The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as No. 4 Florida heads to Athens to face No.
6 Georgia in a top-10 SEC gymnastics clash at Stegeman Coliseum. This storied rivalry, with Georgia leading the all-time series 93-69-1, has been a staple in the programs’ histories, and recent encounters have been nail-biters, often decided by mere tenths of a point.
Florida, sitting at 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC, is eager to rebound from a tough 198.075-197.575 loss against top-ranked Oklahoma. That defeat snapped their home winning streak and marked the first time since 2006 that the Gators have dropped consecutive SEC meets.
Despite the setback, Florida displayed their prowess, setting a national season-high on uneven bars with a 49.65 and maintaining their top national ranking on bars with a 49.563 National Qualifying Score (NQS). They also hold the No. 2 spot on beam with a 49.430 NQS.
Senior standout Selena Harris-Miranda continues to be a force for the Gators, delivering multiple 9.95-plus performances on beam and floor this season. Junior Kayla DiCello, back in all-around competition, is hitting her stride, while Skye Blakely and Riley McCusker anchor Florida’s bars lineup with some of the nation’s best routines.
On the other side, Georgia enters the meet with a 9-2 overall record and a 2-2 mark in the SEC. The GymDogs are fresh off a 197.65 performance at the Valentine’s Day Metroplex Challenge, just shy of their season-best 197.675. Georgia’s impressive freshman class, ranked No. 3 nationally, has been making waves, and junior Lily Smith recently earned SEC Specialist of the Week honors with stellar performances on bars and floor.
With Florida ranked No. 4 nationally with a 197.456 NQS and Georgia at No. 6 with a 197.290, this meet is crucial for postseason positioning. Both teams are capable of posting scores north of 197.7, making execution and landings in the final rotations critical. Given the history of this rivalry, where 17 meetings have been decided by two-tenths or less, fans can expect another heart-stopping finish.
For Florida, this meet is more than just a chance to boost their standings; it’s an opportunity to regain momentum as they push into the latter half of their SEC schedule. The action kicks off at 7 p.m. on SEC Network, marking the 164th all-time meeting between these fierce competitors.