Catching Up With Former Florida Gator Mackenzie Caquatto
Catching Up With Former Florida Gator Mackenzie Caquatto
As a former elite who joined the Florida Gators with a long list of accomplishments, Mackenzie Caquatto was part of two national and two SEC team titles in her time at UF. FloGymnastics recently caught up Caquatto to talk about her life after gymnastics.
Mackenzie Caquatto was a member of the Florida Gators gymnastics team from 2010-2014. As a former elite who joined the Gators with a long list of accomplishments, she was part of two national and two SEC team titles in her time at Florida. Caquatto scored a perfect 10 on bars in her time at Florida and saw action consistently on all four events.
FloGymnastics recently caught up with Caquatto to talk about her life after gymnastics:
Definitely winning two national championships and two SEC titles as a team! College was the best time of my life. I had amazing coaches who always wanted to best for you in all parts of your life. I made friends for life and loved being with my teammates who understood what I was going through and always had my back.
Rhonda was a very calm and encouraging coach, which was very contagious. Every time we went to compete she told us we could do and you could feel that she believed in you and knew you could do it. That has stuck with me as I am now a teacher and I encourage my students and believe in them. Rhonda also knew our limits and knew how to get us where we needed to be. She cared about each of us as a person and was more than a coach to us.
I plan to stay dedicated to teaching, as that is another passion of mine. I want to find a way to stay connected to the sport of gymnastics. I may want to try college coaching or judging to stay involved with the sport I love. I am currently coaching summer camps, and I love doing that.
Stay tuned to FloGymnastics for more interviews with your favorite NCAA graduates.
FloGymnastics recently caught up with Caquatto to talk about her life after gymnastics:
FloGymnastics: What have you been up to since graduating in 2014?
Caquatto: I graduated in 2014 with my bachelor's in elementary education. I then graduated in 2015 with my master's in elementary and special education. I got hired after graduation to teach fourth-grade math and science in Gainesville.Tell us about how teaching is going and what you enjoy the most.
I LOVE teaching and working with kids every day. I like to create my own atmosphere in the classroom and make it like a family. I like to do lots of hands-on activities and make their learning relatable. Each day is a new challenge, but I love that I can make an impact on their lives every day.
When you look back at your career at Florida, what moments stand out to you the most?
Definitely winning two national championships and two SEC titles as a team! College was the best time of my life. I had amazing coaches who always wanted to best for you in all parts of your life. I made friends for life and loved being with my teammates who understood what I was going through and always had my back. What are you most proud of as a Florida Gator?
Representing the University of Florida and being able to wear the "F" on my chest. I am still proud to wear my Florida gear and be a part of the Gator community.What do you miss most about gymnastics and being a Florida Gator?
I miss the camaraderie with my teammates and having someone to support me all the time. I also miss competing and the feeling of adrenaline with my teammates.What was it like competing with your sister, Bridgette?
I was so happy when my sister came to Florida. We trained our whole lives together, so when I came to Florida first, it felt like part of me was missing. She knows me better than anyone and was able to be there for me and push me and encourage me.What was it like watching Bridgette compete after you had graduated?
I think the year after I graduated I was living vicariously through her. It was really hard to be up in the stands. I wanted to be down on the floor cheering her on. It was great to see her win another national championship and have her time to shine. I was also so nervous watching her.What personal accomplishment are you most proud of?
Being a part of a national championship team. As a junior, I was a member of the first-ever gymnastics team to win a national championship at Florida, so that was pretty special.
You competed under former UF coach Rhonda Faehn -- what is the biggest thing you learned from her?
Rhonda was a very calm and encouraging coach, which was very contagious. Every time we went to compete she told us we could do and you could feel that she believed in you and knew you could do it. That has stuck with me as I am now a teacher and I encourage my students and believe in them. Rhonda also knew our limits and knew how to get us where we needed to be. She cared about each of us as a person and was more than a coach to us.
What is next for you personally? What are your future goals?
I plan to stay dedicated to teaching, as that is another passion of mine. I want to find a way to stay connected to the sport of gymnastics. I may want to try college coaching or judging to stay involved with the sport I love. I am currently coaching summer camps, and I love doing that. Anything else you would like to share with us?
My time at Florida really was the best experience ever as I was surrounded by awesome girls and coaches. College gymnastics was the cherry on top for me. Go Gators!Stay tuned to FloGymnastics for more interviews with your favorite NCAA graduates.