June 28, 2024, was a huge day for Simone Biles, but for the 21-year-old gymnast, who’s basically like a sister to Suni Lee, it was a bit of a downer. They’ve got this close “sister” bond, always supporting each other, and it’s wild how much has changed since then. Almost a year later, she’s still dealing with some struggles, especially with the NCAA gymnastics scene kicking off back in January. Despite being a 2021 World bronze medalist and the 2023 Pan American Games all-around champ, she didn’t make it to the NCAA. It’s kind of hard to believe, right? What’s holding her back?
Simone Biles’ former teammate from the Tokyo Olympics, Kayla DiCello, had big hopes of making the Paris Olympics last year. As a reserve athlete at the Tokyo 2020 Games, she was aiming for a spot at the U.S. Olympic Trials. But right before Simone even started her uneven bars routine, disaster struck for Kayla. While attempting her vault, she tore her right Achilles just feet away from Simone and had to be carried off the mat and wheeled out of the competition. That moment ended her dream of joining Simone in Paris. It’s been a while now, though, and the big question is: how’s her recovery going? Let’s hear from her.
Will Kayla DiCello return to elite gymnastics after major setbacks?
University of Florida Gators gymnast Kayla DiCello maintains her aspiration to resume elite gymnastics while recuperating from her injury. Last year, the torn Achilles at the U.S. Olympic Trials kept Kayla from continuing her athletic activities. She underwent heel surgery to remove a heel bone spur in December 2024 after dealing with it for three full years.
Despite all her hurdles Kayla continues to keep the door open for returning to elite competition. The Olympics.com interview reveals Kayla has not settled on her next step while she concentrates on college gymnastics recovery and returning to competition status.
As for her recovery, Kayla says it’s going pretty well, although she admits she’s a little behind because of a recent surgery on her other foot. She’s working hard to get both feet on the same level so she can start jumping again. But at the same time, she’s also feeling frustrated about being absent from NCAA gymnastics, knowing that she’s not where she wants to be just yet.
Kayla DiCello has faced a lot of frustration with her recovery, especially as she’s had to sit out this season. “I was really upset because I couldn’t compete this year, but for me, I think getting the second surgery was something that eased my mind,” she shared. “Now, I feel like I don’t have the added outside pressure of ‘Am I going to compete this year?’ and all that.”
She concentrates on being an inspirational figure within her team because her belief is everyone plays a role irrespective of their responsibilities, “I believe that every single person on this team plays a part, no matter what you’re doing. I have just been trying to be somebody who anybody on the team can come to if they need anything.” But how is Gators performing in NCAA till now?
The big question about Simone Biles’ former teammate’s eligibility
The Florida Gators scored 198.125 points last week against Georgia whose coach is Simone Biles’ former coach. The 198 score became the initial standard that a team achieved in competition during the year 2025. The Gators delivered an outstanding display while Selena Harris-Miranda brought the win in the all-around competition with her personal best 39.625. The Florida team delivered exceptional performances on each apparatus as Harris-Miranda scored a 9.95 on the vault and the team achieved a 49.675 beam score which became a national top result. Freshman Skye Blakely entered the competition with a strong performance by tying with Anya Pilgrim for the bar championship at 9.90.
Florida’s coach, Jenny Rowland, was proud of the team’s resilience, especially with several athletes battling illness. The night was capped with a debut of the “Spurrier” leotard, honoring the legendary coach Steve Spurrier. This victory pushed the Gators to a 4-1 record (1-1 SEC), setting the stage for a challenging upcoming tri-meet against No. 5 Utah and West Virginia. With this performance, Florida is showing they’re ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. But with all eyes on their upcoming challenges, a big question looms: Will Kaylia DiCello be eligible to sit out another season due to her injury?
It’s definitely possible. Normally, gymnasts have four seasons in five years, but since she redshirted last year, that rule doesn’t really give her another year off. But wait, there’s a catch! If a gymnast competes in less than 30% of the season because of injury before the midway point, they can get a medical redshirt. And with Kaylia dealing with some injuries, she’s in a good spot to claim that. Plus, in special cases, gymnasts can even get up to six years of eligibility because of injury. So, while the choice is ultimately up to her, she’s got some flexibility. What do you think? Do you see her taking another season off, or is she going to push through? Let us know in the comments!
The post Frustrated Over NCAA Absence Simone Biles’ Former Teammate Reveals Surprising Role With Florida Gators appeared first on EssentiallySports.