Payton Richards celebrates a strong routine at Florida's annual Link to Pink Meet in 2020. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Gators Gymnastics Team's Resiliency Tested Early
Thursday, January 27, 2022 | Gymnastics, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The fourth-ranked Gators gymnastics team is back home Friday night, hosting No. 13-ranked Arkansas in the annual Link to Pink Meet.
And for the second consecutive year, Florida will rely on some first aid at its signature home event.
The Gators lost sophomore Ellie Lazzari and senior Halley Taylor for the season in last week's road win at Georgia. Both gymnasts suffered torn Achilles tendons and underwent successful surgery this week.
In last season's Link to Pink victory over Kentucky, the Gators took the floor without four key performers in Trinity Thomas, Sydney Johnson-Scharpf, Nya Reed and Savannah Schoenherr, all sidelined due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Gators coach Jenny Rowland has a deeper team in 2022, the 18-member squad the program's largest roster in its 50 seasons. She was reminded by Thomas this week of the mindset the Gators must maintain to overcome their latest hurdle.
"It's always a test. Every year," Rowland said. "Every year has its challenges. You have two options: you can stay where you are and feel sorry for yourself, or you can continue to take your steps forward and continue to do what you do."
The Gators have no intention of straying from the latter with the Razorbacks visiting Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center for the 8:15 p.m. start time.
While Lazzari (beam vs. Alabama) and Taylor (beam, floor exercise in season opener) had minimal performances after the first three meets, their losses impact the team's depth should others get injured. Freshman Morgan Hurd (knee surgery) is also out for the season. Rowland said junior Payton Richards, who missed the Georgia meet because she was sick, is back at practice and available on Friday.
Lazzari won her first collegiate vault title in last year's Link to Pink Meet, and Taylor competed on vault, beam and floor with the lineup depleted.
Fifth-year senior Megan Skaggs, who has won a pair of all-around titles in the young season, is optimistic the team has enough talent to overcome the adversity.
"Having injuries doesn't change the plan," Skaggs said. "Each of us trains and prepares to step up when our name is called, so really nothing's changed. If your name is called, you're still going to be ready to go. It's sad to lose two teammates to injuries, but they're still with us."
Thomas has yet to compete in all-around and will expand her events as the season progresses according to Rowland, and the nation's No. 1-ranked freshman recruiting class is willing and able to pick up any slack.
The Gators will march forward with a pair of new cheerleaders by their side in Lazzari and Taylor.
"We have faced adversity. Yeah, it's a challenge and this year, it's a different challenge than COVID,'' Rowland said. "It's going to show how resilient this team is."
And for the second consecutive year, Florida will rely on some first aid at its signature home event.
The Gators lost sophomore Ellie Lazzari and senior Halley Taylor for the season in last week's road win at Georgia. Both gymnasts suffered torn Achilles tendons and underwent successful surgery this week.
In last season's Link to Pink victory over Kentucky, the Gators took the floor without four key performers in Trinity Thomas, Sydney Johnson-Scharpf, Nya Reed and Savannah Schoenherr, all sidelined due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Gators coach Jenny Rowland has a deeper team in 2022, the 18-member squad the program's largest roster in its 50 seasons. She was reminded by Thomas this week of the mindset the Gators must maintain to overcome their latest hurdle.
"It's always a test. Every year," Rowland said. "Every year has its challenges. You have two options: you can stay where you are and feel sorry for yourself, or you can continue to take your steps forward and continue to do what you do."
The Gators have no intention of straying from the latter with the Razorbacks visiting Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center for the 8:15 p.m. start time.
While Lazzari (beam vs. Alabama) and Taylor (beam, floor exercise in season opener) had minimal performances after the first three meets, their losses impact the team's depth should others get injured. Freshman Morgan Hurd (knee surgery) is also out for the season. Rowland said junior Payton Richards, who missed the Georgia meet because she was sick, is back at practice and available on Friday.
Lazzari won her first collegiate vault title in last year's Link to Pink Meet, and Taylor competed on vault, beam and floor with the lineup depleted.
Fifth-year senior Megan Skaggs, who has won a pair of all-around titles in the young season, is optimistic the team has enough talent to overcome the adversity.
"Having injuries doesn't change the plan," Skaggs said. "Each of us trains and prepares to step up when our name is called, so really nothing's changed. If your name is called, you're still going to be ready to go. It's sad to lose two teammates to injuries, but they're still with us."
Thomas has yet to compete in all-around and will expand her events as the season progresses according to Rowland, and the nation's No. 1-ranked freshman recruiting class is willing and able to pick up any slack.
The Gators will march forward with a pair of new cheerleaders by their side in Lazzari and Taylor.
"We have faced adversity. Yeah, it's a challenge and this year, it's a different challenge than COVID,'' Rowland said. "It's going to show how resilient this team is."
Players Mentioned
AA
/ Gymnastics
V, BB, FX
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ Gymnastics
AA
/ GymnasticsLeanne Wong - PreWorlds_10-8-2025
Wednesday, October 08
Skye Blakely - Pre Worlds_10-8-2025
Wednesday, October 08
Owen Field - Pre Worlds 10-8-2025
Wednesday, October 08
Climb for Cancer - Gymnastics 9-21-25
Sunday, September 21
