IT’S NO SURPRISE that the University of Florida Gator Gymnastics team was recently ranked No. 6 in the nation by a preseason coaches’ poll. They’ve been ranked in the top ten ever since the GymInfo poll started back in 1992. Their sights are high as they enter the 2005 season, with nine letter winners returning from the 2004 team that placed fifth at the NCAA championships.

The strength of this squad comes not just from their exquisite coaching and diligent training, but from deep down inside. Individually, they’re driven to do the best they possibly can, not just for themselves, but for each other – for the team.

The Gator Gymnastics team is a tight knit bunch. It shows too. Rather than thinking about their own solo performances, they think of their teammates, and how they’re performing. It works to the team’s advantage. It pushes them at practice to work hard and hold up their end of the bargain while supporting their team. They don’t want to let down their teammates – their friends. Two members in particular stand out as examples of the Gator Gymnastics team camaraderie, Senior Erinn Dooley and Sophomore Savannah Evans.

It’s no coincidence that Erinn Dooley has been voted team captain two years in a row. A fifth year senior, Erinn came to Florida from Maryland. Gator gymnastics fans have watched Erinn grow up, from her time as a red shirt freshman when she suffered a fractured right tibia, all the way to her junior year in 2004 when she earned a season best total of 39.75, and claimed a victory over UCLA’s first and second ranked gymnasts. Besides being a sixtime All-American who routinely scores in the 9.9’s on the vault, bars, beams and floor, she’s an invaluable mentor to the younger gymnasts.

“I don’t know what I would have done without her,” explains Savannah Evans. “When I started here, it was so intimidating. I came from a small gym in the panhandle and I remember thinking that everyone here was so good. Within a week, everyone felt like family. I always went to Erinn. I asked her everything. She’s like a big sister to me.”

Erinn adds, “I remember what it was like when I started here. It can be overwhelming, but you learn how to balance your schedule between classes and the gym. It’s part of being a gymnast.”

Savannah obviously feels comfortable now and has come into her own. She’s earned the title of All-American, and matched the Florida vault record with a perfect score of 10.0. Her floor routine against UCLA in 2004 earned her a score of 9.95, which tied with Erinn Dooley, and gave them both collegiate and Gator-season best marks.

As a senior, Erinn will be leaving soon. She’s hoping for an internship in New York where she can enjoy city-life and be closer to her family in Maryland. For Erinn, leaving will be difficult. “I’m in awe of New York and that will be exciting, but I’ve really enjoyed my time here. I’m going to miss everything – the competition, but mostly the girls.”

Savannah still has two more years here at UF and plans to use what she’s learned from Erinn both in and out of the gym.

“If I could be as helpful to an incoming freshman, as Erinn was to me, that would be great. It would make me feel really good,” says Savannah.

The Gator Gymnastics team values their relationships and being part of team. Erinn explains, “We’re bigger than any petty differences. The longer we work together, the stronger we get. Team unity is crucial and we all understand that.”

While Erinn and Savannah are worthy examples of how well athletes and teammates can get along, they’re quick to point out that it’s not just them.

“You could have asked any one on the team how we all feel about each other and they would have said the same thing. It’s important to all of us that we work together as a team,” says Erinn--and that they do. G