The emotion is visible after Trinity Thomas’ return to competition with first a successful uneven bars routine and then a stuck vault to help the Gators clinch a berth in Saturday’s NCAA Final. (Photo: Emma Bissell / UAA Communications)
Thomas Delivers a Magical Performance for Gators
Thursday, April 13, 2023 | Gymnastics, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
FORT WORTH, Texas — The anticipation of what she would do — or perhaps more accurately, what she could do — hung in the chalky air inside Dickies Arena on Thursday afternoon.
Trinity Thomas, the defending NCAA all-around champion and one of the most accomplished gymnasts in NCAA history, had been hobbled by a lower right leg injury since stopping in the middle of her floor routine at the Pittsburgh Regional on March 31. The No. 2-ranked Gators survived and advanced, with Thomas serving as a cheerleader, but everyone knows the Gators are a much more dangerous team with Thomas than without.
The uncertainty over Thomas' availability loomed until Thursday's semifinals featuring Florida, LSU, Denver and Cal. The prevailing thought was that Thomas, a fifth-year senior in the final stage of her collegiate career, would at least attempt to perform on the uneven bars after practicing on the apparatus Wednesday.
However, when officials announced the lineups, Thomas was also listed in the vault rotation.
And about two hours later, as if scripted in a Hollywood studio with the Gators in contention to clinch a spot for Saturday's NCAA Finals with another firm landing on vault, Thomas stared down the runway as the fifth UF performer in the rotation.
You know what happened. Think Willis Reed. Imagine Kirk Gibson. Add Trinity Thomas to the list. She stuck her landing for a 9.900, the first time she had vaulted in two weeks.
The Gators could breathe a sigh of relief, finishing second to LSU and keeping their season alive.
Trinity Thomas basks in the moment after Florida advanced to the NCAA Championships final round on Thursday afternoon at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
"It's been an emotional couple of weeks,'' UF head coach Jenny Rowland said. "Lots of highs, some lows, anxiety, apprehension. It just really made my heart happy for Trin to be able to execute what she knew she was capable of, even without training for two weeks.
"If she felt good, if she felt confident, the coaches, the team had all the confidence in the world. If she says I'm good to go, she's going. She should be very proud."
Not even Rowland was sure of Thomas' plans until late in pre-meet warmups when Thomas took a practice turn on the vault. She aced the test and then delivered the news.
That's how one of the more memorable performances in program history came to fruition.
"We were literally taking it day by day,'' Thomas said. "During warmups, I vaulted and I felt good, and I told Jenny that's what I wanted to do."
On a seesaw afternoon for the Gators that included a fall by sophomore Sloane Blakely on Florida's opening uneven bars routine of the meet — Blakely showed her toughness by responding with a 9.9375 on beam — the Gators recovered to lead after the first rotation, highlighted by a 9.950 from Thomas on uneven bars.
Soon after her double-layout landing, the moment overtook Thomas. The tears flowed after she answered one of the biggest challenges of her career. The weight on her shoulders was gone.
"Honestly, I've just been thinking a lot. I love gymnastics itself, but I love NCAA gymnastics so much, and I was just thinking about how this is my last one with the team that I love so much that always has my back,'' Thomas said. "That is so passionate about the same thing I am. And so, just being able to get back out there for them, with them, was really emotional. I was just happy to be there."
Rowland was overjoyed at Thomas' return, too, sharing a long embrace and encouraging words in a moment neither will soon forget.
"My message to her is she better be proud of herself. I know that's hard for her to do," Rowland said. "That she's enough. This is not an easy season. It's not an easy sport. All these young women have put their hearts and souls into something they absolutely love."
Thomas stole the show in her return to competition, lifting the Gators' confidence as they returned to the NCAA championship meet for the third consecutive year. Teammate Victoria Nguyen, who had a special performance by chipping in a 9.8625 on the vault, echoed what so many Gators fans have done over the past five seasons.
She trusted Thomas to rise to the occasion.
"I think the team knew that when she was ready, she was ready,'' Nguyen said. "We had all the faith in her. It was just so exciting to see her land that vault."
The Gators lived to see another day. Knowing Thomas can contribute, they should arrive for Saturday's championship finals full of confidence.
Former UF gymnast Bridget Sloan may have said it best. Working for an analyst on uneven bars for the ESPN+ live stream, Sloan captured Thomas' importance to the Gators when Thomas landed her routine.
"When it comes down to competition time, have no fear, Trinity is here,'' Sloan said.
The Gators lived it Thursday, stirring the imagination of what Thomas might pull on Saturday in the final event of her remarkable UF career.
Whatever happens, Thomas delivered a performance Thursday that instantly has a home in Gators lore.
