FORT WORTH, Texas, April 18, 2015 – Led by all-around champ Kytra Hunter and 2009 World all-around champion Bridget Sloan, the University of Florida Gators won their third NCAA team title in a row at the National Collegiate Women’s Gymnastics Championships in the Fort Worth Convention Center Arena. The Gators won their first collegiate title in 2013 and shared the title last year with the University of Oklahoma.
Florida totaled a 197.850, followed by the University of Utah with a 197.800 and Oklahoma earned a 197.525 to round out the top three. The Gators are coached by 1988 Olympic alternate Rhonda Faehn and are the first team to win three titles in a row since the University of Georgia’s string of five (2005-09).
The Gators got underway with a solid beam rotation that earned a 49.300 total. Hunter led the way with a 9.900 after sticking her double back dismount.
On the floor exercise, Florida counted no score below 9.900 for a 49.650. Hunter soared on her double layout mount and was nearly flawless for a 9.975. Sloan performed to Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes and tumbled a front double full for a 9.950. Former national team member Kennedy Baker mounted with a piked Arabian double and added a 9.925.
Next, Florida moved to the vault where they scored a 49.450. Hunter was again the top scorer on the event, nearly sticking her Yurchenko one-and-a-half for a 9.925. Sloan, Baker and Alex McMurty added 9.900s for their Yurchenko fulls.
Needing better than 9.900 to take the title, McMurty stuck her full-twisting double back dismount off the uneven bars for a 9.950 and the national title in the final rotation. Sloan also scored 9.950, executing a toe-on Tkatchev and a stuck double layout. Florida’s bars total was 49.450.
Competition concludes tomorrow with the individual event finals, beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
Sunday, April 19
- 3 p.m. – Individual Event Finals | Live Results | Live Video