Florida Gymnastics: Why the Gators are Still the Team to Beat

After wrapping up the 2026 season with a third-place finish at Nationals, it’s easy to look at Florida and see a team that just missed the top spot. But if you’re actually watching the gym floor, you know the truth: The Gators are more dangerous than ever. As both a coach and a judge, I’ve been keeping a close eye on Gainesville, and here is why Florida is still the team everyone is going to be chasing next year.

A Foundation of Stability

Florida’s success starts with a coaching staff that just clicks. Head Coach Jenny Rowland is entering her 12th season, and she has built a program that feels more like a family than a business. She is supported by a brilliant staff, including Associate Head Coaches Adrian Burde and Owen Field, and Assistant Coach Jeremy Miranda.

Jenny has this unique way of balancing the high-stakes pressure of SEC gymnastics with a real "Gator Life" culture. You can see it in how the team competes—they’re supporting each other through every high and low. Adrian Burde brings that master-level technical eye for vault and tumbling that has kept the Gators near the top of the national rankings for years. Owen Field (who also serves as the NCAA's first-ever Gymnastics General Manager) and Jeremy Miranda are the secret weapons behind the scenes, constantly pushing the innovation in lineups and strategy to make sure those scores keep climbing.

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The New Wave: A Stacked Recruiting Class

The smartest thing this staff is doing right now isn't just focusing on what happened in 2026—they are already loading up for next year. They have one of the most stacked recruiting classes in the country coming in.

They are bringing in stars like Simone Rose, Dulcy Caylor, Kieryn Finnell, Jayla Hang, Carsyn Coleman, and Ella Fine. Adding that kind of talent to a team that is already this good is a total game-changer. It gives Rowland and her staff so many options. If they need to tweak a vault lineup or find a new rock-solid beam worker, they aren't going to be scrambling. They’re going to have elite gymnasts ready to jump in and do the job immediately.

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The Bottom Line

Florida isn't going anywhere. Third place is just fuel for their fire. Between a coaching staff that knows exactly how to get the best out of their athletes, a team culture built on support, and the incredible new talent joining the gym, they have the perfect recipe for a championship run.

Coaching changes and transfers are happening all over the country, but Florida is staying steady. They know exactly who they are, and they know exactly how to win. Keep your eyes on the Gators—they are going to be right back on that podium in 2027.