Results
Record Setting and Emotional Night for the Gators
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Florida's Bitter Sweet Senior Night
Image Courtesy of Erin Long
Florida crushed No. 36 West Virginia by 3.40. The Gators scored a huge 198.325, the highest team total of the 2014 season thus far, while the Mountaineers scored a 194.925.
Head coach Rhonda Faehn decided to rest Bridget Sloan from the two leg events, floor and vault, in order to save her body for the upcoming SEC Championship. Sloan’s lowest score of the night was a 9.950 on bars, and she just missed another perfect 10.0 on beam, receiving a 9.975.
Kytra Hunter is now officially halfway to her goal of ten perfect 10.0’s, as she scored her fifth overall and third 10.0 on floor tonight. Junior Rachel Spicer scored a 9.9, and Bridgette Caquatto and Alaina Johnson both earned a 9.95 bringing Florida’s floor total to an impressive 49.675.
Image Courtesy of Erin Long
Senior Alaina Johnson set a new school record for the highest all-around score of 39.825. Former Gator gymnast Marissa King said she doesn’t think she has ever seen an all-around score that high in her whole career. In fact, it's the nation's highest all around score since Courtney Kupets of Georgia totaled 39.85 in 2009.
To put it in perspective, Bridget Sloan won the 2013 NCAA All-Around Title with a 39.75, and in 2012 Kytra Hunter won it with a 39.725. If Johnson can keep up the consistency the Gators may have another all-around title winner on their hands.
It was senior night in the O’Dome and the tears began to flow before senior Mackenzie Caquatto even started her final floor routine. Her sister, sophomore Bridgette Caquatto, was already crying when giving Mackenzie a hug before floor. Mackenzie Caquatto said she almost cried before her last tumbling pass, but knew she had to keep it together for the rest of the team, as the competition was not over.
After Alaina Johnson finished her final routine in O’Connell Center she began to share Caquatto’s emotions. Once the floor rotation was over the floodgates opened.
Image Courtesy of Erin Long
Image Courtesy of Erin Long
The seniors (Caquatto, Johnson, and Lauren Rose) were honored with flowers and emotional videos showing four years of memories. Their families were also invited onto the floor to join the ceremony and take pictures.
This year’s senior class will be sorely missed as they are not only talented gymnasts, but are always their to support their teammates. However, the Gators must not get lost in their emotions and pull it together for the fast approaching post-season.
The Gators prepare to go on the road for their last regular season competition against Missouri. The post-season will begin March 22nd for SEC’s, followed by Regionals on April 5th and NCAA’s on April 18th.