Gators Gymnastics Coach Jenny Rowland Speaks On Team Ahead of NCAA Regionals
Florida Gators Gymnastics is going into the NCAA regional as the #3 overall seed, and the highest seeded team in their region. Coming off an SEC tournament championship, head coach Jenny Rowland spoke with Steve Russell regarding the team.
The past three meetings for the Gators have been against the top teams in the nation, facing Oklahoma, Louisiana State and Alabama, all top five teams. The SEC conference has presented a challenge for Florida it has worked hard to overcome.
“It’s insane, and our session at the SEC tournament, the evening session, it was #1 Oklahoma, #2 LSU, #3 Florida, #4 Alabama,” Rowland said. “All on the same floor together. Couldn’t ask for anything better.”
The Gators got hot at the right time, and it led them to an SEC Championship over formidable competition.
Following the past few weeks of chaos, teams now have the opportunity to rest up before the NCAA tournament. However, the Gators can’t seem to shake their championship mindset according to Rowland.
“ Typically this week can be a little relaxing and this team just doesn’t have this mindset,” Rowland said. “They came in yesterday and it was, ‘alright, what do we need to do to get better?’ because we know there’s still some things that we can fix.”
The momentum for the Gators the past few weeks has been nothing short of incredible, and coach Rowland has been thrilled to see the team continue to grow through the challenges.
“Just over these last several weeks, the bond, the gel, the confidence that this team has continued to gain and believe in themself, just brought so much joy,” she said.
In addition, Rowland has had nothing but praise for the group of gymnasts she has had this year. They have had the ability to adapt all season and fix any mistakes they might make, and it has led to the coach’s confidence heading into the regional round of competition.
“I’m really grateful that they are mindful enough, they have the awareness, and the courage to look in the mirror and go ‘This isn’t working’ or ‘This is what’s working’,” Rowland said. “It’s relying and trusting what they’ve been training for this whole season.”
The Gators will take on California, Penn State, and the winner of Arizona State/Arizona on April 2nd in Tempe, Arizona.
Category: Gators Gymnastics
