Special report on the Florida Gators gymnastics team:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The 16th Annual Gators Link to Pink sponsored by UF Health is not just a meeting of two top-15 gymnastics teams. It is also a show of support for the fight against breast cancer.
No. 4 Florida plays host to No. 13 Arkansas Friday for this event that has become a Gainesville fan favorite. The meet starts at 8:15 p.m. in the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center<https://www.oconnellcenter.ufl.edu/events/gymnastics-vs-arkansas-link-to-pink/>.
About Gators Link to Pink:
Events aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and treatment will be included at Friday’s meet. These meets are part of a Southeastern Conference initiative and most of the league’s teams will participate in a “pink” meet this season. Team colors are set aside as the teams wear pink to show their support for the breast cancer fight.
Arrive Early to Cheer Your Gators
Be in your Exactech Arena seat by 8:15 p.m. to take in the pink-hued floor projection show which leads into Friday’s action.
Here’s some tips to expedite your trip to the Exactech Arena Friday:
Getting TO the Arena:
* Season parking holders can enter the O’Connell Center lot off Lemerand Drive OR SW 2nd Avenue.
* Public parking is available in the O’Connell Center parking garage on first-come basis. Those wishing to park in the garage must enter lot off SW 2nd Avenue.
* A complimentary parking shuttle transports fans from which originates at Garage 109 (located at corner of Archer Road and Lemerand Drive). Parking shuttle begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs 30 minutes post-meet. Parking map for Gator Gymnastics<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_documents_2021_12_15_2022-5FGYM-5FParking-5FMap.pdf&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=G_qXKhFyuacf8ovVXveo4Dz-XwdNff4TpYOfeyOrGMw&e= >
* Use the Waze app<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.waze.com_live-2Dmap_directions-3Fto-3Dll.29.6517704-252C-2D82.3508596&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=w0LBJdfTPgYeHOnJ9eIgq9aFQ8wi_8qYlQdVWc9NNA8&e= > to provide the best route to parking shuttle.
* For 5-10 minutes following Gator gymnastics meets, Lemerand Drive will close for north and south bound traffic from University Avenue to Stadium Road to provide pedestrians a safe exit.
* More information at 2022 Meet Guide<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sports_2015_12_10_-5Fgameday-5Fgymnastics-5F.aspx&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=i-YkqJg2gmGlKBC1TSTTMIX_h43_z5kXJPriv8OVjJ0&e= >
Getting IN the Arena:
* To get tickets ahead of Friday’s meet, visit the FloridaGators.com ticket site<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_sports_2015_12_10_-5Ftickets-5Fgymnastics-5F.aspx&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=pYi7ZFEpQ1iEtlygueM-YBBV2jX0KdQwLBwyMQ9bfWQ&e= > or stop by the Gator Ticket Office (open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
* The O’Connell Center ticket windows open at 6:30 p.m., with the gates opening at 7 p.m. Gates 1 and 2 will be open for each gymnastics meet. UF students should enter at Gate 3.
* All Gator Athletics tickets are mobile. Visit Mobile Ticketing Guide<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__spark.adobe.com_page_0oiC6OLlbeGQN_&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=Qbr3XEr-UMDvEkRKk-1QuUmmQ7OncSmxpx_OSrqIuTw&e= > to help expediate your entrance into the arena. To help zip through the entrance, be sure to add your tickets to your digital wallet in case of possible connectivity issues outside the gate. Then have tickets up on device to present for scanning.
* Bags are checked before entering the building. Everyone will go through the O’Connell Center metal detectors when entering. When using the metal detectors fans need to empty their pockets prior to screening, then walk through the detector. After that, tickets will be scanned and then you are ready to cheer your Gators!
Friday’s Promotions:
* Link to Pink t-shirts- Every seat in the Exactech Arena gets a 2022 Gators Link to Pink t-shirt, compliments of UF Health!
* Pink shakers – All in the lower bowl and 100 level will find a pink shaker on their seat, courtesy of UF Health.
* Food and Pink – You’ll find some pink-hued concession items Friday, including pink salted pretzels, pink lemonade and more!
* Student Tailgate – Arrive early at Gate 3 to enjoy free food, great music from GHQ, games, cornhole and more!
