TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Florida gymnastics got off to a fast start on Friday and never looked back.
The Gators scored five 9.9s or better on the floor to kick off a big night, scoring 198.225 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the Tuscaloosa Regional. The No. 3-seeded Gators advanced alongside No. 14-seed Oregon State, which scored 197.050. NC State and Clemson were eliminated.
Florida's score bested the three other teams moving onto the regional finals, with No. 6 seed Cal scoring 197.550 and 11-seed Alabama scoring 197.275 earlier on Friday.
Florida advances to the regional final in Tuscaloosa, which will start at 6 p.m. ET/5p.m. CT on Sunday at Coleman Coliseum.
Florida all-around stars battles with Olympian
There was just three all-around competitors on Friday with Florida's Selena Harris-Miranda and Leanne Wong battling Oregon State and two-time Olympian Jade Carey. Carey got off to a fast start with two 9.95s, but the Gators were still on her heels all night.
Carey ended up winning, but Wong matched Carey outside of the 9.925 in the first rotation. Carey had a 10 and three 9.95s for a total of 38.850 to Wong's total of 39.775. Harris-Miranda finished with a 39.7.
Deja Vu for Gators in Alabama
Friday resembles the scores the Gators had during a regular season meet at Coleman Coliseum, where floor and beam led to a 198.125 in March. The Gators couldn't set a new season-best total but it's hard to complain when you break 198 to start the NCAA Tournament. The Gators best came with a 198.625 against Kentucky this season, but Friday is the fifth time out of 12 meets they have broken the 198-mark this season.
Hot start on floor for Gators
The Gators sure did put their best foot forward to start the NCAA Tournament, with five 9.9s or better on the floor and dropping a 9.85, as they scored a 49.575 just a tenth-and-half off their season best. Taylor Clark led the way with a 9.95 as Leanne Wong scored a 9.925.
It gave them an early 0.250 lead and kept them well off the cutting block going into the rest of the competition.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida gymnastics eclipses 198 mark to advance in NCAA Tournament
