and won the vault and balance beam title at the 2014 Florida State Championship.
Although Florida coaches visited her at her gym, Orlando Metro Gymnastics, she made the decision that even if she didn't have the opportunity to compete for Florida, she would just attend as a student and be the team's biggest fan.
"I just knew in my heart there was nothing else that I wanted to do but be a Gator," she said.
But when she was offered the opportunity to walk-on to the team, she didn't hesitate to accept.
"I'm so grateful to be a Gator and so grateful that I was given this opportunity and this platform to do what I love," she said. "It's made me a better person."
After an injury sidelined her last season, Cheney has had the opportunity to perform four routines as a senior. She posted her collegiate-best vault of 9.825 versus Kentucky in the final meet of January.
She hasn't taken her chances for granted.
"All I wanted to get was to get one more chance to compete and to know I got the opportunity this season is really special," she said.
As a telecommunications major, she is looking forward to a potential career in the news and sports industry. She spent the summer of 2018 interning at the Golf Channel.
Her dream job is to be a gymnastics analyst for SEC Network.
"College has taught me I love gymnastics, I love flipping, I love doing routines, I love competing in the O'Dome," Cheney said. "But at the same time, what I will be doing in the future is not gymnastics."
But she's still taking the time to appreciate the time she has left in a Gator leotard.
"My last home meet I'm just going to take it all in and just be super thankful and super grateful," she said.
As the daughter of two Florida graduates, she came home from the hospital in a Gator onesie. She grew up with the goal of following her parent's footsteps in Gainesville.
"I always knew I wanted to be a Gator," she said. "I just knew in my heart that there was nothing else I wanted to do but be a Gator."
In high school, she took visits to other colleges who wanted her to commit to their program because of her gymnastics accomplishments.
Cheney was the 2015 Magical Classic all-around and balance beam champion and won the vault and balance beam title at the 2014 Florida State Championship.
Although Florida coaches visited her at her gym, Orlando Metro Gymnastics, she made the decision that even if she didn't have the opportunity to compete for Florida, she would just attend as a student and be the team's biggest fan.
"I just knew in my heart there was nothing else that I wanted to do but be a Gator," she said.
But when she was offered the opportunity to walk-on to the team, she didn't hesitate to accept.
"I'm so grateful to be a Gator and so grateful that I was given this opportunity and this platform to do what I love," she said. "It's made me a better person."
After an injury sidelined her last season, Cheney has had the opportunity to perform four routines as a senior. She posted her collegiate-best vault of 9.825 versus Kentucky in the final meet of January.
She hasn't taken her chances for granted.
"All I wanted to get was to get one more chance to compete and to know I got the opportunity this season is really special," she said.
As a telecommunications major, she is looking forward to a potential career in the news and sports industry. She spent the summer of 2018 interning at the Golf Channel.
Her dream job is to be a gymnastics analyst for SEC Network.
"College has taught me I love gymnastics, I love flipping, I love doing routines, I love competing in the O'Dome," Cheney said. "But at the same time, what I will be doing in the future is not gymnastics."
But she's still taking the time to appreciate the time she has left in a Gator leotard.
"My last home meet I'm just going to take it all in and just be super thankful and super grateful," she said.
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