Danie Ferris Holds Steady Amidst Florida Errors on Vault
No. 4 Florida gymnastics remains one of the nation’s top teams despite last week’s loss to No. 1 Oklahoma.
The Gators have excelled on events like bars, where they posted the second-highest score in the country this season. However, vault has yet to deliver the same results.
The event has been plagued with mistakes and has been the team’s lowest event in almost every meet. Scores range from 48.600 against Auburn to 49.425 in their opener.
Stumbles and missed sticks created minor deductions that quickly add up in close meets. Aside from a fluke 48.475 on bars against Missouri, vault scores have fluctuated the most out of Florida’s events this season.
Coach Jenny Rowland is in her 11th year at Florida and has experienced tremendous success at Florida. She attributes the team’s inconsistencies on vault to just one thing: trying too hard.
Rowland emphasized that the team has been performing well in warmups, just missing the mark in competition. Rather than isolating the event, she wants the Gators focused on staying present throughout the whole meet.
“If you make it a big deal, it’s going to be a big deal,” Rowland said. “This team is fully and totally capable of executing well. It’s about being relaxed, being mindful, being present and executing four events altogether in one meet.”
While the results lack consistency, junior Danie Ferris has been a crutch to the team. Ferris, in her third year at Florida, has posted above a 9.8 every week. Her season-high 9.925 came against Auburn back on Jan. 23.
Rowland praised Ferris for her resilience and passion, calling her reliability an important part of the team’s foundation.
“Her consistency has truly been a crucial part of this team and a big value since she was a freshman here.”
A Palm Coast native, Ferris grew up going to Florida meets. She had other offers but none of them felt quite as right as Florida, calling it her dream to be here.
Ferris talked about how important her mindset and focus are when it comes to vault preparation. She uses headphones before each meet, helping her block everything else out.
As the Gators head to Athens to face No. 6 Georgia, the steadiness Ferris brings to vault could be exactly what the lineup needs.
“I focus on that one moment and that one vault I have to do,” Ferris said. “I know that I am in control of what I do and that nothing that happened before me matters.”
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Gymnastics, Gymnastics
