©Erin Long

The No. 3 Florida Gators dominated while on the road against the Missouri Tigers.  The Gators easily won the meet totaling 198.2, their second highest team score of the season, to Missouri’s 194.3.

With an uncharacteristic mistake by Kytra Hunter on bars during the first rotation, the Gators quickly rebounded and still managed to post a 49.625. Sophomore Bridget Sloan led the team with an exceptional 9.975 routine.

Moving on to vault, Sloan and Hunter both had the highest marks of the night, a 9.95.

Hunter’s prior fall on bars clearly did not phase her on floor exercise. Scoring another perfect 10.0, Kytra has now totaled six 10.0’s this season.  Bridget Sloan and senior Mackenzie Caquatto were right behind her, scoring a 9.95 and a 9.925 respectively.

On the final beam rotation, Alaina Johnson, Mackenzie Caquatto and Bridget Sloan, all recorded a 9.9 or above, thus contributing to the teams 49.475 beam total.

The Tigers were once again missing their top competitor, Rachel Updike.  However, her absence gave the Missouri freshmen a chance to shine.  All five competed, with Angie Kern and Anna Bowers both posting Missouri’s highest score on floor (9.825).

Florida’s Bridget Sloan won the all-around with a 39.825, tying the school-record set last weekend by Johnson and breaking her season high.

The Gator’s outstanding performance will boost their place in the NCAA rankings to #1. Their 198.200 team score is the best away score in the nation so far.

These two teams will meet again soon, as both travel to the SEC Championship in Birmingham, Alabama next Saturday.