What channel is the Florida gymnastics meet on today. Time, TV for NCAA Gainesville Regionals

In her nine seasons as head coach, Jenny Rowland has witnessed just about every type of team.

Teams that underwhelmed, exceeded expectations or just plain lived up to them.

She admits, though, no team is like her 2024 squad.

Now, as postseason play begins, Rowland and her fourth-ranked Gators gymnastics squad hope the Florida faithful will remember this group glowingly.

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Florida gymnastics in NCAA Regionals: What to know

UF will host the Gainesville Regional this weekend at the O'Connell Center.

Action began Thursday from the Regionals between Clemson and Iowa State. The Cyclones won and will join the Gators, No. 13 Missouri and No, 20 Georgia in the later session on Friday.

In the earlier session, No. 5 Utah headlines. No. 10 Michigan State, No. 21 Towson and Maryland will join the Utes.

The top two teams in each session will advance to Sunday's final, set for 5 p.m. from the O'Dome.

Entering this season, pundits penned Florida's expectations as lower than normal due to the departure of Trinity Thomas and the absence of Kayla DiCello this season as she focuses on the Olympics.

The Gators also welcomed six freshman and featured just five fourth and fifth years.

"This year, it's been really rejuvenating for the coaches, to continue to see such a young group come in day after day and strive to get better and want to be in a lineup and fight for these spots," Rowland said.

UF started slow, with a home loss to Alabama in the third meet of the season, but the group reached its peak in late February/early March with signature wins vs No. 2 LSU and at No. 7 Kentucky.

Senior Victoria Nguyen believes the squad turned it up a notch after the freshman grew more adjusted.

"It's getting to know each other better and learning like what energy wise and how we best feel supported," Nguyen said. "I think that really evolved."

Florida gymnastics: What happened last?

That evolution hit a road block, though, in the Bayou at SEC Championships on March 23. From the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, the Gators finished in fourth behind LSU, Kentucky and Alabama.

Their score of 197.300 was their lowest since the first meet of 2024 back on January 10. That included a disappointing 49.125 on floor.

Rowland said she doesn't mind the fourth place finish as it made the team hungrier.

Nguyen said the team needs to show more confidence and intention in training.

"Every day in the gym, you can see that we want it," Nguyen said. "I think the past week, it was just new for a lot of people, so I don't think the energy was where we needed to be."

Rowland's played around with lineups this season and added she might do so on the floor this weekend given Florida's depth.

"Sometimes it's not your day, and that's when a change could or could not be made," Rowland said. "Whether you're in or you're in waiting, I know this floor crew is ready for what's to come."

Here's the start time and how to watch Friday's meet:

Florida gymnastics in NCAA Regionals: Start Time

The Gators will begin on the vault at 7 p.m. Iowa State starts on bars, Georgia on beam and Missouri on floor.

The earlier session with the Utes, Spartans, Terrapins and Tigers begins at 1 p.m.

Florida gymnastics in NCAA Regionals: Tickets, Parking

Despite the NCAA branding, UF students will still be admitted for free.

General admission tickets are available here, with prices starting at $15.

There is no reserved parking for Friday's meet, and fans can park in the O'Connell Center lot or garage.

Florida gymnastics in NCAA Regionals: How to watch, streaming

TV channel: Streaming only, ESPN+. Sign up for ESPN+ here. Plans start at $10.99 a month.

Live stats will be available here, and fans can follow Gainesville Sun Sports Reporter Noah Ram on Twitter/X for meet updates.

Florida gymnastics in NCAA Regionals: History

In its 41 year history, UF has advanced to Regionals 39 times. The Gators have advanced past Regionals and to the Final 16 in 16 of the last 19 years, including three years in a row.

Florida last hosted Regionals in 2017. That season, it advanced to the Super Six and finished in third.

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Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Florida gymnastics in NCAA Gainesville Regionals: How to watch, time