Gator Gymnastics Dominates Georgia: Back-to-Back Perfect 10s at the O’Dome

10,013 fans packed the O’Dome Friday night to witness one of the best Gator gymnastics home openers in school history. The third ranked Florida gymnastics team knocked off the sixth ranked GymDogs with the fifth largest score in school history, dominating Georgia 198.05 to 196.7. Dressed in leotards full of rhinestones the defending national champions didn’t start out as strong as they hoped on vault, scoring 49.350.  Junior Kytra Hunter, sophomore SEC Gymnast of the Week Bridget Sloan, and Bridgette Caquatto posted scores of 9.90 or above; while the Bulldogs scored 49.300 overall on vault. Hunter says she knows what the team is capable of and believes the team could have performed better on vault. “We’re a great vault team,” Hunter said.  “I mean it’s a fight and it takes a lot of practice but we just have to keep going and keep pushing each other. One little bad day, no one wants that. We’re all fighting and trying to get better and get the highest score in team history, so we’re just going to keep working towards it.” Florida came up short on uneven bars scoring 49.450 while the Bulldogs scored 49.600. Caquatto led the way scoring a perfect 10,  Hunter scored a near-perfect 9.95, while Sloan, Alaina Johnson, and Biance Dancose-Giamba scored 9.85. Moving onto the third rotation,  the Gators gained momentum and re-ignited their flame scoring 49.375 on beam. Mackenzie Caquatto came out strong scoring 9.95, while Hunter and Sloan scored 9.90. Trailing in the running score through three rotations, Florida saved their best for last. In the floor exercise, Sloan and Hunter recorded back to back perfect 10’s, proving how elite the team really is. “It was like an earthquake went off when we were on floor,” Gator head coach Rhonda Faehn said. Sloan agreed. “Floor was awesome, it was absolutely incredible to be at home and get a 10,” Sloan said. “We were all jumping up and down and then I told Coach Faehn that  if I could get a 10, Kytra could get an 11.” And after she went and landed on her last pass it was like an explosion in the O’ Dome.” The last 10 scored on floor was SEVENTEEN years ago in 1997, and the last time TWO Gators that scored a perfect 10 on the same night was in 1996 when Amy Myerson and Kristen Guise did so on bars.  So history was set Friday as for the first time in Florida gymnastics history two gymnasts scored two perfect 10’s in the same night on floor. “I’ve never seen it,” Feahn said. “I remember the feeling of getting it. The first thing I did was look to the crowd. Gymnasts love to perform and to do that for everyone in the stands, and I felt that tonight when Bridget and Kytra did it. They’ll always have that feeling of what it felt like to be perfect.” In the immediate aftermath of Friday’s meet, Sloan explained how the team’s bond and connection fuels the team’s drive to succeed during competition. “Kyt and I have always worked really well competing together,” Sloan said.  “We feed off of each other in the most positive way possible as a team, and I think that’s what makes our team so incredible.” Junior Rachel Spicer, competing on the floor for the first time since her freshman year also hit a career-high 9.975 during her floor routine after Mackenzie Caquatto and Claire Boyce opened with strong scores. “It felt so great,” Spicer said. “I get so excited not only for myself but for my teammates. We’re all in it for each other and we all have the same goal at the end of the season, so it’s great to be working hard and building now.” What a way to conclude their first home meet since winning their first national title last April in Los Angeles.

Up next, the Gators face Oklahoma in the O’ Dome Friday, January 31st at 7 p.m.

To hear audio story, click below: Faehn on two perfect scores on floor

Faehn on Hunter and Sloan Sloan on scoring a perfect 10

Sloan’s bond with Hunter Hunter on this year’s team Hunter on first two rotations

Spicer’s thoughts on meet Bridgette Caquatto on first home meet

[jwplayer config=”News-video” file=”wruf/CHELSEA-GYMNASTICS.mp4″ html5_file=http://fms01.jou.ufl.edu/wruf/CHELSEA-GYMNASTICS.mp4]

 

 

About Bonnie Mott

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this Sunday …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Sweet Sixteen

Tar Heels and Crimson Tide Advance to Face Off in Sweet Sixteen

Alabama and North Carolina will face off in the Men’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Sweet …