GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida gymnastics adds Alyssa Arana and Kaylee Bluffstone to next season’s roster. They were admitted to the University of Florida and join the Gators for the upcoming 2023-24 season.
Both graduate this spring – Arana from Florida Virtual School and Bluffstone from Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, Fla. Arana trains at Leyva Gymnastics Academy in Miami, Fla., and Bluffstone competes for LaFleur’s Gymnastics Tampa.
Coach Jenny Rowland said:
“We are so grateful that Alyssa made the decision to become a Florida Gator! She will bring in many amazing qualities to better the Gator team. She has such a sweet disposition with a fierce competitive mentality. Her graceful gymnastics is just mesmerizing to watch. Gator Nation will thoroughly enjoy seeing her shine in the O’Dome!
“Gators gymnastics is thrilled to finally (and officially) welcome Kaylee Bluffstone to our Gator family. Kaylee’s commitment and enthusiasm for the Gators has been evident since Day One of her recruiting process. She brings much joy, power and enthusiasm to this team and expect to see her competing on vault, floor and beam for the Gators. Florida fans will no doubt fall in love with her charism and fire and truly feel her love for the Gators!”
Florida Gymnastics Head Coach Jenny Rowland
Meet the Newest Gators:
Alyssa Arana – Miami, Fla.. IG: alyssa.arana2023
* 2023 Presidential Classic all-around, uneven bars and balance beam champion
* Balance beam Junior F bronze medalist at 2022 U.S. Development Program National Championships<https://usagym.org/PDFs/Results/2022/w_22dev_jrf.pdf>
* Uneven bars champion and fourth in all-around at 2022 Level 10 Junior F Region 8 Championships
* 2023 Pikes Peak Cup Level 10 Senior balance beam champion, runner-up on bars and third in all-around
* Trains at Leyva Gymnastics Academy and coached by Jeanne Barrera, Maria Gonzalez and Billy Abreu
Kaylee Bluffstone – Lutz, Fla. IG: kaylee_bluffstone_gymnastics
* Fourth in vault and floor exercise in 2022 U.S. Development Program National Championships Senior B competition<https://usagym.org/PDFs/Results/2022/w_22dev_srb.pdf>
* Won floor, all-around runner-up and third on vault at 2023 Presidential Classic. At 2022 event, runner-up in all-around, vault, uneven bars and floor exercise
* 2023 Nashville Nights Senior C all-around, bars and floor runner-up
* Floor runner-up in 2022 Region 8 Senior B competition
* Trains at LaFleur’s Gymnastics Tampa and coached by Jeff LaFleur and Alecia Pollina
Other Future Gators:
This pair brings Florida’s number of newcomers for 2024 season to five. Florida signed Gabby Disidore, Skylar Draser and Anya Pilgrim in the fall. Skye Blakely also signed<https://floridagators.com/news/2022/11/9/gymnastics-gators-sign-four-wednesday> with the Gators but is deferring enrollment until fall of 2024 as she looks to earn a berth on the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.
