Florida survived and advance without star gymnast Trinity Thomas, who injured her lower right leg March 31 at the NCAA Regionals.
To capture an elusive national championship next week, the Gators could use Thomas leading the way.
Thomas’ availability remains uncertain as UF prepares for the NCAAs Thursday in Fort Worth, coach Jenny Rowland said. The Gators will face California, Denver and LSU at 3 p.m. during one semifinal while UCLA, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Utah will compete at 9 p.m.
Top two teams in each semifinal advance to the April 15 final at 4 p.m.
“She’s definitely getting better,” Rowland said of Thomas. “It is still a day-to-day basis. We’re just doing what we can to protect her, to get her healthy and we’ll see if she’s in a position to move forward.”
Thomas, who turned 22 Friday, won the 2022 all-around competition at the NCAA Championships as the Gators lost to Oklahoma by .125 points. She won the all-around title at the SEC Championships, defending her 2022 title, to lead UF to the SEC title on March 18 during a record-setting performance by the Gators.
Yet, Florida displayed its depth and talent when Thomas injured her leg during the floor routine during the first day at the NCAA Regional in Pittsburgh, 3 1/2 hours west of her native York, Pa.
Thomas did not compete during the remaining two rotations, but the Gators still prevailed behind freshman Kayla DiCello.
The Gators’ 197.875 total included just one score from Thomas, a 9.9 on the balance beam, but was well ahead of the competition.
“It says a lot about this team,” Rowland said.
Despite her disappointment, Thomas rallied her teammates while wearing a protective boot.
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“That’s why we have the depth that we do, in case we do have an injury or something goes wrong where someone can’t compete,” said senior Payton Richards. “But Trin was an amazing support system. Having her believe in us and constantly reminding us that we could do it made it 10 times better.
“We didn’t even feel like she wasn’t competing because that’s how involved she was ? keeping us all in good spirits.”
Richards also rose to the occasion. She posted her all-around best score (39.575), equaled her vault best (9.95) and earned her season-high on the balance beam (9.9).
“It was everything I’ve been doing in here,” Richards said following practice Thursday. “So it was nothing different.”
With Thomas out, DiCello also stepped up, recording a perfect 10 on the uneven bars and 9.95s to win the vault and tied for top score on the balance beam. Her all-around score of 39.80 is best among the nation’s freshmen in 2023.
“She doesn’t get too worked up. She doesn’t get too nervous,” Richards said. “That’s really impressive coming out as a freshman. So I’m very proud of her.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Edgar Thompson at or follow him on Twitter at @osgators.
