Florida gymnastics brings home 2012 SEC title

No. 1 Florida Gators gymnastics lived up to its ranking on Saturday, taking home the 2012 Southeastern Conference Championship in Duluth, GA.

Florida (197.150) defeated Alabama (196.775) for the title, edging past the 2011 NCAA and SEC champion for the Gators’ first conference title in three years. UF also beat Georgia (196.575), LSU (196.425) and Kentucky (194.35) to round out the top five.

The Gators won the vault (49.525) and uneven bars (49.375) outright, shared the top spot in the balance beam (49.050) and came in second on the floor exercise (49.200) on their way to the championship. Florida also picked up three individual titles with freshman Kytra Hunter winning the vault (9.975) and all-around (39.625), and sophomore Alaina Johnson taking home the uneven bars (9.925).

Hunter was named SEC Freshman of the Year at the event’s conclusion, and Florida head coach Rhonda Faehn was recognized the SEC Co-Coach of the Year.

Next up for UF is NCAA Regional action. The Gators will learn of their destination (likely Fayetteville, AR or Auburn, AL) on Monday and begin competition on April 7. The top two teams at each of the six regional events will compete in the NCAA Championships from April 20-22 at the site of Florida’s SEC Championship victory.

Photo Credit: @GatorZoneGym