Six freshmen are joining a talented Gators gymnastics team that’s anxious to prove itself once again this season. For inspiration, the great Trinity Thomas is back as an assistant coach.

by Pat Dooley (BSJ ’76)

You probably don’t want to hear about Name, Image and Likeness (aka, NIL). But let me give you an example where it’s working for the good of the sport.

Gymnastics.

“[Before] NIL began, the athletes committed to Florida had to make a choice: Do I take an agent and make money or go to NCAA gymnastics?” Coach Jenny Rowland said. “Now, athletes [can] do everything they want to do. It’s helped us explode our sport with all these great athletes competing.”

That’s good news for gymnastics at the college level, where we’re seeing the best of the best. The bad news is it means the Gators will be missing some of its best in 2024.

All-American and last season’s SEC Freshman of the Year Kayla DiCello is taking a “gap year” to concentrate on the Olympics. Incoming freshman Skye Blakely is deferring her start at UF to shoot for the Games, too. And junior All-American Leanne Wong will compete for the Gators, but with an eye on Paris.

“We told them all coming here that we’re here to support them,” Rowland said. “We’re committed to working with Leanne this college season to help her get ready for what’s coming next.”

Rowland, who is starting her eighth season as the Gators coach, has compiled an impressive winning percentage of .839 and her teams have finished second in the nation each of the last two years (while winning back-to-back SEC titles). This season will be a bit of a challenge, but you can hear the enthusiasm in her voice.

“There’s going to be new vibes from this team,” she said. “With a lot of youth comes ups and downs and a lot of excitement and joy.”

It’s a team with six freshmen and enough veterans to carry the load. Senior Victoria Nguyen, junior Riley McCusker and junior Sloane Blakely are athletes Gator fans are used to cheering for. Even so, this year’s group will only go as high as the freshmen bounce. The incoming class is the foundation for this season and future ones. Rowland is counting on the older gymnasts to show the kids the ropes.

“What’s really special is there’s a lot of new faces,” Blakely said. “There’s a lot of new people, a lot of new things, new skills, and that’s what makes this team special.”

And there’s also a new student assistant coach named Trinity Thomas — arguably the best Gator gymnast ever — to learn from and lean on.

“When she talks, people listen,” Rowland said.

Nevertheless, it’ll be a tough year in the talent-rich SEC and with a March trip to Lincoln, Neb., for a huge quad meet. We’ll see just how good these Gators will be when the season kicks off on Jan. 12. That will be the first real look at our freshmen in live competition. The one to keep an eye on is Danie Ferris, the nation’s No. 2 recruit, according to Gym News. Another name to remember is Anya Pilgrim, who Rowland accompanied to the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, and the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile.

While it can be difficult for freshmen in any sport, Rowland is confident in each of the six newcomers. We also know injuries happen, judges don’t always give the scores we think are deserved and competing on the road is difficult.

Which means it will be an interesting season for a team dealing with the loss of so many talented gymnasts from last season. Yet, the reality is UF is doing it the right way, putting the needs of student-athletes in the forefront.

One other thing is certain, Rowland has made Gators gymnastics must-see, whether it’s on TV or in person.

Sportswriter Pat Dooley (BSJ ’76) covered the Gators for The Gainesville Sun for 33 years until his retirement in 2020. He still shares his love for Gator sports through his podcast, “Another Dooley Noted,” and WRUF radio program, “Dooley’s Back 9.” His Gator Nation News column does not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Florida.