Florida Gators

RALEIGH, N.C. – It was a solid start Sunday of the 2017 season for the University of Florida gymnastics team. The Gators' winning total of 197.10 is the second highest in the program's 45-year history. North Carolina State posted a 194.925 Sunday at the newly renovated Reynolds Coliseum.
 
Weather was an issue in the Research Triangle this weekend, with the North Carolina State at North Carolina men's basketball game moving from Saturday to Sunday and NC State classes called off for Monday. The gymnastics meet went off as scheduled, with 1,639 fans on hand to see the first gymnastics meet in the Reynolds Coliseum in two years.



It was a great opening score, but it was evident the Gators scoring potential will move higher as the season progresses. Half of the routines came either newcomers or from returners who moved into a lineup this season.
 
A Gator took each of the meet event titles, with Florida's three who earned 2016 All-America honors taking the wins. Sophomore Alicia Boren's 9.95 on vault was the day's high score on any event and she also used a 9.925 to win balance beam. Juniors Kennedy Baker and Alex McMurtry won floor exercise (9.925) and uneven bars (9.90), respectively.
 
Baker led a Gator sweep of the all-around. Baker won at 39.50 and Boren was close behind at 39.475. Those tallies rank among the program's season opening best. Baker equals Gator All-American Bridget Sloan's total set last season as the top opening all-around road score, while Boren's 39.475 is third on that list. Amelia Hundley's mark is the highest for a freshman in a road season opener.
 
Florida looked especially sharp on vault, as its total of 49.45 Sunday was just a bit behind the team's 2016 season high total of 49.50. Four Gators posted marks of 9.875 or better on the event and that doesn't include junior transfer Rachel Slocum's 9.925 exhibition score for her front handspring pike-front half twist vault.
 
GATOR PERFORMANCE NOTES:

• Baker's 39.50 equals the third highest season opening all-around in school history. It was her fourth all-around title of her career.
• Freshman Amelia Hundley's total of 39.375 is the second-highest by a freshman in a season opener. She only trails the 39.425 set by Gator All-American Alaina Johnson in the 2011 opener in home action.
• McMurtry won uneven bars for the seventh time in her three-year career – with six of those wins coming since her sophomore season.
• Boren also opened the 2016 season with a balance beam win. It was her third win on the event for her Gator career.
• Baker's floor win was her seventh of her collegiate career and was her second consecutive floor win in the season opener.

RECORDS: Florida (1-0, 0-0 SEC); North Carolina State (0-1, 0-0 EAGL).
 
THE SERIES: Florida leads the series 28-1.

HEAR FROM THE GATORS:
Thoughts on first meet with the Gators:
"It was an amazing experience. I couldn't have asked for much more. We came in with goals of being consistent, have a lot of fun and bring the energy. I believe the team really did that.
 
"I've had a few moments after this competition to reflect on the performances today. The performances were great. I see a lot of potential for this team and I'm really looking forward to what the season brings." – Florida Head Coach Jenny Rowland
 
How did your first competition go?
"It felt amazing. I've always dreamt of this moment so just being with the team and competing and yelling for one another – I loved every minute of it." – freshman Amelia Hundley
 
Nice start in the all-around. What did you think of your performance?
"I went out and hit pretty well. My teammates had an amazing day. We had a few mistakes here and there, but overall, that was one of the best first meets the team's had since I've been here so I'm really proud of them." – junior All-American Kennedy Baker
 
How did you think the freshmen did?
"Oh my gosh! They were so composed. They were so ready. They had so much energy. They brought a lot to the table for the first meet so I can't wait to see what the rest of the season brings." – junior All-American Kennedy Baker
 
Are you ready for Friday's home opener?
"I'm so looking forward to Friday! Back in the O'Dome in front of our own fans. My mom's going to be there – I can't wait." – junior All-American Kennedy Baker
 
Nice all-around start. How did you feel out there?
"I felt really good. I had a good transition from last year to this year because I didn't do as well as I wanted to at nationals. But I hope to do better now. I felt confident, which is also something I didn't have last year." – sophomore All-America Alicia Boren
 
How did the freshmen do out there?
"The freshman did a great job. We had our problems and things we need to clean up but they had the confidence, they had the energy and they did the work. It definitely showed." – sophomore All-America Alicia Boren
 
WHERE'S COACH ROWLAND?
As the Gators headed back to Gainesville Sunday, Florida Head Coach Jenny Rowland headed to Indianapolis. Rowland is a Category 3 International Brevet level judge and every four years there is a seminar to review the scoring code and to be tested.
 
Providing all goes well in air travel, Rowland hopes to be back in Gainesville midway of the Friday's home opener. Adrian Burde and Owen Field, Florida's assistant coaches, will assume her coaching duties while she's out of town.

PRESEASON NATIONAL RANK:
Florida – Florida is No. 5 in the Road to Nationals preseason poll. Florida has appeared among the preseason top five teams each of the last 11 years.
 
UP NEXT:
It is a trio of season firsts coming up next for the Gators. Next Friday, the Gators open home and Southeastern Conference action when the team competes for the first time in the newly renovated Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
 
No. 21 Kentucky will open Florida's 2017 home action on Friday, Jan. 13. Meet time is set for 6:45 p.m.
 
Friday is an Orange-Out. As a coordinating accessory, the first 7,000 fans Friday receive orange glow bracelets. Come early to get your picture taken with Florida's 2016 SEC trophy. A complete list of promotions planned for the 2017 season can be found here.
 
This will be the Wildcats' second consecutive road meet, as Kentucky opened its season last Friday with a 195.075 – 192.050 win at Eastern Michigan.
 
There is still time to secure tickets to be there to see the first gymnastics meet in the renovated O'Connell Center. Visit the Gators ticket site for complete information.
 

2017 Gator Gymnastics Season Ticket Pricing
	Season	Single Meet
Reserved Adult Tickets:	$35	$8
Reserved Youth (12 & under)	$20	$8
General Admission Adult	$20	$5
General Admission Youth (12 & under)	Free	Free
UF Students w/ Gator1 ID		Free
Season Parking	$25

 
A live stream of the UF-UK meet can be seen at the SEC Network + for all SEC Network subscribers.

 

No. 5 Florida at North Carolina State Final Team Totals
Jan. 8, 2017 - Reynolds Coliseum (1,639)
Team	Vault	Bars	Beam	Floor	Total
Florida	49.45	49.125	49.400	49.125	197.100
North Carolina State	48.95	48.675	48.575	48.725	194.925