As the NCAA Gymnastics Championships draw near, the stage is set for one final act in the collegiate career of Florida Gators senior Leanne Wong. The stakes couldn’t be higher, nor the emotions more intense. For Wong, this isn’t just another meet—it’s the culmination of a journey marked by grace, grit, and the quiet fire that’s fueled her since her freshman debut in Gainesville.

The 2025 season has been nothing short of electric for the Gators. And at the heart of their success stands Wong—a consistent all-around force, artistic and precise, whose performances have elevated her from star athlete to living legend in the program’s history. Her artistry has captivated fans all season, and now, she’s a finalist for the coveted AAI Award, given annually to the nation’s top senior gymnast. But the road to that honor is far from easy.  

Leanna Wong finds herself up against five of the nation’s most dazzling talents—including none other than her U.S. national teammate, Jade Carey, the Oregon State sensation and Olympic medalist. The competition is fierce, the margins are razor-thin, and the outcome still hangs in the balance. Every tenth counts. Every landing matters.

And yet, while Leanne’s moment in the spotlight may be reaching its grand finale, another figure in the Gators camp has already claimed a well-earned title—Jenny Rowland, Florida’s head coach and the steady architect behind the team’s sustained excellence. Want to know her story? Let’s find out. 

Who is Jenny Rowland?

Long before Jenny Rowland became the mastermind behind the Florida Gators’ gymnastics dynasty, she was already leaving chalk marks on the sport’s biggest stages—and even making her way onto the silver screen.

Born on July 18, 1974, in Texas, Rowland was destined for a life defined by flips, flair, and fierce determination. A former U.S. National Team member and collegiate All-American, Rowland brought the poise and precision of a world-class gymnast to every chapter of her career. But unlike many in the coaching ranks, her experience runs even deeper—all the way to judging the sport’s elite at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials as a Category 3 International Brevet judge. That’s not just experience. That’s credibility.

Rowland’s coaching journey began at Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy (1996–2000), where she worked with elite athletes at the developmental level before transitioning into the NCAA circuit. From there, she moved through some of college gymnastics’ most respected programs: assistant coach at Oklahoma (2001–2006), then Auburn (2010–2013), where her leadership and sharp technical eye led to a well-deserved promotion to associate head coach.

Then came Florida—a program rich in tradition but hungry for the kind of sustained excellence Rowland could deliver. And she did. Under her guidance, the Gators have remained among the nation’s top contenders, and athletes like Leanne Wong have flourished in a culture that values artistry, accountability, and ambition. But here’s the twist most people don’t see coming. What’s that? 

Leanne Wong’s coach also had a brief brush with Hollywood. At just 12 years old, she starred as Tracy Prescott in the 1986 gymnastics-themed film American Anthem, alongside real-life gymnastics legend Maria Anz, who just so happens to have won Florida’s very first NCAA event title (floor exercise) in 1985. Talk about full-circle moments.

What are Jenny Rowland’s career highlights and achievements?

Before Jenny Rowland ever called the shots from the sidelines, she was making waves on the floor.

A former U.S. National Team member from 1985 to 1990, Rowland was already a household name in American gymnastics by the time she reached college. In 1989, she proudly wore the red, white, and blue as a member of the USA World Championship team, competing on the sport’s most prestigious international stage. Just a few years later, on February 25, 1993, she reminded everyone of her competitive fire by capturing the all-around title in a dual meet between Florida and Arizona State—this time in front of a crowd that had once been her home base in Tempe, Arizona. The moment was personal, poetic, and powerful. And that fire? It never dimmed. It simply shifted—to mentorship.

Fast forward to April 9, 2025. Jenny Rowland was named Regional Coach of the Year, a recognition that marked her second time earning the honor and her first since 2020, when she pulled off a rare coaching trifecta: SEC Coach of the Year, Regional Coach of the Year, and WCGA National Coach of the Year. In that same year, she led her team with unshakable grace, elevating Florida Gymnastics even in the face of uncertainty during a pandemic-altered season. Ultimately, Rowland’s resume reads like a masterclass in leadership. Alongside her 2025 accolade, she’s also been named:

• 2020 WCGA National Coach of the Year
• 2020 WCGA Region 5 Coach of the Year
• SEC Coach of the Year in 2021, 2020, and 2016
• And back in her Auburn days, 2015 National Assistant Coach of the Year

But, awards only scratch the surface of Rowland’s impact. She has turned Florida into more than a powerhouse—it’s become a haven for excellence, where athletes like Leanne Wong don’t just succeed, they evolve. Rowland’s philosophy blends elite-level technical precision with deep care for the individual. It’s not just about winning—it’s about building confidence, balance, and legacy.

In many ways, 2025 feels like a full-circle year. From a teen star on the World Championship floor to a seasoned mentor shaping future Olympians and NCAA legends, Jenny Rowland continues to elevate the sport—one athlete, one meet, one moment at a time.

“Leanne Wong Is Someone I Aspire to Be Like” — Coach Jenny Rowland Praises Her Star Gymnast’s Remarkable Achievements

In the world of elite gymnastics, the path to the Olympics is often lined with tough choices—none more personal than where and with whom to train. For most, the answer is simple: head home. Return to your childhood gym. Reunite with the coach who first taught you to fly. But Leanne Wong isn’t most gymnasts.

As she prepared for the 2024 Olympic Trials, Wong made a decision that surprised many and spoke volumes. She chose to stay in Gainesville, training under Florida Gators head coach Jenny Rowland—a woman who, over the years, became far more than a coach. She became a mentor, a confidante, and the trusted compass in Wong’s journey to the top.

“So grateful we are on this journey with Leanne and trying to help her accomplish something she’s dreamed of,” Rowland said with unmistakable pride. For her, it was more than just guiding a star gymnast—it was about living her own Olympic dream vicariously through Wong. After years of pouring herself into the sport—as an athlete, as a coach, as a judge at the Olympic Trials—helping Leanne chase Olympic glory felt like a full-circle moment. But what’s even more powerful? The mutual admiration.

In a rare and emotional quote to The Gainesville Sun, Rowland turned the spotlight back on her athlete: “Leanne Wong is someone I aspire to be like. Twenty years old and to be a pre-med student, have a 4.0 GPA, CEO of her own company, author and compete at the highest NCAA and international level—there are no words for that.” It’s not every day a coach says they aspire to be like their athlete. But that’s what makes their relationship special—built on respect, trust, and a shared belief that greatness is not just measured by medals, but by how you carry the weight of your dreams.

As Leanne Wong enters the final stretch of her NCAA career, she does so with the full faith of a coach who has given everything to see her succeed. And in return, Wong has gifted Rowland something few coaches ever receive: a front-row seat to the realization of a dream they now share.