Five seniors competing in final home duel gymnastics meet

<p>Amanda Castillo still remembers her first gymnastics meet as a Florida Gator. </p><p>“I remember coming in as a freshman and being so excited to be here,” said the 4-foot-11 dyna¬mo who has become a fan favorite during her UF career. “Running out of the Gator head that first time and then looking up and seeing all these people here to just to see us, and then signing auto¬graphs for the first time afterward. People screaming your name — it's all just unbelievable. Ever since then, I have just competed my heart out, and I love being a Florida Gator.” </p><p>Castillo and fellow seniors Courtney Gladys, Ashley Kerr, Maranda Smith and Rebekah Zaiser will run through the Gator head for the final time tonight as they take center stage at the O'Connell Center for Senior Night when No. 5 UF (8-2) takes on No. 9 Utah (7-2) at 7 p.m. in the final dual meet of the year. The senior quintet will be honored in a post-meet ceremony. </p><p>“It's extremely exciting for all five of us,” said Zaiser, who is headed to medical school. “Each one of us has had a really unique journey, and this is just the culmination of that journey. It's going to be a night to look back on the last four years and how amazing they've been, and our families are all going to be here, which makes it extra special. </p><p>“We're also really excited to have a really great team to compete against. Utah is a really good team, so it's kind of the first step in our postseason because we'll definitely be seeing them again at nationals. So it's a great chance for us to sharpen our skills.” </p><p>Utah is one of the most tradition-laden programs in the nation under longtime head coach (35 years) Greg Marsden. At last year's NCAA Championships, the Utes finished third and the Gators were fourth. </p><p>UF head coach Rhonda Faehn said tonight will definitely be a sentimen¬tal one. </p><p>“Every single year when it comes to this time, it's always hard for me,” she said. “I want to look at them individually and what they've brought to the program and how they've represented the university. Each and every one of them is extremely special in their own right. </p><p>“As a whole class, what a strong group and dedicated group. They are all at different levels. Some of them are competing in more events than others, but that doesn't matter. They all would do anything for the success of this program.” </p><p>And success is what they have continued. The Gators came into this season having recorded four consecutive top-four NCAA Super Six finishes under Faehn, a program-best streak, and this year's talented squad is a serious contender to win it all. </p><p>“We're going to main¬tain focus until the end of the meet, and then we're really going to enjoy the end ceremony,” Zaiser said.</p>