From Injury to Winter Cup 2024: Trinity Thomas and Her ‘Worried’ Gymnastics Journey

Trinity Thomas, an underdog in artistic gymnastics, qualified as an American National gymnastics team member four times from 2016 to 20, although she gained prominence for dominating the NCAA meets with her perfect 10 scores as a Florida Gators gymnast. Thomas has flawless routines in her portfolio, tying the record for NCAA history’s most perfect 10 scores, until last year, when she suffered a setback in the NCAA Pittsburgh Regional, and was irrevocably sidelined.

While the gymnastics world and fans wondered how Thomas’s injury would impact her bright future, she returned to this season’s first national qualifier, her first since 2019. With her return, Thomas reassured the “worried” fans, though she failed to secure a podium finish by a small margin in the Winter Cup.

Trouble at the NCAA championship: When Trinity Thomas could not compete due to a leg injury 

Last year, in her senior year, Thomas joined gymnastics sensations Jamie Dantzcher and Jenny Hansen, tying with them after earning her 28th “perfect 10” on the vault. At the 2023 NCAA Pittsburgh Regional, Thomas first scored an impressive 9.90 on beam in the first rotation, but later, after a double layout on her floor routine, she doubled down with hands over her knees. After a right lower leg injury, she withdrew from the competition but stayed to cheer for the team.

After Thomas’s noteworthy absence, Florida freshman Kayla DiCello led the Gators to victory in the Regional Final. Dicello scored 39.800 all-around and posed a perfect 10 on uneven bars, ending the day by winning on the vault with her 9.950. In addition, the team’s senior, Leanne Wong, scored an impressive 9.975 on the floor, bringing home the title. With a combined score of 197.875, the Gators saved the day. Returning to the elite meet this year, the Gators gymnasts once again shared the ground in the Winter Cup.

Impact on the career: A tough end to the 2024 Winter Cup 

After Trinity Thomas’ college eligibility expired, she decided to continue healing, juggling her return to the top level with her responsibilities as a student assistant coach in Florida. With the new season, Thomas adorned her leotard again, returning to the elite mats staged at the Winter Cup hosted in Louisville, KY. Thomas placed fourth overall with a score of 53.250, which included strong performances on the bars and floor exercise reported US News.

READ MORE “Another 10”: Gators Gymnastics Star Trinity Thomas Achieves Another NCAA Milestone

Meanwhile, maintaining her form, Kayla DiCello achieved a dominant all-around score of 56.850. Skye Blakely took silver, scoring 54.650, while Hezly Rivera won bronze for 54.000.

Thomas was pleased with her performance, especially pointing out that she placed second on the bars. “I got my championship qualifying scores, so another box checked off. I’m just super excited,” Thomas stated. What’s in the offing for her now? Time will tell.

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