Florida captures 10th SEC Gymnastics title
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Florida Gators captured the 2016 SEC Championship title, their 10th in school history. With the win, the Gators move to second overall, only behind Georgia's 16 SEC titles. Florida got off to an impressive start on vault with five gymnasts scoring a 9.850 or higher. Sophomore Kennedy Baker led Gators' scoring, tying her season-high score with a 9.950.
Florida carried the momentum into Rotation 2 with a team bars score of 49.500. Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto and Alex McMurty each tallied a 9.925 for the Gators. On floor, Alabama also finished with a team score of 49.500. Tide sophomore Kiana Winston earned a 9.950, keeping Alabama in second place with a 98.775 after Rotation 2.
Rotation 3 saw the only perfect 10 of the night when LSU's Ashleigh Gnat executed a perfect floor routine. It was Gnat's sixth 10 of the season and her fourth on the floor routine. On beam, Florida senior Bridget Sloan took a fall, earning a 9.150, tying a season low for the Gator. Despite the slip, Florida continued to lead 48.350, with Alabama, LSU and Auburn trailing respectively.
In the final rotation, Sloan bounced back to tie a team high 9.925 on floor and seal the 2016 win for the Gators. This is the first win for Jenny Rowland as coach of the Gators.
When asked about the Gators performance, Coach Rowland had this to say: "Tonight was the most fun I've ever had at a gymnastics meet. They came in with a lot of energy. This is their favorite meet of the year. It's always been one of my favorite meets and it didn't disappoint. They did not disappoint each other. It was another step in the process - we've been talking about that all season long. This step was just unbelievable."
Florida had an outstanding day as a team and as individuals with Kennedy Baker and Alex McMurty finishing first and second in the All-Around. Alabama sophomore Mackenzie Brannan finished in third.
| Place | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1. |  Florida |
197.775 |
| 2. |  Alabama |
197.750 |
| 3. |  LSU |
197.500 |
| 4. |  Auburn |
196.975 |
| 5. |  Georgia |
196.850 |
| 6. |  Arkansas |
196.500 |
| 7. |  Kentucky |
196.250 |
| 8. |  Missouri |
195.750 |
Individual Winners:
- All-Around Champion: Kennedy Baker, UF - 39.650
- Vault Champions: Kennedy Baker, UF - 9.950; Mackenzie Brannan, ALA - 9.950; Brandie Jay, UGA - 9.950
- Uneven Bars Champions: Kiana Winston, ALA - 9.950; Katie Bailey, ALA - 9.950
- Balance Beam Champion: Alex McMurtry, UF - 9.950
- Floor Exercise Champion: Ashleigh Gnat, LSU - 10.000