* Kid’s Corner – Located on the Practice Courts near Gate 4, kids can get temporary Gators tattoos, play games, make posters, take a photo with the 2021 SEC gymnastics trophy, meet the mascots & Dazzlers, and more! Get autographs from the Gators women’s basketball team and challenge them at pop-a-shot!
How to Follow the Gators:
Follow the action live:
* SEC Network<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.espn.com_watch_player-3Fid-3D68af70ab-2D8cd2-2D4d21-2D8e82-2D8d6338b8d6fe&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=slGDKJoj57um79C_TlowrWoVsMKfaDyOC_TSg1Tz680&e= > with Olympians John Roethlisberger and Alicia Sacramone Quinn calling the action
* Scores<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__stats.statbroadcast.com_statmonitr_-3Fid-3D381439&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=mk39NaS5wb27Dqw7lr96rjh-z8oqJRH2-P8aWMDVTas&e= >
National Rank:
Florida – Florida is No. 4 in the Week 3 Road to Nationals rankings<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__roadtonationals.com_results_standings_season_2022_3_0_5&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=8xWmoBt-gzrvyMVm_RQNGFalJ2wHyzlbMsIhJzb7G-k&e= >.
Arkansas – Arkansas is No. 13
The Gators in last Friday’s Road Opener:
Florida completed their busy week with a 196.975 – 194.475 win at Georgia on Jan. 21 to open 2022 road action. It was the Gators second meet of six-day span, as UF defeated then No. 11 Alabama 197.00-196.925 in Sunday’s home action.
A Gator won four events Friday. On the opening event, Florida’s final two performers – Trinity Thomas and Leanne Wong – each posted the nation’s leading uneven bars mark of 9.975. Nya Reed took her first vault win of the season at 9.95. She used the same mark to lead UF on floor to take third overall. In her first beam lineup appearance this season, Thomas used a 9.95 to claim the win.
Graduate Megan Skaggs tallied her season-high 39.525 for the second consecutive meet to claim her second straight all-around win.
Two Gators did suffer season-ending Achilles tendon tears at Georgia – sophomore Ellie Lazzari<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.instagram.com_p_CZGLtCfjYmw_-3Futm-5Fsource-3Dig-5Fweb-5Fcopy-5Flink&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=ELkdDO09m7Sp8Q3Q_-WIOf5IlENjArAK4EDhy5NaJ_8&e= > and senior Halley Taylor<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.instagram.com_p_CZF0hENJS3f_-3Futm-5Fsource-3Dig-5Fweb-5Fcopy-5Flink&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=TJtZmHePMlcQq_8USUIczn2–3lXMiuolNknnPH8D6g&e= >. They both underwent surgery earlier this week to repair the injury.
SEC Weekly Honors for Trinity Thomas
Her wins on bars (9.975) and beam (9.95) earned Thomas her second consecutive SEC Specialist of the Week honor<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__floridagators.com_news_2022_1_25_gymnastics-2Dtrinity-2Dthomas-2Dis-2Dsec-2Dspecialist-2Dgymnast-2Dof-2Dthe-2Dweek.aspx&d=DwIFAg&c=sJ6xIWYx-zLMB3EPkvcnVg&r=o5LKAX7slotfFMyE71jI7L22NYBIi1-KbRGNSXudTPo&m=1ldarKzqzDYiK_Sl8Nye9meOdx9JcUT44iTTcsfdiLmQ1okdvplDKfrD4_NpLequ&s=Wo8jPqsoP_tO0VYMAJ0P1m2Olmv6YaqWlmBmd19gNcA&e= >.
In a six-day span last week, Thomas turned in the nation’s leading scores of 2022 for vault & floor (10.0) and uneven bars (9.975).
Arkansas Opens Road Action Friday:
Arkansas comes into Gators Link to Pink after postponing its Jan. 21 trip to LSU due to COVID protocols within the Gymbacks program.
Senior All-American Kennedy Hambrick picked up the all-around win in both of Arkansas meets this season, posting a season-high 39.525 in the Jan. 14 narrow loss to Auburn. Arkansas’ 12 returners are joined by six freshmen. The Gymbacks also return Super Senior All-American Maggie O’Hara.