Sloane Blakely made her collegiate debut on Friday night for the Gators. (Photo: Tim Casey/UAA Communications)
Freshman Blakely Delivers Big In Gators Debut
Saturday, January 8, 2022 | Gymnastics, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — She opened with a nondescript performance on vault and followed that with an improved outing on the uneven bars.
By the time Sloane Blakely dismounted from the beam Friday night, the UF gymnast had the attention of more than 8,000 fans at the O'Dome for No. 2-ranked Florida's season opener.
Blakely impressed the judges, posting a score of 9.950, which matched teammate Leah Clapper for the best score of the night in the event. Half an hour later, Blakely concluded the first meet of her college career with a 9.90 on her floor routine.
A touted newcomer from Frisco, Texas, Blakely is a member of Florida's star-studded freshman class. She joined the Gators off a club season in which she became the first gymnast to claim outright titles in all five events (vault, bars, beam, floor, all-around) at the 2021 Level 10 National Championships.
Still, Friday night was a different experience that created new dynamics for Blakely, who before dominating Level 10 competition was a member of the 2018-19 U.S. Senior National Team.
"Coming into this, I was really nervous,'' she said. "First time out in the O'Dome in front of everyone, doing all four. But I had fun. I did a lot better than what I thought I was going to do. I had a lot of fun with it. Every single event, I couldn't have imagined it going any better than this."
In the post-meet press conference, veteran Gators gymnastics sports-information director Mary Howard brought a smile to Blakely's face. Howard announced to the assembled media that Blakely's all-around title (39.450) was the first for a UF newcomer in her first collegiate meet in a decade.
Kytra Hunter was the last to accomplish the feat in 2012 at N.C. State.
"That's pretty good company,'' Howard said.
Sure is. Hunter's name is all over the program's record book, including two Honda Awards and third in all-around career titles (21), behind only Bridget Sloan (27) and Elfi Schlegel (26).
Sloane Blakely soars through the air during her performance on the uneven bars Friday night at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. (Photo: Leslie White/UAA Communications)
Blakely's performance helped the Gators win their quad meet against Northern Illinois, Texas Woman's University and Rutgers handily, with a team-record score (197.675) in a season-opening meet.
Gators coach Jenny Rowland, preserving standout all-around performer Trinity Thomas for later in the season – Thomas only competed on vault and bars Friday – gave Blakely a chance to show off her vast skill-set. She didn't disappoint.
And Rowland was not a bit surprised.
"I think from day one in the gym, she is one of the hardest [working] and most consistent athletes in the gym,'' Rowland said. "She comes in, and you know what you're going to get. She just gets after it and does the same thing day in and day out, whether she feels great or is not feeling so great. That's the way she competes and trains.
"Her team knows we can count on her."
Blakely is a member of the country's top-ranked freshman class. The group also includes Morgan Hurd, Riley McCusker, Leanne Wong and Bri Edwards. Hurd was the only member of the class who did not compete Friday. She is still awaiting her NCAA certification after enrolling at UF for the spring semester.
Blakely, McCusker, Wong and Hurd were part of U.S. Senior National Teams before joining the Gators. Hurd, McCusker and Wong earned World Championship medals during their elite-level careers.
"It was great to see some new faces,'' Rowland said. "Lots of new faces."
In the first competition of their college careers, Blakely was the freshman who shined brightest. Despite her memorable debut, Blakely continues to adjust to college gymnastics.
The boisterous crowd at the O'Dome reminded Blakely that being part of the Gators is unlike anything she has done in the sport.
"I'm still trying to just get comfortable with the team,'' she said. "It's different coming from JO [Junior Olympics] and club to more of a team environment where everybody has each other's back. I'm still getting used to the team being so close."
Ditto for the crowd.
Asked if she had ever competed in front of such a large audience, Blakely delivered a veteran quip.
"This large, maybe,'' she said. "This hyped, no."
She'll need to get used to it if she continues to perform like she did Friday.
