The future continues to look bright for the #1 ranked NCAA Gymnastics team. After landing US National team member Alaina Johnson, USA World Team member Mackenzie Caquatto, and a verbal commit from her sister Bridgey Caquatto,  they've just gained another marquee athlete. It's official, 2008 Olympian and 2009 World All Around Champion Bridget Sloan has verbally committed to the University of Florida. Over the past few months she took visits to Florida, Georgia, and Utah but made the announcement that she would compete for Florida. However, she does still plan to pursue the 2012 Olympic Games. Below is the press release from USA Gymnastics.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., March 31, 2011 – 2009 World and U.S. all-around champion and 2008 Olympic Team silver-medalist Bridget Sloan of Pittsboro, Ind., has verbally committed to attend and compete for the University of Florida in the fall of 2012.

“Making this decision was by far one of the hardest of my life, and I took a long time and put a lot of thought into it, but it came down to where I felt the most comfortable,” said Sloan. “Florida seemed like the best place for me academically and for gymnastics, and I’m excited to be a Gator.”

Sloan, a senior honor roll student at Tri-West High School, became only the fifth U.S. woman to win the world all-around title at the 2009 World Championships. She was also a member of the 2010 World Championships Team that won the team silver medal and a vital member of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Team that earned the team silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Sloan will defer her collegiate eligibility until the fall of 2012 to allow her to pursue her dream of making the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team. She trains with Marvin Sharp at Sharp’s Gymnastics.

Watch Bridget Sloan videos on gymnastics