Florida Gators

DENVER, Colo. – The No. 9 University of Florida gymnastics squad (10-9, 2-3 SEC) took second Saturday at the Burnsely Invitational. The Gators turned in a team total of 195.15 to finish just behind No. 12 Penn State (195.375). Denver was third at 194.65, while Air Force rounded out the competition with a 194.075.
 
The Gators opened the meet on the balance beam and immediately found themselves in trouble, as the opening two competitors fell from the apparatus. The rest of the Gator lineup responded with solid routines. Florida was led on the event by freshman Kara Waterhouse, who matched her collegiate-best beam mark of 9.90 to tie for second overall. The balance beam title was claimed by Denver's Melanie Schiff at 9.925. Florida then moved to the floor, where the Gators turned in a solid set. Sophomore Lindsey Miner led the Gators on the event for the second meet in a row, turning in a mark of 9.85 to tie for second overall. DU's Ashley Shible claimed the floor crown with a score of 9.875.
 
The Gators turned in a season-best vault total of 49.15 Saturday. For the second time this season, senior Gabby Fuchs reset her collegiate-best vault mark, this time upping it to a Gator season-best 9.925 to tie for second overall. Fuchs took second overall in the evening's vault competition, which was won by Penn State Katie Rowland at 9.95. The Gators were again forced to count a fall toward their uneven bars team total.  Freshman Erin Pendleton led the Gators on the event for the third consecutive meet, turning in a collegiate-best 9.925 to shared the meet's title with PSU's Nikki Bongiovanni at 9.925.
 
The evening's all-around title was claimed by PSU's Katie Rowland at 39.55, while DU's Shible was second at 39.475. Florida's Hilary Thompson took fourth with a 39.15.
 
"I'm disappointed in how we started and ended the meet. We need to be stronger in these situations," UF Head Coach Judi Markell said. "We did have our best vault set of the season and Gabby (Fuchs) had a great vault. Hopefully we will learn from this and use it to improve for the future."
 
The Gators return home to play host to No. 3 Utah, North Carolina and George Washington for the final meet of the Gators' 2001 regular home season – the Subway Shamrock Showdown on Saturday, March 17. Meet time is set for 7 p.m. in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
 

Team Totals

	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	rank	Total
Penn State	49.25	49.10	48.275	48.75	1	195.375
Florida	49.15	48.50	48.50	49.00	2	195.15
Denver	48.85	48.375	48.325	49.10	3	194.65
Air Force	48.475	48.30	48.525	48.775	4	194.075