GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida-LSU rivalry is deeply embedded in the culture of the Southeastern Conference. When the Gators and Tigers tangle, the competition usually heats up.
Expect the same Friday night at the O'Dome when the fifth-ranked Gators gymnastics team hosts No. 2 LSU. This top-five matchup highlights an intense rivalry that is usually close — 21 of 31 meets have been decided by less than a half-point.
Despite the hype that comes with a matchup with LSU, the Gators are ready to compete.
"We're really just focusing on ourselves and getting better each week. We've really stressed this past weekend just to keep building. We're the only team in the country that's continued to build our overall score each week in comparison to other teams," said veteran Payton Richards. "It's just Gators vs. Gators Friday. We're not worried about Purple & Gold. We're only worried about Orange & Blue."
Florida's mindset stems from last week when the Gators went on the road to St. Charles, Mo., to compete in the Mizzou at the Lou quad meet against No. 14 Missouri, Illinois and Lindenwood. The Gators boasted a season-high score of 197.925, a performance in part thanks to the five freshmen who competed.
You might expect the group of newcomers to battle some nerves. Not this bunch. They trust in their abilities and continually show up for the team. However, they still take the words of wisdom from their veterans to help elevate their already high performances.
"I think they're a talented group of girls. Super different group of girls, and just telling them to stay normal. To do what they do in the gym, they're amazing," said Richards. "Don't change anything and stay authentic to who they are. Really embrace it because it flies. You blink, and it's over, so I think just enjoy it, and it's super special. That's the biggest thing."
Anya Pilgrim is one of Florida's talented freshmen and was SEC Freshman of the Week following Florida's trip to Missouri. (Photo: Molly Kaiser/UAA Communications)
The freshmen were not the only ones with a significant contribution, as Richards added her piece to the Gators' overall score with a 9.925 on the floor, matching her collegiate best for the apparatus.
"Proud of Payton for coming in, working hard, seeing her achieve a very good score on floor, and actually doing what we know she's capable of doing is great," said Gators head coach Jenny Rowland. "It made my heart happy, and I know it helped boost her confidence level a little bit too."
Richards, the longest-standing member of this team, tries to impart wisdom to the younger gymnasts through her work ethic and character. This is something former Gators standout Amelia Hundley, now an assistant coach at Alabama, taught Richards during her freshman season.
"She really stressed character, and that has stuck with me for all four years. It's like, 'Yeah, they'll remember the gymnastics you did, but it's who you are and the impact you've made as a person that goes so much further,' " says Richards. "Not saying that getting a 10 isn't amazing, but just the little things and really enjoying it and taking in every moment."
What better moments are there than upsetting the No. 2 team in the country in a sold-out home meet?
That is Florida's goal on Friday night.
"I think with LSU, just the intense rivalry that we've had on the competition floor, because they're best friends off the competition floor. But on the competition floor, that battle, really, these young women are just going to lay it all out there," Rowland said. "They elevate their performance, and I know they are excited to rise to the occasion. A top-5 matchup is always exciting, and it just goes to show how great the SEC is."
SEC matchups are indeed a unique environment, whatever the sport may be. From the intense rivalries to the boisterous fanbases, there is no environment quite like that of an SEC home meet for the Gators gymnastics squad.
"I'm really, really excited and truly thankful for the Rowdy Reptiles that show up for our gymnastics meets. They run in as soon as those doors open, they're lined up outside the O'Dome, and really grateful for the energy that they bring because it really does help the athletes," said Rowland. "It creates a great experience for everybody, and you know what, those judges may hear it as well. It's a win-win for everybody."
Even though they are hosting the country's top dual meet and their SEC rivals, these Gators are ready to focus on the task: continue improving their standing each week.
That is the message regardless of the opponent.
"Our word, our intention for the week is ambitious," said Rowland. "The Gators are very ambitious and not settled for any performance that we have done up until now and really trying to top this Friday from any other performance we've had.
