Biggest NCAA Meet of 2013: #5 Bama at #1 Florida
Biggest NCAA Meet of 2013: #5 Bama at #1 Florida
SEC archrivals, Florida and Alabama, go head-to-head in what will likely be the most thrilling competition of the 2013 NCAA regular season.
During the 2012 NCAA National Championship, Alabama beat Florida by a minuscule 0.075 to clench their second consecutive National title. Florida is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation, while Alabama hangs on the No. 5 spot. The Gators season-high team score was 197.650 against Auburn, while Alabama’s high weighs in seven tenths lower at 196.950.
When these two rivals meet on Friday the pressure will be on! All scores and rankings will be thrown out the window. The Gators are still bitter about the 2012 National Championship and are hungry to win it this year for the first time ever!
This meet is one you definitely DON’T WANT TO MISS! And here’s why:
1. Florida’s Kytra Hunter and Alaina Johnson
Florida’s top all-arounders Alaina Johnson and Kytra Hunter were rested last week at Arkansas due to injuries. Kytra has been placed in a boot for her right ankle, while Alaina has been taking it easy because of a back problem. Although the Gators had to change their lineups at Arkansas, they still managed to score the second highest season score of 197.575. Will Kytra and Alaina be ready to compete by Friday? If not, can the other Gators step it up again?
2. Gator Freshie Bridgey Caquatto
Will Florida freshman Bridgey Caquatto make her collegiate debut and enter the bar lineup? Her exhibition routine was nearly flawless with a stuck double layout scoring a 9.80. Bridgey’s sister and Gator teammate, Mackenzie Caquatto, scored a perfect 10 on bars during the Missouri meet. The Caquatto sisters could be Florida’s dynamic duo on bars!
3. Alabama Upset by Georgia
One of the biggest surprises in college gymnastics came last week when Georgia stole a win from Alabama. Alabama’s season-best 49.475 floor performance, thanks to 9.95’s from Diandra Millner and Kim Jacob, was a little too late after a shaky 48.950 on bars. Georgia capitalized on the Tide’s early mistakes and scored a season-high 49.475 on vault. The Gym Dogs trampled the Tide 197.500 to 196.950.
4. Rankings for Florida
The Gators are ranked nationally as follows:
• No. 1 team, vault, and uneven bars
• No. 3 balance beam
• No. 6 floor exercise
• All-around: No. 1 Kytra Hunter, No. 4 Bridget Sloan
• Vault: No. 2 Ashanée Dickerson, No. 3 Kytra Hunter
• Uneven Bars: No. 2 Kytra Hunter, No. 4 Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto
• Balance Beam: No. 2 Mackenzie Caquatto
• Floor Exercise: No. Kytra Hunter
5. Rankings for Alabama
The Tide is ranked nationally as follows:
• No. 5 team, and uneven bars
• No. 4 vault
• No. 7 balance beam and floor exercise
• All-around: No. 15 Kim Jacob
• Vault: No. 6 Diandra Millner
• Uneven Bars: Tied for No. 7 Ashley Priess and Sarah DeMeo
• Floor Exercise: No. 5 Kim Jacob