Thursday, April 16, 1998
Teams threaten to transform Pauley into battleground for NCAA
crown
STORY: UCLA prepared to engage in combat with squads like BYU,
Georgia, this weekend
By Traci Mack
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Tumbling, leaping and vaulting their way towards campus this
weekend are twelve of America’s top collegiate gymnastic squads,
and the air of competition couldn’t be heavier.
In what will be perhaps the most hotly contested NCAA
Championship meet ever, the UCLA Bruins will compete with some of
their toughest rivals under the storied roof of Pauley Pavilion.
This is the first time since 1984 that the Championships have been
held in Los Angeles, and many visiting coaches couldn’t be
happier.
"It’s great to be in L.A., and not to have to travel halfway
across the world to compete," said Bob Levesque, head coach of the
University of Washington team.
Of course, the short distance from home isn’t the only reason
Levesque is happy to be at the NCAAs. His Huskies are the No. 4
seed, winning the West Regional with a score of 196.50. Ranked
seventh overall in the coaches poll, Washington is definitely one
of the teams with a chance to win it all.
"This is the first time we’ve made it to back-to-back NCAAs,"
said Levesque. "This is our best team ever at Washington. We won
the regionals for the first time ever. No one can take anything for
granted tomorrow. It will be a battle."
Perhaps battle is an understatement, as the presence of
top-notch teams such as Brigham Young, Michigan and Louisiana State
threatens to make these NCAAs a full-scale war.
Said Michigan coach Bev Plocki, "The field this year is a little
different. I think that goes to show that the teams that are here
have fought a lot and have done a lot. I think any of them have the
opportunity to be on the awards stand and win a championship."
While there may be parity in this year’s field, it’s not to say
that there isn’t a favorite. This year, that favored squad hails
from the University of Georgia. The Gym Dogs are the Southeast
Regional Champions and the No. 1 seed in the NCAAs, boasting a
regional score of 198.575, an NCAA record.
Georgia gymnasts also broke records on beam and floor at
regionals, not to mention capturing the all-around title through
Karin Lichey, who also broke a championship record with her score
of 39.875.
However, nipping at the heels of the Gym Dogs are the Gators of
the University of Florida, their SEC rivals and Southeast Regional
runner-up.
"Each year, I am astounded by how much better (the NCAA
Championships) get. I think anybody can get into the Super Six,"
said Florida coach Judi Markell.
Not to be outdone, Alabama and Utah, who each won their
respective regionals, also believe they have a shot at the title.
The two are a study in contrasts: the Utes are winners of a record
ten NCAA Championships, while the Crimson Tide has only competed at
these championships one time.
All of these teams can be seen beginning on Thursday in Pauley
Pavilion. Team preliminaries will be underway at 1p.m., with
Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, BYU, North Carolina State and Arizona
State competing. In the evening session, at 7:30, fans will see
Florida, Washington, Utah, LSU, UCLA and Penn State perform.
The top three teams from each session will move on to the Super
Six team finals, in which they will go head to head for a shot at
the NCAA gymnastics crown. The finals will be held on Friday at
7:30 p.m.