Florida Gymnastics Faces Alabama on the Road

No. 4 Florida gymnastics is in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to face the No. 14 Crimson Tide Friday night. This will be the 133rd meeting of these teams and Alabama leads the series 77-53-2.

The Gators have a lot to prove this week, as they are searching for their first conference win on the road. After putting up the nation’s best 198.125 last week, Florida needs to show it is capable of scoring just as well at away meets. The Gators have yet to score over 197 on the road since Feb. 2.

Last Time Around

In last year’s head-to-head, the Tide came into Gainesville and snapped the Gators’ 20-meet home win streak. The undefeated Alabama team handed Florida its first loss of the season 197.575-197.425.

Victoria Nguyen scored a career-high 9.975 on vault, and Anya Pilgrim scored a 9.925, her best score at the time. Ellie Lazzari also scored a career-best 9.925 on bars.

Florida Bounces Back

After an injury-riddled meet at Oklahoma, the Gators came back stronger last week against Missouri, tying the season’s best score they set against Georgia on Jan. 24. With senior Sloane Blakely out for the rest of the season, Florida answered a lot of questions with its performance.

Nguyen returned to the vault lineup and scored a 9.975 before UCLA transfer Selena Harris-Miranda scored a perfect 10, the first in the country on the apparatus this year.

Do your thing, @victoriavn21 🤩

◾️ V gets a season best on vault of 9.975! pic.twitter.com/sj0NADCLIN

— Gators Gymnastics (@GatorsGym) February 28, 2025

During the week, AAI announced that five Gators would be nominated for the “Heisman of Gymnastics.” Blakely, Lazzari, Riley McCusker, Nguyen and Leanne Wong are among the 59 nominees for the senior award. Nguyen also earned the honor as SEC Co-Specialist of the Week, and Wong was named SEC Gymnast of the Week for her 39.75 in the all-around.

A Turn for the Tide

The Tide came up with their first SEC win last week at Arkansas. A score of 197.65, their best of the season, handed the Razorbacks their first home loss. Alabama put up a season high on bars (49.475) and floor (49.675). Junior Gabby Gladieux tied her career best of 9.975 on floor to help the Tide to victory.

Two Alabama gymnasts were also nominated for the 2025 AAI Award: Lilly Hudson and Shania Adams.

Bama is fighting for a spot in the SEC Championship, which is just two weeks away. Its score last week has bumped them into contention, as only eight of nine teams will make the event. The Razorbacks are currently on the outside looking in.

Five Crimson Tide gymnasts will be honored for senior night in its annual Capes & Crowns meet.

Up Next

This top-15 matchup will air on SEC Network+ Friday at 8 p.m. Former Bama star and last year’s winner of the all-around in this meet Luisa Blanco will be on the call.