The UF gymnastics team's fortunes are pointing upward as the Gators round into form midway into the regular season. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: UF Gymnastics Team Is Hungry For A Special Season — And It Shows
Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | Gymnastics, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — If you've spent any time around high-level athletes or plugged into their world remotely, you have probably heard the expression.
It's time to eat.
The phrase is used most often in football or basketball, but on Friday night, there was UF gymnastics coach Jenny Rowland, garbed in her Gators-themed denim jacket, who was asked to make an opening statement at the press conference following her team's most inspiring performance of the season.
"The Gators ate tonight,'' the 51-year-old Rowland said with a grin.
Rowland's remark drew chuckles in the room, including from gymnasts Selena Harris-Miranda, Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello, seated next to Rowland on the podium. In the context of the Generation Z axiom – to perform exceptionally or complete a task successfully – no one could argue with Rowland's Generation X assessment.
Florida's dominant victory over Arkansas included a season-high score of 198.050, which moved the Gators up to No. 2 in the national rankings entering this week's matchup at Missouri, and provided a glimpse of what this team is capable of at its best.
These Gators can be scary good when they are on.
They electrified the O'Dome crowd against the Razorbacks with a charged rotation on the uneven bars, as Blakely and Harris-Miranda closed with a pair of 9.950s. DiCello posted a season-high 9.925, and eMjae Frazier banked a 9.90. The Gators rush to celebrate with Serena Harris-Miranda after her performance on the uneven bars against Arkansas. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
The rotation served as a highlight on a night of highlights for the Gators. Harris-Miranda, competing in all-around for the first time this season, took home the title, followed by runner-up Frazier. Blakely posted a collegiate-best 9.975 on her floor routine, and DiCello and Blakely each scored 9.950 on their beam routines.
Florida's performance prompts the question: How good can the Gators be in 2026?
In the eyes of this observer, they could be the best.
Yes, that's a bold statement considering Oklahoma, winner of three of the last four national championships, is ranked No. 1 and headed to the O'Dome next week. The Sooners are loaded as usual and have proven their mettle time and time again on the sport's biggest stage in April.
The Gators have been right there with the Sooners at times, finishing national runner-up in 2022 and 2023. Still, they came up short, a missed landing here and a step out of bounds there, spoiling their bid to win the program's first national title since the three-peat of 2013-15.
The Gators have not lacked in star power in the years since winning three consecutive national championships, with All-Americans such as Alex McMurtry, Trinity Thomas and Leanne Wong dazzling fans with their grace and athleticism. But whether it was nagging injuries, an ill-timed off day, or being outclassed on the final day of the NCAA Championships, UF has not been able to get over that hump.
In the seasons gone by when the Gators reached the top of the sport, the program's GOAT always came through in the clutch. Bridget Sloan epitomized rising to the occasion in crunch time, her confidence and skill shining through along with that of teammate Kytra Hunter, right there with Sloan as the best to wear an Orange & Blue leotard.
They had what is often called the "it factor" in sports. The bigger the stakes, the better the execution.
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves since the regular season is just reaching the halfway mark. A lot can happen between now and April. For the Gators to win the national championship, what has gone wrong at the NCAA Championships must go right. The same can be said for several programs chasing the Sooners.
But in many years since Sloan and Hunter moved on, the Gators were good, but you knew they probably weren't good enough to win the title. This season has a different tone. The Gators are good enough — and getting better.
Look at the roster Rowland and her staff have assembled.
The Gators have six gymnasts who have been a part of U.S. Senior national teams, more than any other program. Blakely, DiCello, Frazier, Amelia Disidore, Riley McCusker and Ly Bui are the real deal. Meanwhile, the supremely gifted Blakely is one of four NCAA gymnasts this season on the 11-member 2025-26 U.S. Senior Team roster. Blakely is one of the best gymnasts in the world and flashed her potential with a breakout performance against the Razorbacks.
"I had so much fun,'' Blakely said. "It's great to see the results be there, too."
And then you have Harris-Miranda, the transfer from UCLA a season ago, who is the most accomplished collegiate gymnast on the roster.
Harris-Miranda has a presence about her that you can't teach.
"That complete package of basics from a young age,'' Rowland said. "An uncanny sense of awareness. You can drop her anywhere from the ceiling, and she'll land on her feet and stick. She just has that feel. And I would say on top of that, she loves flipping, she loves doing gymnastics, and it's just like the ultimate combination to have success.
"She loves performing."
Harris-Miranda, after not competing in all-around in the first three meets, returned to the floor exercise against Arkansas with extra motivation. Her only fall during her career came against the Razorbacks.
"It felt like the right time to come back and do all-around and do floor,'' she said. "I feel more confident than ever."
This is a team that has it all. Top-end talent, deep depth, and passion to improve each day they show up at the gym.
"This team is so special,'' DiCello said. "It's amazing seeing them go out and hit routines."
The season is far from over. There will be ups and downs ahead. But it's hard not to like what you see.
The Gators are eating.
They hope to finish with a sweet and satisfying dessert.
