NICOLE MILLER/Daily Bruin Seniors Lindsey
Dong and Valerie Velasco know the ropes
when it comes to world-class gymnastics competition.
By Adam Karon
Daily Bruin Staff
Nostalgia is something that comes with age, but senior gymnasts
Lindsey Dong and Valerie Velasco seem covered by a melancholy glaze
when asked about the 1999 Pac-10 championships.
They think back to a time when they were young and healthy, a
time when they were asked to step up and perform. Members of their
team went down with injuries, and as freshmen they filled the
vacancies with grace, leading the Bruins to the Pac-10 title.
That year Dong was named Rookie of the Year and Velasco Most
Improved Gymnast. But that was four years ago, and their
competitive spotlights have dimmed. Neither has competed regularly
since then, yet neither displays a sense of regret when asked about
their careers at UCLA.
“We just work as hard as we can and try to be ready if
we’re called upon,” Dong said.
But they are rarely called upon, at least not during
competition.
Velasco is the seventh athlete in a six-girl rotation, listed as
the alternate during competitions.
“It’s one of the hardest positions in
gymnastics,” head coach Valorie Kondos-Field said. “You
are expected to hit (your routine) when you’re called
on.”
As a vault specialist, Dong competes even less, especially since
the recent arrival of several Olympic gymnasts.
Both girls are walk-ons, and proud of that title.
“We compete for the love of the sport,” Velasco
said.
“Sometimes it’s hard,” adds Dong. “We
work just as hard, but usually know we aren’t going to
compete.”
Though both crave more action, neither girl resents her role. As
the only two seniors on a team expected to win the national
championship for a third consecutive year, Dong and Velasco provide
maturity and experience to a very young squad.
They set good examples by training hard and making sure
teammates study. On occasion they even coordinate team dinners in
which Dong prepares food while Velasco, also known as DJ VJ,
prepares the music.
During meets they become cheerleaders and roadies, encouraging
teammates and helping to move mats and adjust bars when the team
switches apparatus.
Two years ago, opposing coaches noticed their enthusiastic and
quick efforts on the equipment enough to dub them the “Pit
Crew,” a title the girls took with a laugh and a smile.
According to Dong, the secret to maintaining a positive attitude
is stability. A balanced person by nature, she is currently
tackling the Business Economics Major and Accounting minor, as well
as a specialization in computing. Dong is consistently the
team’s top academic performer, routinely scraping the 4.0
mark. She recently completed a summer auditing internship for
Deloitte and Touche in San Jose.
Last year Dong joined the business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi.
She credits these outside influences, particularly her fraternity,
with helping to keep her sane when the life of a walk-on gets
difficult.
“It isn’t easy when a friend says, “˜Can I come
to the meet and watch you?'” Dong said. “I just
say, “˜You can watch me warm up,’ and then I
laugh.”
Dong might need a little more laughter this year. She is
suffering from a fractured foot and could miss the entire season.
Though this might be a depressing way to end her career, Dong still
attends every practice and according to Kondos-Field brings a
“no-nonsense, hardworking attitude to the gym.”
Velasco’s role on the team is slightly different, but
equally challenging. Though she is expected to get more time this
year than ever before, she maintains the mental toughness required
to come off the bench and perform a “pinch hitter” role
in clutch situations.
Velasco cites her boyfriend, Marvin Antonio, and the campus club
Samahang Pilipino as outside influences that keep her tough
mentally.
That both girls are so involved in outside organizations is
unique to Division I athletes. Some coaches frown upon these
involvements, arguing that they detract from a team atmosphere. But
to Dong and Velasco, extracurricular activities provide something
to look forward to outside the gym, making their time on the mat
more enjoyable.
It would be easy for Dong and Velasco to get frustrated, to quit
or to walk away. After all, they are the only two girls left from
their freshman class of six.
But Dong and Velasco can’t quit. They have another Pac-10
title to win and even if they don’t compete in the finals
they will end their careers as they began them, contributing when
they are needed.