Gators gymnast Megan Skaggs is all smiles following a routine last season. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/UAA Communications)
Skaggs Strives To Make A Perfect Bow Out Of Final Season
Tuesday, January 4, 2022 | Gymnastics, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
For the first time in my life, I was forced to stop striving for perfection. Instead, I began striving to become myself. The best version of myself.GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Megan Skaggs was reminded of those words recently. Actually, the fifth-year Gators gymnast knows them well.
They are her words. She wrote them as part of her "life story" introduction on her website. They resurfaced when Skaggs and her teammates discussed the upcoming season at a recent team meeting. The lasting takeaway, according to Skaggs, was for everyone to be the best version of themselves heading into a season full of promise.
"Ultimately, that's what is going to make us a great team,'' Skaggs said Tuesday.
The No. 2-ranked Gators host Northern Illinois, Rutgers and Texas Woman's University in the season opener Friday night at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. As Skaggs embarks on a season she never envisioned when she arrived at UF, the 22-year-old from Marietta, Ga., has a renewed outlook and accompanying mission.
First, let's go back to Skaggs' words atop this story. They originated following a difficult stretch for Skaggs when her constant quest for mental perfection "expired" during her junior season in 2020. Again, her words. And then, right as the postseason was about to begin, the coronavirus pandemic struck and shut down the season and classes. Skaggs had time to reflect and, in doing so, returned for her senior season with a fresh attitude.
The new-and-improved Skaggs produced on Friday nights. She earned All-America and All-Southeastern Conference honors, establishing personal bests on all four events and the all-around competition.
"It's a fluid process. I'm constantly learning and learning more about myself and becoming a better person,'' Skaggs said of her life's learning curve. "But it's not linear. There's ups and downs. And this year has honestly been one of the more challenging years to pick up and continue to do gymnastics and know that it's all going to end. I think one of the biggest things that I've learned is that I just need to stay grounded."
Next, let's turn to an endeavor that sprouted from Skaggs' period of reflection before last season. After the season was over, Skaggs decided to use the additional year of eligibility the NCAA granted to student-athletes impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown in the spring of 2020.
She knew the Gators would have one of the most talented teams in the country and would be a candidate to win the national title. That was undoubtedly part of her motivation. But Skaggs didn't want that to be the whole story. She sought to make a meaningful contribution beyond what she might do on the performance floor.
Hence, with the help of a close friend, the Tiny Bow Project was born.
"The Tiny Bow Project's mission is to inspire, impact and empower,'' Skaggs said. "We just really wanted to figure out how I could use this additional gifted year of competing for the Gators and doing gymnastics to give back because the sport has given me so much. This year is not anything that I ever imagined or anticipated that I would ever get to do. Using it to give back is really just my 'thank you' to the sport and to everyone who supported me along the way.
"I'm really excited to see it come alive this week."
Gators fifth-year senior Megan Skaggs has turned her signature competition hairstyle into a charitable campaign her final season. (Photo: Isabella Marley/UAA Communications)
Skaggs is parlaying her go-to hairstyle during competition – double braids and two tiny bows – into a charitable campaign as part of a Name, Image and Likeness deal. She has selected 10 causes to support – one for each regular-season meet, starting with mental health on Friday night – raising funds by selling a tiny-bow ribbon pack, autograph cards and personalized video messages.
The tiny bows in her hair became Skaggs' signature look during her sophomore season and stuck. When considering NIL ideas over the summer, they seemed a natural tie-in to her charitable campaign. Skaggs is donating 20 percent of sales to charities represented in the project.
"It's really been the final touch on my competitive look ever since, and I can't really go to a competition without them,'' she said. "I'm excited to bring others in."
Those close to Skaggs are not surprised by her plan to raise awareness for such causes as mental health, autism and human trafficking.
"She really has grown and matured in her own ways," Gators coach Jenny Rowland said. "As a freshman, she was always a very mature freshman. One of the most mature student-athletes I've had throughout her time. Her purpose and the meaning of being a Gators gymnast just continues to blossom. It's really refreshing and exciting to see her continue to strive to be a better person every day."
Teammate Payton Richards expects Skaggs' project to be a big hit with fans. One has already asked her about those bows.
"We all try and do our best to support each other with whatever we're doing, and I know that's making a huge impact on our team,'' Richards said. "My mom is dying to get them. It's just a really cool thing. We just want to support each other any way we can. It's a huge accomplishment for her, so I'm really happy."
Skaggs keeps its simple in an era when NIL opportunities for college athletes and possible ramifications garner headlines daily.
She wanted to take advantage of the new landscape while she could help others in the process. That's who she is, the upbeat gymnast who inspires her coaches and teammates. Others are getting in line.
"It's definitely a Gators gymnastics thing,'' she said. "For me personally, authenticity has been the biggest thing. Whenever a brand reaches out to me, I really do some searching. and research what their mission is and what they stand for and what they want to do with me and what that partnership looks like."
That look will include braids, tiny bows, and a good cause on Friday night.
