MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Gator gymnastics opened the season with a 195.90-194.425 win Friday at West Virginia in front of WVU Coliseum crowd of 2,613.
Florida swept each of the meet event titles. Senior Alex McMurtry won the meet’s opening two events – vault (9.90) and uneven bars (9.925). Three Gators shared the balance beam win at 9.90 – Alyssa Baumann, Alicia Boren and Rachel Gowey. Boren took the floor exercise win (9.925) and claimed the all-around with the top season-opening total ever for UF (39.575).
“Definitely a roller-coaster ride. However, there was some amazing highs to go along with the lows,” Florida coach Jenny Rowland said. “We knew coming into this competition no one was going to be perfect. It was a start to get the kinks worked out.
“I think there is a lot to take away from this meet – good and bad. Anything that was good, they can take away with a lot of confidence. Anything that wasn’t exactly how they planned it to go, they can take it and work on it for the next meet. This season is a marathon so there will be lots of opportunities to come.”
Freshman Jazmyn Foberg was an unexpected Gator all-arounder, as she stepped into the beam lineup to replace senior Kennedy Baker. A bout with the flu earlier in the week likely led to Baker’s leg cramps and she was replaced after bars in each of the three remaining events to be safe. Foberg was runner-up at 39.125 – the fifth-highest all-around for a freshman in a UF season opener.
Florida had a few bobbles during the evening but finished strong on its closing event. The Gators went six-for-six on beam, with four marks of 9.85 or better.
The Gators will host LSU next Friday.
We have to tighten that up by next week! The LSU Tigers are coming to town! Go Gators!
glad to see Ms. Boren rounding into form. she came with so many expectations, and her freshman year looked a little overwhelmed at nationals. as a junior with her talent, she should be a team leader. can somebody tell me if Ms. McMurtry competed all-around.