In the world of NCAA gymnastics, the University of Florida enjoys great support.

The Gators averaged 4,563 fans last season, the fourth-highest total in the country.

But on the road, the crowd size can be much smaller for the No. 3-ranked Gators, something that hasn't gone unnoticed by sophomore Rebekah Zaiser, a Marshall Township resident.

So, Zaiser was happy about the prospect of a Florida cheering section in advance of last Sunday's dual meet against Pitt at Fitzgerald Field House.

"At home, we get a lot of people to our meets," Zaiser said Saturday before her team arrived in Pittsburgh. "When we go to away meets, sometimes there's no one there. We should have a good section of fans who'll make a lot of noise. It'll be different."

Zaiser's return home was thanks to coach Rhonda Faehn, who scheduled Florida's first trip to Pitt since 1985.

Faehn said she seeks out chances for her gymnasts to compete in their home states. In this case, it benefitted two members of her team. Junior Corey Hartung, who used to live in North Huntington, also is on the Gators' roster.

"The fact we have two athletes from the area makes it more special," Faehn said. "They're both very mature young ladies who appreciate the fact they are able to spend time with their loved ones."

Zaiser finished in a tie for fourth place on the balance beam and tied for fifth in the floor exercise in Florida's victory against Pitt.

A 20 year old, Zaiser is happy to be competing pain-free. She is coming off a freshman season where she was hampered by injuries to both ankles.

"I had a hard time recovering," she said. "I never really cracked too many lineups. I didn't contribute the way I would have liked to.

"I'm really healthy this year. It's been a lot better. It's a lot more enjoyable when you're not struggling with injuries and pain."

Zaiser won two vault titles her freshman year. This season, she recorded her first victory Feb. 1 against Arkansas, winning on the balance beam.

"She's still young, but she's starting to grow into the role of a competitor," Faehn said.

Against Pitt, Zaiser was Florida's first competitor on the balance beam, a role she has taken on this season.

"It's very flattering to be in that situation," Zaiser said. "It means the coaches trust you. If the first person is shaky, if the first person falls, that puts pressure on the other girls. If you're a little shaky, it can be pretty bad for the rest of the team. To know the coaches have that confidence in me, it's flattering. It's also a big responsibility."

Zaiser, who was home-schooled, trained at X-Cel Gymnastics in Cranberry. When she was first recruited by Florida, she was happy to know someone on the team. She had competed against and trained with Hartung while at X-Cel.

"It was good to know that I was going to a place where I already had a pretty close friend," Zaiser said. "I've known Corey since I was 10 years old. It was a big part of my decision to know someone on the team."

The chance to compete at home also was a strong selling point.

"When I was first recruited, coach told me I would have the chance to compete at home at least once," Zaiser said. "I knew last year we were going to Pitt. I'm so thrilled and so grateful the coaches would give us a chance to be at home one time during our careers."

Hartung and Zaiser supporters easily dominated last Sunday's announced crowd of 695. While the exact number couldn't be determined, the two easily "maxed out" Florida's guest list.

"There were 74 slots on the pass list, and all 74 were taken up by their friends and family," said Mary Howard, of the Florida sports information department. "I can't remember anywhere we've gone with this many people on the list."