Olympic Medal Gymnast Bridget Sloan Joins SEC Network 'Friday Night Heights' Studio

SEC Network is debuting new commentators, new roles, new graphics and streaming the razzle-dazzle of Southeastern Conference pre-meet introductions for the 2017 gymnastics season.

"The depth of extension for the sport of gymnastics on television seems limitless," said Meg Aronowitz, ESPN coordinating producer. "Since we began nationally televising live regular-season SEC meets in 2015 we've introduced live scoring interfaces, WIRED coaching segments, quad-box views, live apparatus feeds and expanded our schedule each year. This year's incredible roster of commentators and the addition of Before the Heights brings an additional layer of authenticity to the electricity of the meets for the viewer at home."

The network vaulted into its 18 meet television schedule - the most live regular-season meets ever slated for television - on Friday, Jan. 6 with Olympians Bart Conner and Kathy Johnson Clarke joined by ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. A fixture in women's sports reporting, Rowe made her gymnastics debut on Friday. She joins Courtney Kupets Carter beginning Friday, Jan. 13 in her season-long play-by-play role on one of ESPN's "Friday Night Heights" doubleheader packages.

Also new to the roster, but certainly not the sport, Olympic Medalist (2008), World Champion (2009) and nine-time NCAA National Champion Bridget Sloan joins SEC Network this season as an SEC NOW studio-analyst. The recent Florida graduate is the only woman to ever win U.S., World and NCAA Championships in the All-Around competition. Sloan will share her expert opinion every Friday on SEC NOW beginning January 20.

"Before college my goal was to make the 2008 Olympics, during college my goal was for my team and I to win a National Championship, after college my goal was to work for SEC Network. To say I'm excited about working for SEC Network is an understatement, I am beyond excited and can't wait to get started!" - Bridget Sloan

Sloan is also slated as the booth-analyst for the Friday, March 3 matchup of Auburn at Missouri. She will be joined by Laura Rutledge for play-by-play. 2017 marks Rutledge's third season covering gymnastics as a reporter with Conner and Clarke, and her first season providing play-by-play.