Recent History
2017 – 3rd
2016 – 4th
2015 – 1st
2014 – 1st
2013 – 1st
2012 – 2nd
2011 – 7th
2010 – 5th

Florida has now gone two whole seasons without a title, which is like eight seasons, which is like a thousand seasons. The 2016-2017 journey was one of relative upheaval, with a new coaching staff and the departure of program-defining stars, excusing such lowly finishes as 3rd and 4th. (Scandal! Outrage!) But to most observers, if there’s going to be a Florida year again in the near future, 2018 is that year.

With all 24 postseason routines from 2017 retained, and two high-profile elite stars joining the program, Florida 2018 has no excuse not to outshine last year’s 3rd-place team was. It’s a title-or-bust season for the Gators.

Vault
Lineup locks
McMurtry (9.950), Slocum (9.945), Boren (9.925), Baker (9.900)
Lineup options
Skaggs (FR), Baumann (FR), Foberg (FR), Hundley (9.850), Chant (9.831), Gowey (9.800), Alexander (9.800), Cheney (9.750)

Among teams contending for the national championship, the goal on vault is a little different. It’s not simply about pulling together some 10.0 starts; it’s about having a whole lineup of 10.0s. That’s the Golden Fleece of current college gymnastics. No team has achieved a final lineup of six 10.0 starts so far in the new start-value era, but a few teams have a shot this year, of which Florida is one.

The core four from last season will return in McMurtry (DTY), Slocum (handspring pike 1/2), Boren (Y1.5), and Baker (Y1.5). For those four, it’s a disappointment when they score under 9.900, meaning that Florida will have realistic 49.5+ goals this year in most meets.

In terms of new routines, Florida is looking to get Skaggs and her very comfortable Y1.5 into the lineup as a fifth 10.0 start. That’s the vault project of greatest importance, and preseason showings from her have been very lineup-worthy.

We’re then left with a mad rush for the 6th spot. Of note, Hundley is attempting to add back the Y1.5 for 2017. It wasn’t competition-ready yet as of mid-December, but we’ll see if that project develops. We also know from their elite days that Foberg and Baumann are capable of 10.0 difficulty. So far, we haven’t seen that (Foberg showed an excellent full at the December intrasquad), but the possibility is there. Chant has a 10.0 start Tsuk 1/1, but she made the lineup with it only sporadically in 2017 for 9.8s, which won’t outscore the Yfull options. Continue reading 2018 Outlook – Florida Gators →