Championships are certainly the stand at Florida, but the Gators’ Olympic sports continue to reinforce the athletic department’s reputation as one of the nation’s most all-around competitive.
Florida took home SEC titles in women’s track and field and gymnastics, while softball remained in the mix for a national title. Several other programs showed signs of heading in the right direction.
This is Part 4 of The Gainesville Sun’s review of Florida’s athletic season. Grades were based on overall record, conference finish and postseason accolades.
Softball: 52-12 overall, 17-7 SEC
Grade: B+ | Last five-year average: 48.2 wins, 17 losses
For any other program, winning over 50 games and hosting a Super Regional is a great year, and let it be said, it’s most definitely an accomplishment for Tim Walton’s program. However, the Gators came up short in the postseason after being bounced by Alabama in the SEC tournament and later fell short in the both strange and dramatic Super Regional against Texas Tech. There’s a need to develop some pitching depth, but the majority of the roster will be back for next season.
Gymnastics
Grade: A
Last five SEC Meet Results: SEC champs (2026), 3rd (2025), 4th (2024), SEC champs (2023), SEC champs (2022)
Last five NCAA Results: 3rd (2026), 7th (2025), 4th (2024), Runner-up (2023), Runner-up (2022)
Jenny Rowland’s program has been close on so many occasions and has come up short. However, heading into this season, it seemed that Oklahoma was the clear-cut favorite, and Rowland’s squad pulled a dramatic upset to win the first SEC title in a few years. The Gators were in the mix for another natty and made an appearance on the Four on the Floor, but fell just short. While the national title drought continues, Florida once again proved it belongs among the sport’s elite.
Women’s track and field
Grade; A
Last five SEC meet results indoor: SEC champs (2025-26), 11th (2024-25), Runner-up (2023-24), Runner-up (2022-23), Runner-up (2021-22)
Last five SEC meet results outdoor: SEC champs (2025-26), 3rd (2024-25), 3rd (2023-24), Runner-up (2022-23), SEC champ (2021-22)
Last five NCAA results indoor: 5th (2025-26), 31st (2024-25), Runner-up (2023-24), 3rd (2022-23), National champ (2021-22)
Last five NCAA results outdoor: Runner-up (2025-26), 15th (2024-25), Runner-up (2023-24), Runner-up (2022-23), National champ (2021-22)
It was a banner year for the women’s track programs. The only thing missing was a national title, but a historic sweep of the indoor and outdoor SEC titles and a runner-up finish in the NCAA outdoor championships was a remarkable season. Thrower Alida van Daalen capped off her career with a national title in the discus as she was the lone individual champ at the NCAA outdoor meet for UF. Not only did van Daalen earn the first discus title in school history. She also set the SEC meet record.
Men’s track and field
Grade: B-
Last five SEC Meet Results Indoor: 4th (2025-26), 15th (2024-25), Runner-up (2023-24), Runner-up (2022-23), Runner-up (2021-22)
Last five SEC Meet results outdoor: 3rd (2025-26), 12th (2024-25), 4th (2023-24), 6th (2022-23), 4th (2021-22)
Last five NCAA results indoor: 3rd (2025-26), 56th (2024-25), 3rd (2023-24), 3rd (2022-23), 20th (2021-22)
Last five NCAA results outdoor: 15th (2025-26), 8th (2024-25), National champ (2023-24), National champ (2022-23), National champ (2021-22)
It’s hard to compare the men’s season to the women, but it was still a good season, with the Gators having several All-Americans. True freshman Vance Nilsson took home the title in the 400-meter hurdles in one of the most dramatic races of the season. It was a good year in terms of improvement from last season, and there’s plenty of youth returning for UF, which points to the program being on the verge of a big year.
Men’s tennis: 17-14, 6-8 SEC
Grade: B | Last five-year average: 17 wins, 9.8 losses
It was a season that seemed to move in a positive direction. The Gators reached the second round of the NCAA tournament for a second straight season. In addition, UF competed in the prestigious ITA National Indoors for the first time under Adam Steinberg’s tenure. Tanapatt Nirundorn and Henry Jefferson were also the first All-Americans for UF since 2023.
Women’s tennis: 17-8, 10-5 SEC
Grade: B | Last five-year average: 16.4 wins, 9.2 losses
A year ago, Florida missed the NCAA tournament and went 9-14 and 4-11 in SEC action. This year, the Gators bounced back and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament. Brooke Black and India Houghton both earned All-SEC recognition.
Reach Florida Gators writer Andrew Abadie at AAbadie@usatodayco.com or on X (formerly Twitter) at @AndrewAbadie. You can also find him on Facebook at Andrew Abadie Sports Reporter or on Instagram @andrewabadie_sports.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Grading how Florida Gators teams did in 2025-26 season Part 4
Reporting by Andrew Abadie, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andrew Abadie, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
