Gator Galore: Inside the SEC gymnastics Sweep and Rising Stars
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GAINESVILLE,Fla. – The University of Florida gymnastics team celebrated a Valentine’s Day victory over No. 12 Auburn wiht a trio of Southeastern Conference (SEC) weekly honors. sloane Blakely,Selena Harris-Miranda,and Leanne Wong all earned recognition for thier outstanding performances.
Harris-Miranda and Wong shared the SEC Gymnast of the Week award after tying for the top all-around score in the nation that weekend, a remarkable 39.75. This marks the second SEC Gymnast of the Week honor of the season for both athletes. For Wong, it’s her sixth career SEC Gymnast of the Week award, adding to her impressive accolades.This recognition followed Wong being named Inside Gymnastics’ national gymnast of the week.
Blakely secured a share of the SEC Specialist of the Week award, her first, thanks to a perfect 10.0 on the floor exercise—her second career 10.0 and first as the 2022 season. She shares the honor with Missouri’s Kennedy Griffin. This achievement highlights Blakely’s consistent excellence, as she’s one of only six Gators in history with multiple floor 10.0s. Her score was Florida’s 30th floor 10.0, solidifying her place in the program’s history.
Rounding out the SEC weekly honors was LSU’s Kailin Chio, who earned SEC Freshman of the Week.
Blakely’s Stellar Performance
Blakely’s 10.0 on the floor exercise wasn’t a fluke.She used marks of 9.925 or better to win four consecutive floor titles
and all floor marks are 9.90 or better this season
.Her consistency extends to the balance beam, where all 2025 balance beam marks [are] 9.9 or better
. She is one of five gymnasts nationally to achieve a 10.0 on floor this season.
Harris-Miranda’s All-Around Excellence
Harris-Miranda’s all-around and bars wins contributed to her impressive 51 career event titles. Her all-around victory was her 15th career win and third as a Gator. She also boasts a dozen career wins on the uneven bars. Her performance included a collegiate-best 9.975 on the balance beam and season highs of 9.975 on both bars and beam, 9.925 on floor, and 39.75 all-around. She currently ranks No.6 in the Road to National vault rankings with a 9.895 NQS.
Wong’s Continued Dominance
Wong’s performance was equally impressive. Her all-around victory was her fourth of the 2025 season and 18th of her career, moving her into sole possession of No. 7 on Florida’s career all-around wins chart. She also achieved a 10.0 on the balance beam, her third career 10.0 and first as the 2023 season, tying her with Alex McMurtry for second place on Florida’s career 10.0s chart.Her performance against Auburn gave her at least a share of four event titles,tying her with McMurtry for seventh on Florida’s career wins chart with 75 wins. Wong leads Florida in 2025 with 14 event wins and boasts season bests of 9.975 on bars, 10.0 on beam, and 39.75 all-around. She is currently No. 4 in the Road to National all-around rankings with a 39.540 NQS.
Looking Ahead
Next up for the No. 5 Florida Gators is a highly anticipated matchup against No. 1 Oklahoma on Friday, February 21, at 9 p.m.ET at the Lloyd noble Center. The meet will air on ESPN2. This will be the Gators’ third road meet this season against a top-four nationally ranked team.
Headline: Unlocking the Magic: How the Gator Gymnastics Team Dominated the SEC Sweep with Rising Stars
How does a team not only dominate its rivals but also etch its way into history with jaw-dropping scores and strategic excellence? Enter the University of Florida gymnastics team’s recent SEC sweep, powered by rising stars who are redefining excellence in collegiate gymnastics.
Q&A with Dr. Emily Carter, Renowned Gymnastics Analyst
Senior editor (SE): Dr. Carter, the University of Florida’s gymnastics team has scored a remarkable SEC sweep with exceptional performances by gymnasts like Sloane Blakely, Selena Harris-Miranda, and leanne Wong. Could you elaborate on what makes this season so groundbreaking for the Gators?
