Following a successful showing at the 2026 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship Final, where the Gators placed third, junior Skye Blakely is ready to compete on all four events at the 2026 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Phoenix. The competition will be her first opportunity to participate across all apparatuses since suffering an Achilles rupture during the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. This return signals a significant milestone in Blakely’s recovery. It followed a series of setbacks that previously restricted her to the bars.
At the U.S. Classic in July, Blakely showcased her form by securing first place on both the bars and beam with scores of 14.1 and 14.25, respectively. She now shifts her focus to the upcoming championships, aiming to earn a spot on the 2026 U.S. Senior National Team and continue moving toward the World Championships in October.
Rebuilding confidence and strength
In recent interviews, Blakely has emphasized how her college experience has helped her grow emotionally. She has also regained her self-assurance. She attributes much of this progress to Florida head coach Jenny Rowland. Rowland has guided her, particularly on the beam. 'I feel like my confidence is definitely coming back, and maybe even stronger than before,' Blakely stated. She reflected on how her time in college has helped her understand her emotions. It also helped her manage stress better.
The road to recovery, which she calls 'slow and mindful,' has given her mental clarity and focus. This journey was complicated by the 2021 Olympic trials. An elbow injury kept her out of competition during that time. Challenges during her freshman year in 2025 also affected her. She was limited to the bars before making a full comeback in 2026.
Support behind the scenes
While Blakely is the main name representing the Gators at the championships, coach Rowland has been busy this summer, helping other athletes prepare for the event. This includes former Gators gymnast Leanne Wong, who had to pull out after a hyperextended knee injury. Rowland also keeps an eye on rising stars like Simone Rose, Dulcy Caylor, and Jayla Hang as they compete at the elite level.
'Being there to cheer, to give a hug, I think it really helps both sides,' Rowland said, expressing the importance of showing support. Jayla Hang, who is returning from wrist surgery, has decided to defer her Florida enrollment to continue competing at the senior level. Rowland said the coaching staff is fully supportive of these athletes, even when their paths differ from the traditional college gymnast.
While Blakely isn't primarily focused on winning, she is up against strong competitors for the all-around title. Jade Carey, the 2021 Olympic floor champion, remains a top contender after finishing second at the U.S. Another returning athlete is Hezly Rivera, a 2024 Olympian who missed the 2026 Senior Pan American Championships due to an injury.
With Wong’s withdrawal, Blakely is the primary representative for the Gators. 'She has come such a long way, and I’m just ecstatic to see her shine out on the floor this next week,' Rowland said. She was looking forward to the upcoming competition.
Blakely's first all-around competition at the elite level was worth the wait. She is tied with Claire Pease, the 2024 junior champion, atop the standings after the first day of competition at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. The two are at 55.6 points, 0.20 points ahead of Charleigh Bullock. Paris gold medalist Hezly Rivera, the defending national champion, is 0.60 points behind the leaders after a fall on uneven bars. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey is fifth. The second day of competition is Sunday, and scores from the two days will be combined to determine the final standings. The top two are guaranteed spots at the selection camp for the world championships team, which runs Sept. 29-Oct. 1. At least 10 other gymnasts will be chosen to go to the camp. Blakely was a lock for the Paris team until she blew out her Achilles at the Olympic trials. She has been deliberate in her comeback, only competing uneven bars and balance beam at the elite level until Friday, Aug. 7. Blakely was solid the entire night, her only real mistake on floor exercise, where she stumbled forward on her final pass. But her uneven bars were exquisite, as usual, and her vault looked effortless. Vault was her final event, and she beamed when she came off the podium to exchange hand slaps with her coaches. Pease was equally impressive, putting up the second-highest scores on both uneven bars and balance beam. Bullock, who served notice she's going to be one to watch in the lead-up to LA28 with a second-place finish at Winter Cup in February, had a lead going into the final rotation. But she was finishing on floor exercise, her weakest event, and she couldn't keep pace with the leaders. Rivera was a surprise member of the Paris team, taking advantage of the opening when Blakely and Shilese Jones got hurt. But she's claimed the spotlight for herself with her Paris teammates taking last year off, winning her first national title. Don't count her out for this year yet, either. Rivera was in contention for the lead until uneven bars, where she fell on her final release move. The 12.5 dropped her to fourth place going into the final rotation. But Rivera rebounded with a monster routine, posting the highest score — 14.3 points — on the event of the night.