Florida Gymnast Beats Cancer, Inspires Gators as Student Manager
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Peyton Harbert was honored as part of National Student-Manager Appreciation Week by the Florida gymnastics team, a recognition that belies a journey marked by cancer, cardiac issues and a steadfast dedication to the sport she loves. The SEC Network also recognized Harbert, along with fellow managers Becca Thomas and Michelle Emmerman, during Florida’s recent competition at Georgia on February 20th.
Harbert’s path to becoming an integral part of the Gator gymnastics program was irrevocably altered in December 2020 when, at age 16, she received a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer affecting children and young adults. The diagnosis came after she initially dismissed pain following a fall on the ice while working at a skating rink, believing it to be a broken tailbone. Further examination revealed the cancer was located in the back of her pelvis, prompting a difficult conversation with her parents.
Prior to her diagnosis, Harbert had been a gymnast since the age of two, and was actively coaching in high school. The cancer ended her competitive career, but not her connection to the sport. She began working as a student manager for the Florida gymnastics team in the fall of 2022, as a freshman.
“Peyton’s been a pillar of strength on this team,” said Gators coach Jenny Rowland. “She truly shows what resilience, what a fighter actually looks like, and I understand this team takes that to heart and are extremely supportive and grateful for everything that Peyton does in the gym. And there is so much that she does outside of the gym for this team. It’s shown and reciprocated for sure.”
The emotional toll of treatment was significant. Harbert experienced hair loss during chemotherapy, a particularly challenging moment that her family and friends marked by shaving her head on her 17th birthday, turning a difficult experience into a celebration of her strength. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Harbert sought to maintain a sense of normalcy throughout her treatment. “During my cancer diagnosis, one of the biggest things was I wanted to keep my life steady and just kind of keep it regular,” she said. “I didn’t want to be treated any different than anybody else and gymnastics had always been a big part of my life, so that was something I knew I definitely did not want to supply up.”
Harbert is now in remission, having received confirmation of being cancer-free before graduating high school. Although, her health journey continued with cardiac issues surfacing at the end of last year, prompting further medical evaluation, according to updates shared on her Instagram page, “Pey_Strong.”
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by her teammates. “I think her story is just so amazing to see the fight that she went through, and it’s definitely something that pushes us every day,” said junior gymnast Danie Ferris.
With graduation approaching in May, Harbert has the opportunity to continue with the team for a fifth year while pursuing a master’s degree in the studies of law, with the ultimate goal of attending physician assistant school. She intends to specialize in oncology, drawing on her personal experience to assist young patients facing cancer.
“Never give up,” Harbert said. “Lean on your people, lean on the community around you. You’re going to see how much good is in the world. That was one of the best things that cancer taught me was how much good is still out there in the world.”
The No. 4 Gators (7-2) are scheduled to compete in a quad meet featuring Arizona State and Fisk at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas, at 8 p.m. ET on Friday.