The Florida Gators gymnastics program opened its 2019 season on Friday night without sophomore Alyssa Baumann, a key competitor on a team that finished third at the 2018 NCAA Championships.
And the Gators did indeed miss Baumann — but not that much.
The Gators rallied from early struggles to shine on opening night, securing a 197.300-196.450 win over the No. 11 Missouri Tigers by posting their best season opening score ever. (Florida’s previous high in a season opener was a 197.125 in a victory over Illinois-Chicago in 2008.)
It’s also the second-highest season opening score of this 2019 season, and the best score not posted by the juggernaut that dons crimson and cream at Oklahoma.