The No. 1 University of Florida gymnastics team (12-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) took a 197.00-196.75 win over No. 5 Utah (7-2) Friday evening in front of a NCAA record crowd of 15,558 at the Huntsman Center.
Florida led the meet from the opening event, but its biggest lead of 0.250 was at the midway point. Heading into the final rotation, that lead was narrowed to just 0.150. The Gators needed to hit on balance beam to finish their regular season with a win.
The Gators sealed the win with a six-for-six beam set. If the Gators were thinking about last week’s problems on beam at Arkansas which led to UF’s only loss of the season, they didn’t show it, as the Gators performed confidently on their final event.
“We were under pressure again (on the final rotation), so it was good that we were able to fight through it and come out with the win,” said freshman Alaina Johnson, who took second in the all-around at 39.425.
Florida sophomore Ashanée Dickerson shared first on balance beam at 9.875 with Utah’s Cortni Beers and Fumina Kobayashi. The Gators also received 9.85s from Elizabeth Mahlich, Marissa King and Mackenzie Caquatto as Florida finished the meet with a beam total of 49.25.
In Florida’s opening event, three consecutive Gators turned in uneven bars marks of 9.90 or better as UF turned in a total of 49.275 on the event. Mahlich equaled her collegiate-best of 9.90 for the second time this season. Florida’s freshmen duo of Caquatto and Johnson both posted marks of 9.925 to share the event title with Utah’s Stephanie McAllister.
Consecutive 9.90 marks continued to the Gators next event, the vault. Florida’s final three vaulters –Dickerson, Johnson and King, shared the meet’s event title at 9.90 with Utah’s Gael Mackie. For the event, the Gators posted a 49.40 – UF’s third-highest vault team total for 2011.
Florida’s floor exercise team total of 49.075 was held back by some steps and low landings on final tumbling passes. Senior Maranda Smith led the Gators on the event to tie for second overall at 9.85, while Randy Stageberg posted a 9.825.
Utah’s McAllister won the floor exercise (9.875) and all-around (39.45) Friday. Florida’s Dickerson was third at 39.35. King, making her first all-around performance of the season, turned in a 39.25 to take fourth.
