Gator Gymnastics Recovers with a Win Against Arkansas

The Florida gymnastics team was able to celebrate its 10th annual Link to Pink meet with a win after a heart breaking loss against the Georgia Bulldogs on the road last weekend (196.35-196.40). The #2 ranked Gators defeated #9 Arkansas in the O’Dome 197.450 to 195.975 Friday night. However, unlike the last home meet against the Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida was unable to pull off any perfect scores. Florida coach Jenny Rowland says despite not getting any 10’s she is pleased with how the team performed. Top performers for the Gators included Alicia Boren on vault, Alex McMurty on bars, McMurty again on beam, and Bridget Sloan on floor. All top performers ended with a score of 9.950 in their respective events.

#Gators Win the annual Link to Pink meet!!! Thank you Gator Nation for coming out to support! #GoGators #Link2Pink16 pic.twitter.com/l1rKAZdTAp

— Gators Gymnastics (@GatorsGym) February 13, 2016

The Gators started the evening with the first rotation on vault. Boren with the top score overall in the category helped to bring the Gators on top early in the meet. Boren says she was nervous performing on vault but she is happy with the outcome of her performance. Florida ended the rotation with a score of 49.225. Meanwhile Arkansas performed on bars and received an overall score 49.075.

Moving over to the second rotation, the Gators moved to bars. McCurty shined on the bars for the second time at home being the top performer. While she was unable to get a 10 like the last home meet, McMurty says this was one of her best bar routines. The Gators were able to keep the lead against Arkansas ending the second rotation with a score of 98.700 to 98.200.

The third rotation consisted of Florida starting on beam and Arkansas performing on the floor. Top performer for the Gators was once again McMurty.  It was this rotation where the Razorbacks really began to slip suffering from falls and stumbles. Arkansas gymnast Leah MacMoyle was unable to finish her floor routine due to an ankle injury during a tumbling pass gone wrong. While Arkansas struggled, the Gators nailed solid performances on beam pushing them even more ahead with a total score of 148.100 to 146.875.

It was now Florida’s turn on the floor for the fourth and final rotation. The ever solid Sloan for Florida landed the top score in this category but she says she really wanted the perfect 10. Arkansas was unable to return in the fourth rotation from the difficult third rotation and lost to the Gators by almost two full points.

Next up for Florida is an away meet against Missouri next Friday.