The Florida Gators gymnastics squad returned to familiar ground Thursday night (April 17)—Fort Worth—for what was their fifth straight trip to the NCAA National Championships since 2019. But what began as a promising outing turned into a night of heartbreak, tension, and one viral moment that set social media ablaze.
The Gators came out strong in the semifinal showdown, posting a 49.300 on beam and a 49.350 on floor. Leading the charge was junior Selena Harris-Miranda, who hypnotized with a 9.950 on beam and a 9.8875 on floor. Her routines weren’t just athletic excellence—they were defiant acts of will to keep her team’s hopes alive. But then the unexpected struck.
Florida finished with a total score of 197.200—just 0.100 behind Missouri (197.300), who snagged the second qualifying spot to the final behind powerhouse Oklahoma (197.550). A brutal, bitter exit. For the Gators, it wasn’t just a loss; it was a gut punch. And then came the moment everyone’s talking about.
During the post-meet award ceremony, the match’s standout performers stood on stage to receive their due. Among them, Selena Harris-Miranda—praised all night for her fire and finesse. As cameras rolled and applause echoed, Emma Malabuyo, the UCLA senior and Olympian, approached the line of honorees. She smiled, opened her arms, and began hugging each gymnast in a heartfelt show of sportsmanship. But when she stepped up to Selena… nothing.
Selena didn’t move. No acknowledgment, no gesture, no hug. Emma paused for a beat, then quietly pivoted to embrace the next gymnast. The crowd didn’t seem to notice in the moment—but the internet sure did.
COME ON GIRL https://t.co/wN66deK3K1 pic.twitter.com/doOU67SbHH
— jack! (@jacksdarn) April 18, 2025
By the time the clip made its rounds on X (formerly Twitter), the gymnastics world was divided. Fans were quick to weigh in, with one viral post reading: “Shady until the end. Switched teams and still didn’t make it to the FOTF. What a shame.” It was a not-so-subtle jab at Selena, referencing her transfer from UCLA to Florida and her team’s failure to reach the coveted “Four on the Floor” final. A further explanation? We can come later.
However, whether it was a moment of missed timing, emotion, or something deeper, the internet isn’t giving Selena the benefit of the doubt. And as the Gators pack up from Fort Worth, the conversation around sportsmanship, rivalries, and raw emotions at the highest level of competition rages on.
College gymnastics fans show no mercy in criticizing the behavior
“WELCOME BACK SIMONE AND MORGAN 2018,” one X user posted—a cryptic callback that had newer fans scratching their heads. But longtime gymnastics followers knew exactly what it meant.
Back in 2018, a cold front swept through the sport when Morgan Hurd allegedly made a pointed post about Simone Biles, criticizing her inclusion on a meet poster. Hurd—then the reigning world champion—allegedly felt it was her spotlight, not Simone’s, whom she referred to as “an older gymnast who hadn’t been in the gym for years and accomplished nothing in 2017.” The drama was subtle, unspoken, but unforgettable. Now, seven years later, fans are seeing déjà vu.
Rumors of Selena’s discontent at UCLA had been swirling ever since the Bruins’ shock exit at the hands of Arizona State in the regionals. While the team fell, Selena soared individually—earning her ticket to nationals and notching a near-perfect 9.950 on beam. But her joy seemed shadowed by frustration. Her social media hinted at strain with her teammates. Her transfer to Florida only fanned the flames. And now, the hug-that-never-happened has reopened that wound.
Whether it was lingering tension, personal history, or a heat-of-the-moment choice, the court of public opinion didn’t hesitate. Criticism poured in: “At this point I just feel like there’s no way to read the situation other than Selena being the problem.” Or something sharper: “Karma will come for you girl. Talent is a blessing, grace & gratitude are taught. There is much learning to be done.” Others, though, weren’t here for the pearl-clutching: “I’m not hugging anyone I don’t want to tf. F*** y’all feelings.”
Still, that lone defiant defense wasn’t enough to patch the fracture in fan sentiment. The optics were harsh, and the symbolism even harsher. On a night where grace under pressure could’ve stolen the show, it was a perceived snub that stole the spotlight instead. Meanwhile, the crowd came for the flips, but they stayed for the drama.
The post Fans Call Out Florida Gators’ Gymnastics Star for Publicly Snubbing Former Teammate During NCAA Semi-Finals: “What a Shame” appeared first on EssentiallySports.