#5 Alabama at #1 Florida

How Bridget Sloan Transforms the Gators

How Bridget Sloan Transforms the Gators

How Bridget Sloan Transforms the Gators

Feb 9, 2013 by The GymShark
How Bridget Sloan Transforms the Gators
February 8, 2013
 
      
B ack in 2011 when Bridget Sloan committed to Florida, everyone knew the game had changed.  

That’s because Bridget Sloan is a game changer. 
   
At the time, Rhonda Faehn told Gatorzone,  “ Bridget’s accolades speak for themselves. She is one of the most accomplished gymnasts in the world… She was undoubtedly the number one recruit in the country and we are thrilled that she is going to be a Gator.”

Think about how fortunes would have changed if Bridget Sloan had made a different choice:  

What would Georgia’s outlook be today if Bridget were a Gymdog? Who would be their head coach right now? 

If Bridget had chosen Alabama, how incredible would that be for them, especially after losing Geralen Stack-Eaton to retirement?   

Bridget’s elite credentials and abilities create excitement and anticipation every time she steps up to the equipment.

Her presence in the lineup has transformed Florida from a Top 5 team with championship aspirations to the number one team in the nation that finally looks to have all the puzzle pieces needed to beat Alabama, UCLA, Oklahoma or anyone else that dares to think they have a shot. 
 
Championship Caliber Depth
Bridget has legitimate 10.0 scoring potential on the uneven bars and balance beam.

What is remarkable is that Florida already had other athletes with that potential before Bridget arrived. Macko has already scored a 10.0 on bars this season.

Adding Bridget to the lineup transforms a strong bars and beam team, into one that can achieve greatness. They don’t just have depth; they have a championship caliber roster.

Just look at what happened tonight on the uneven bars: Florida rested Alaina Johnson, plus Kytra Hunter fell, and Florida still scored 49.575.

Consider if the national championships are close and come down to the last rotation. Florida can beat you no matter the apparatus. You think you can beat Florida because they are finishing on bars and you’re finishing on floor? Au contraire mon frère, au contrare; maybe last year – but not now – this year, they have Bridget Sloan. 
 
All-Around Scoring Threat
Bridget is not a one-hit wonder – not by a longshot. She’s a great gymnast on all four events and proved it again tonight scoring 39.675 to win the all-around.

Check out her 9.90 vault from tonight: 
 http://www.gymnastike.org/coverage/250445-5-Alabama-at-1-Florida/video/691880-AL-vs-FL-2013-0208-Bridget-Sloan-Vault

Her uneven bars routine was a near perfect 9.95: 
http://www.gymnastike.org/coverage/250445-5-Alabama-at-1-Florida/video/691890-AL-vs-FL-08-Feb-2013-Bridget-Sloan-UB

Bridget then scored 9.9 on balance beam: 
 http://www.gymnastike.org/coverage/250445-5-Alabama-at-1-Florida/video/691913-AL-vs-FL-08-Feb-2013-Bridget-Sloan-BB

She wasn’t done yet; she scored 9.925 on floor exercise: 
 http://www.gymnastike.org/coverage/250445-5-Alabama-at-1-Florida/video/691916-AL-vs-FL-08-Feb-2013-Bridget-Sloan-FX

Bridget’s elite polish and high scoring results on every event has transformed Florida into a team with no weak points. 
 
The Superstar Factor
In the relatively short history of NCAA gymnastics, has a team ever won a championship without having a superstar? Someone out there will probably find an example, but it has to be rare.

Even better for winning championships is to have more than one superstar. Remember when UCLA had Jamie Dantzscher, Kristen Maloney, Kate Richardson, Jeanette Antolin, plus Canadian Olympians Yvonne Tousek and Michelle Conway?

How about when Georgia had Katie Heenan, Courtney Kupets, Tiffany Tolnay, Grace Taylor, and so many other greats?

UCLA and Georgia won multiple championships in the years when they had multiple superstars.

Florida has the likes of Macko, Alaina, Kytra, Ashanee, Marissa, and now Bridget Sloan – with more talent on the way next year. Could Florida be the next Alabama; or the next UCLA of the early 2000’s?

Winning now is great, but there is also another benefit to having a superstar on your roster: think about the cache’ that it adds to Florida’s recruiting efforts.

Having a superstar like Bridget can be enticing to top recruits who not only want a good education, but also want a championship ring. 
  
We Shall See...
A championship caliber roster is great, but you still have to show up for the meets, stay on the equipment and deliver on that potential. For all of Florida’s talent over the last few years, they haven’t won the big prize yet. We will all find out in April whether or not Bridget Sloan really was the final piece in the puzzle, or if the Gators will stumble as they did in 2011, and have to go back to the drawing board.

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