The University of Florida has made a surprising and swift change to its women’s gymnastics roster, confirming that three athletes are no longer with the program as the team looks ahead to the 2026-27 season. Senior Skylar Draser and juniors Ly Bui and Lily Bruce have all been removed, the school announced this week.
Head coach Jenny Rowland addressed the departures in a brief statement, saying, “We wish them well moving forward. Our focus remains on supporting our athletes and maintaining a team culture built on accountability, respect and commitment.”
Draser’s exit is particularly notable. A key contributor for the Gators, she competed in all four events and typically led off the beam lineup. Last season, she played a vital role in Florida’s run to the NCAA Championships, where the team finished in the top four. Her presence will be missed on the competition floor.
Bruce, meanwhile, had seen limited action, competing only on exhibition routines on bars. Bui’s role was not specified in the announcement. Neither Bui nor Bruce has publicly commented on the situation.
Draser took to Instagram to share her feelings about the abrupt end to her Florida career. In an emotional post, she wrote, “If you told little Skylar who committed to Florida in 8th grade that this is how this chapter would end, she never would have believed you. Simply put I made my commitment to UF at such a young age and gave EVERYTHING to the best of my ability to stay true to that commitment even when I questioned my happiness and whether this was truly where I belonged.”
She continued, “I never imagined that stepping away from Florida in the middle of my final year would mean seeing my name circulating online attached to so many hurtful, and disturbing false narratives. It is heartbreaking to see people create stories about situations they know nothing about. While I cannot control what others choose to say or believe, I know the truth, I know my character, and I know what I gave to this program. I am also so blessed to have the best family support through one of the most challenging times in my life.”
The news has raised eyebrows among college gymnastics fans, especially given Draser’s contributions and the timing of the decision. It also adds another layer of intrigue to a Florida athletics program that has recently faced scrutiny, including a football collapse that drew national mockery.
Roster turnover is never easy, and this one comes with plenty of unanswered questions. For now, the Gators are moving forward with a reshaped squad, while three athletes search for their next chapter. The gymnastics community will be watching closely to see how both sides navigate the fallout.
