Skylar Draser Breaks Silence After Exit From Florida Gymnastics
Just one day after Florida removed three gymnasts from its roster, one is speaking up.
In an Instagram post Thursday evening, former Gators senior Skylar Draser announced she will graduate from the University of Florida in December and transfer to a new program with two years of eligibility remaining.
“I know I still have so much more to give to this sport. I am excited for the opportunity to continue competing at a high level, experience a new environment, build new relationships and continue growing as both a gymnast and a young woman,” Draser posted. “Here’s to new beginnings, finding where I belong and giving everything I have to a program that believes in its athletes as people, supports them through adversity, invests in their growth and holds everyone to the same standards.”
UF coach Jenny Rowland announced Draser and juniors Ly Bui and Lily Bruce are no longer with the program in a statement Wednesday.
“We wish them well moving forward,” Rowland said in the statement. “Our focus remains on supporting our athletes and maintaining a team culture built on accountability, respect and commitment.”
Draser competed in all four events in her Florida career, most consistently as the leadoff routine of the beam lineup. She has a career best 9.95 on the apparatus, matching that score twice in her career on vault.
In 2026, Draser competed all events but floor, with season highs of 9.9 and 9.95 on vault and beam, respectively. In her lone bars appearance as an event alternate, she posted a 9.825.
The New York native was also acknowledged for helping create the 2026 team motto, “The Promise,” emphasizing the team’s commitment to one another and the journey to the national championship. Draser helped lead this Gators program to an SEC Championship and thirdplace finish at the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth.
“Simply put I made my commitment to UF at such a young age and gave everything to the best of my ability to stay true to that commitment even when I questioned my happiness and whether this was truly where I belonged,” Draser posted.
Because no reason was publicly given for the dismissal, many rumors have spiraled about Draser, Bui and Bruce. Draser did not give a reason, emphasizing she walked away rather than got removed.
“I never imagined that stepping away from Florida in the middle of my final year would mean seeing my name circulating online attached to so many hurtful and disturbing false narratives,” Draser wrote. “It is heartbreaking to see people create stories about situations they know nothing about. While I cannot control what others choose to say or believe, I know the truth, I know my character and I know what I gave to this program.”
With so much speculation floating, Gators gymnastics alumni are also chiming in.
The most vocal is 2026 graduate Selena Harris-Miranda. She commented on a post Monday reporting the rumored dismissal from a top program in the NCAA, “the coaches be bonkers bro.” Harris-Miranda was dismissed from UCLA after the 2024 season before transferring to Florida.
And on Draser’s post, former Gators all arounder Payton Richards commented, “if only people knew the truth about Gator gym.”
Two current team members also commented. Senior Anya Pilgrim told Draser, “will miss you,” and sophomore Maddy Dorbin said, “Lots of love for you.”
Bui and Bruce have yet to make a statement of their own. WRUF reached out to the trio and team alumni for comment but has yet to receive a direct response at the time of publication.
“I love you, and I’m so very proud of you always,” Bruce commented on Draser’s post Friday afternoon. “I hope wherever takes you next brings you so much happiness. Love you sister.”
Category: Gator Sports, Gators Gymnastics
