What’s the highlight of the NCAA Gymnastics 2025 season? Perfect 10s? A stricter scoring system? Audience turnout? Stunning performances? Um, all of it is there. But something is still missing, and so are some of the athletes! Yes, this is it. This season we are witnessing multiple changes in the roster like never before. All thanks to INJURIES! This season has been plagued with injuries, and it seems none of the 36 teams have been able to shield themselves from this plague. The Florida Gators began with a lot of weaponry inside the house. But they are now down with one less! And who’s that? 

The Florida Gators are in some deep trouble in this ongoing college gymnastics season. First, the program has yet to see anyone from the fold land a perfect ten on the mat. Moreover, in the last three matches, the Gators have suffered two losses. And one of those, the last one against the University of Oklahoma, came with a double blow for the Gators. The match handed the Gators a thrashing defeat and something that might impact its prospects in the coming days. How?

After the devastating incidents from February 21, the gymnastics fans had to wait for three more days to hear something newsworthy. Actually, on February 24, the College Gym News Editor for the EAGL Conference, Alyssa Van Auker, came forward with something disheartening. One of her tweets read, “Sloane Blakely has a “low leg injury.” Expect an announcement from her in the coming days.” Enough to raise the fans’ heartbeats! However, with that, she also posted, “For floor, expect Sloane Blakely’s lineup spot to go to Anya, Gabby, or Ly.” So, was Sloane, the replacement, already in hand? All we waited for was a final confirmation! Well, that came exactly 7 days post-injury. 

On February 28, the independent Florida Alligator broke the news. It reported that Sloane Blakely herself explained her situation to WUTF’s Jordyn Banks. The Gator senior couldn’t thwart the impact of the fall she faced last week in the gymnastics meet against No. 1 Oklahoma. However, she tried hard not to increase the impact. After her fall in the floor exercise routine, she immediately hopped off the mat and entered the locker room with a dry face. But unfortunately, things have taken an unwanted turn. She is out for the rest of the college gymnastics season because of an Achilles injury. Hardly someone missed seeing that coming.

In fact, on February 25, Sloane was captured on camera in a boot, using her scooter to roam through the Gators’ gymnasium. Those visuals fuelled the doubt. But now as she is out of the discussion, what are the elements the Gators will miss? Sloane Blakely hasn’t been in the all-around scene for the last few weeks. In fact, her last all-around performance came on February 2 against West Virginia. Gators won that match by a huge margin and pocketed the valuable points. But the senior had to bear the brunt. 

In the match against West Virginia University, Sloane Blakely came under the grip of concussion. The result? She didn’t compete in the match against the Arkansas Razorbacks on February 7. A week later, she came to Auburn University. Again, the Gators won the challenge and Blakely posted 9.9 on the balance beam. But the best one came in floor exercise. She had a perfect ten there, the best number one can achieve! So, in her absence, the Gators will miss someone who can stand up and deliver at the clutch moments. Now, in her absence, who has the chance to take up those responsibilities? 

The possible solutions Florida Gators gymnastics might bring up 

The best piece of news for the Florida Gators gymnastics at these hours is Anya Pilgrim is back. She had also come under the grip of injury in the meet against Oklahoma. As per the report, she had a concussion. However, she is on her feet now and raring to go for the Gators. The sophomore’s return on the mat might fill up a few places. Apart from that, another sophomore might land a call in the regular lineup. 

Gabby Disidore. The sophomore was highly effective in the vault event against Auburn. She extended her fun run against Oklahoma as well with a collegiate-best of 9.875. Also, as per Florida Gators’ coach, Jenny Rowland, Victoria Nguyen is someone who could fill in the places. In the floor exercise event, another sophomore, Danie Ferris, can be a suitable placement. On the uneven bars, the teenage phenom, Ly Bui has kept her mark as well. She might face competition with names like Alyssa Arana and Skylar Draser. However, coach Jenny Rowland might find these issues not a headache, though, as she has multiple options to fill the places. The rest of the things will depend on the future and the gymnastics fans will look forward to that!