No. 3 Florida Gymnastics Sets Sights on NCAA Championships in Fort Worth

The No. 3 Florida gymnastics team is returning to the national stage, heading to Fort Worth, Texas, for the NCAA Championships. After a season defined by resilience and high-scoring performances, the Gators are prepared to compete for a national title at Dickies Arena.

Road to the Semifinals: A Record-Breaking Run

Florida secured its spot in the championships by winning the NCAA Tempe Regional. The Gators made program history at the Desert Financial Arena, posting a 198.050 to win the meet and claim their 23rd NCAA Regional trophy. This performance marked Florida’s fifth consecutive total above 198, establishing a modern program record.

Key individual performances fueled the regional victory:

• Selena Harris-Miranda: Placed second in the all-around, scoring above 9.9 on every event, including a collegiate-best 9.975 on floor to win the event title.
• Kayla DiCello: Shared the beam title with a 9.925 and contributed a 9.9 on vault.
• Skye Blakely: Led the team on bars with a 9.95, following her first career 10.0 during the regional semifinal.
• eMjae Frazier: Placed third in the all-around and contributed a 9.925 on floor.

NCAA Championship Schedule and Format

The competition utilizes the “Four on the Floor” format, now in its seventh year. Florida enters the championships as the team with the most appearances in the field, marking their 42nd trip to the event. The Gators have a strong history of success in this environment, reaching the national final in 17 of their last 20 appearances and securing national titles in 2013 and 2015, as well as a shared crown in 2014.

Semifinal Matchups

Florida will compete in Semifinal I on Thursday, April 16, at 4:30 p.m. ET. The session will be broadcast live on ESPN2. The Gators will face off against three other top programs:

• No. 2 LSU
• No. 6 Georgia
• No. 7 Stanford

A top-two finish in this session will secure Florida a spot in the team final on Saturday, April 18, at 4 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Full Championship Field

The field includes six of the top eight seeds, along with two teams from outside the top eight: No. 9 Arkansas and No. 13 Minnesota. The second semifinal session (Session II) features No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 4 UCLA, No. 9 Arkansas, and No. 13 Minnesota.

Key Takeaways for the Gators

• Experience: With 42 total appearances, Florida is the most experienced team in the current field.
• Momentum: The team is coming off an SEC Championship title and a record-breaking regional performance.
• Goal: A top-two finish on Thursday is required to advance to the Saturday final.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the NCAA Gymnastics Championships being held?

The championships are taking place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

When does Florida compete in the semifinals?

Florida competes in Semifinal I on Thursday, April 16, at 4:30 p.m. ET.

How can fans watch the Florida gymnastics semifinal?

The semifinal session will air live at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.