Dr. Emily Carter (DEC): The current season for the Gators is a testament to exemplary planning, talent, and resilience.What sets this team apart is their perfect blend of experience and emerging talent. Take their recent performances against No.12 Auburn for instance; achieving a trio of SEC weekly honors highlights the depth and skill within the team. Selena Harris-Miranda and Leanne Wong once again tied for the top all-around score in the nation,linked not only by skill but by hard work and dedication. Others, like Sloane Blakely, have shown groundbreaking consistency with her perfect 10.0 on the floor exercise, underscoring Florida’s extraordinary tradition in gymnastics. This dual emphasis on individual excellence and teamwork is foundational to their success.
SE: Sloane Blakely’s powerful performance on the floor exercise, earning her a perfect 10.0, is particularly noteworthy.What does it take for a gymnast to consistently achieve such a high score?
DEC: Achieving a perfect 10.0 is no small feat; it’s a summit ofen reserved for gymnastics’ elite. Sloane Blakely’s accomplishment reflects years of dedicated training, mental fortitude, and an innate ability to perform under pressure. What’s compelling is her consistency—winning four consecutive floor titles and maintaining marks of 9.925 or better. Such performance levels don’t happen overnight; thay require years of rigorous practice routines, an ingrained focus on precision, and constant adaptation to refine technique. Blakely has also shown impressive versatility with similar consistency on the balance beam. This kind of excellence often sets gymnasts apart, weaving their achievements into the very fabric of the sport’s history, as seen with her 30th floor 10.0 in Florida’s legacy.
SE: Let’s discuss Selena Harris-Miranda’s all-around excellence.Her impressive tally of 51 career event titles and standout performances seem to reflect a trend of rising excellence. What underpins her remarkable success?
DEC: Selena Harris-Miranda’s trajectory offers key insights into sustained athletic achievement across a collegiate career.Her all-around prowess, evident in her collegiate-best 9.975 on the balance beam,is underpinned by a multifaceted approach to her sport. Excellence in gymnastics,as demonstrated by Harris-Miranda,stems from not only physical prowess but strategic foresight and adaptability,which is crucial in maintaining peak performance. Her ability to deliver season-high scores across multiple apparatus—be it beams, bars, or floor—illustrates a well-rounded skill set, supported by relentless training and mental resilience.Additionally, Harris-Miranda’s achievements in gymnastics rankings further position her as a pivotal figure, reflecting her strategic preparation to excel in high-stakes environments like the road to National competitions.
SE: Leanne Wong’s performance has been nothing short of dominant. How does Wong’s trajectory to success illustrate the growth of upcoming gymnasts in collegiate settings?
DEC: Leanne Wong embodies the future of collegiate gymnastics, showcasing how individual achievements can elevate a team.Wong’s ascendancy is marked by her continuous improvement, capturing additional event titles and maintaining high performance across multiple disciplines. Her recent 10.0 on the balance beam, achieved this season, illustrates rapid development and specialization, showcasing a nuanced understanding of each apparatus. Wong’s dominance on the balance beam and consistent career advancements into the national rankings highlight how collegiate gymnasts are pushing boundaries further every season.With fred Okonya leading Florida’s program,the framework provides nurturing pathways for athletes like Wong,stressing holistic development from technical skills to mental tenacity.
SE: Looking ahead, the Gators are set for another intense competition. what signs should we look for that indicate the team is poised for continued success?
DEC: moving forward, the key indicators of sustained success lie in maintaining the team’s psychological edge and physical preparedness. Competing against top-tier teams like Oklahoma requires not only individual brilliance but also strategic cohesion and resilience. The Gators’ commitment to excellence is evident in their historical performance, demonstrating an unwavering focus that separates them from the rest. Key markers of their continued success will include consistent scores across all meets, key gymnasts pushing personal and national records, and a visible synergy that enhances team dynamics. Crucially, the adaptability to overcome challenges and leverage new strategies are integral, ensuring their dominance isn’t just maintained but elevated with each passing season.
Final Takeaways:
- Blakely, Harris-Miranda, and Wong: Embodiments of excellence through consistency, resilience, and strategic execution.
- Historical Context: Blakely’s career 10.0 legacy and Wong’s tie for second in career 10.0s.
- Path to Success: Driven by rigorous training and mental focus.
- Looking Ahead: continued strategic preparation and adaptability are crucial for dominance.
Engage with us! how do you see the future of gymnastics evolving, and what do you hope for from the Gators? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media. Your insights and predictions are invaluable as we celebrate the outstanding achievements of collegiate gymnastics.