Florida Gymnastics Takes Over No. 1 Spot - and the SEC Heat Turns Up With Alabama Coming to Town
For the first time in five years, Florida gymnastics sits atop the national rankings - and they didn’t just sneak their way in. The Gators vaulted from No. 3 to No. 1 in the Road to Nationals standings behind a statement performance: a 197.725 score in a quad meet against North Carolina, Temple, and West Virginia. That’s the highest mark posted by any team in the country so far this season, and it’s a clear signal - Florida is not just back, they’re aiming for it all.
But if the Gators are going to stay on top, they’ll have to earn it. SEC play opens Friday, and Florida’s first test is a big one - a top-five showdown with No.
4 Alabama. The Crimson Tide are rolling in with momentum of their own after a 197.425 road win at Clemson, highlighted by Azaraya Ra-Akbar’s electric 9.975 performance.
Florida’s Selena Harris-Miranda matched that same score last Friday, so expect fireworks when these two go head-to-head.
This rivalry has history, and a lot of it. Alabama leads the all-time series 77-66-2, but recent matchups have tilted in the Gators’ favor.
Florida swept all four meetings with the Tide last season - regular season, SEC Tournament, NCAA Regional, and NCAA Semifinal. That’s dominance, plain and simple.
Still, Alabama hasn’t forgotten, and they’ll be looking to flip the script. It’s worth noting: Florida hasn’t beaten the Tide at home since 2022.
Both programs have national pedigree. Alabama boasts six NCAA titles and made it to the semifinals last year, where they were eliminated alongside Florida. These are two of the sport’s heavyweights, and when they meet, it always means something.
So here we are - No. 1 vs. No. 4, with SEC bragging rights and national momentum on the line.
Florida’s got the top spot, but Alabama’s got the history. This one’s set to be a showdown between two teams that know exactly what it takes to compete at the highest level - and aren’t afraid of the spotlight.