Things have not gone well for the Florida Gators lately. With two of their star gymnasts, Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello, sustaining injuries in 2023, Kaylee Bluffstone dropping out right ahead of their debut came as another blow. “I’m taking some time to heal as I took an unfortunate fall that is unrelated to gymnastics, involving my back,” said Bluffstone. However, Gators fans just got a pleasant surprise.

As the Gators go up against Michigan State, Northern Illinois, and Nebraska on Hype Night, none other than Skye Blakely took the stage. Despite uncertainties about when the gymnast was going to return, Blakely made her season debut on the very first day of competition. “Skye Blakely’s debut as a Gator,” wrote one fan as they posted a clip of Blakely on the uneven bars.

It was a surprise for the fans because Blakely has had a long journey to recovery after rupturing her Achilles tendon. While the Florida Gators star was among the favorites to make it to Paris, the injury completely derailed her Olympic dreams. Even the most recent update about the gymnastics icon’s recovery came way back in November when she posted on social media.

“4 months post Achilles repair,” wrote Skye Blakely. Coincidentally, the gymnast also showed off the progress she had made on the uneven bars. So ultimately, it may not have been that big of a surprise seeing Blakely make her 2025 debut on the same apparatus. But the freshman immediately proved why she’s among the best talents, scoring 9.725 points on her return.

Despite the long break, the Florida Gator performed a clean routine and almost stuck the landing. Had Skye Blakely not taken a slight misstep after landing, the gymnast may have scored even higher. The Gators’ coach didn’t take any risks of overworking the returning athlete, as the Frisco, Texas native, only performed that single-bar routine. Blakely’s return finally marks a positive turn for the Gators.

Another key Florida Gators star’s return remains uncertain

Thanks to a stellar team effort and Blakely’s return, the Gators came out on top during Hype Night at Exactech Arena. The home team scored 196.675, ahead of Michigan (196.650), Nebraska (195.600), and Northern Illinois (191.950). However, despite starting the 2025 season on a positive note, the Gators cannot afford to take things easy.

While Skye Blakely’s return was a successful one, it seems that the gymnast is not yet ready to compete in events that stress the ankle joint. So the freshman may take some more time to return to events like the vault or balance beam. Meanwhile, 2024 Winter Cup all-around gold medalist Kayla DiCello also cannot compete. The Florida Gators star had not one but two surgeries.

The five-time All-American joined Blakely in misfortune after an ACL issue forced her into surgery in 2024. And while DiCello recovered from the injury, the Florida Victorious member had more bad news for fans in December 2024. “So yes, I got surgery on my other foot and it’s different from the one that I previously tore at (U.S. Olympic) trials,” disclosed the gymnast.

“I’m very happy with this decision to get this foot fixed so I can be back better than ever,” added DiCello. However, this means the Florida Gators are still short two key team members in DiCello and Bluffstone. And while Bluffstone won’t return for the season, DiCello may not be able to do so either. So it may be safe to assume that starting with a victory against three other colleges alongside Blakely’s return might be a huge morale boost for the squad.