MARY HOLSCHER Jamie Dantzscher earned
the Bruins’ second NCAA all-around title, winning the top position
on three of Thursday night’s four events.
By Eli Karon
Daily Bruin Contributor
TUSCALOOSA, AL””mdash;The NCAA gymnastics circuit is seeing
mostly red this weekend. Six teams will compete in
Friday’s finals, and UCLA will be the only team not wearing
red. That is thanks in large part to Bruin sophomore Jamie
Dantzscher.
Dantzscher led UCLA to a 197.100 second place finish in Thursday
evening’s preliminary round, earning the NCAA all-around
championship in the process. Host Alabama took first in the
round with a 197.300.Â
Other teams advancing to Friday’s finals are Stanford,
Georgia, Utah and Nebraska. The six teams will face off in the
Super Six, college gymnastics’ version of the Final
Four. Notably absent was Michigan, who was ranked in the top 5
in the nation before the weekend. Taking the Wolverines’
place was Stanford, earning its first trip to the NCAA Super Six in
school history.Â
With a 9.90 score on bars, her final event, Dantzscher clinched
at least a share of the NCAA all-around championship. From there it
was a waiting game. Alabama’s Andree Pickens was
competing on balance beam, her best event. Pickens scored a
strong 9.95, not quite good enough to share the title with
Dantzscher.Â
“My main focus is always on the team first when I’m
at NCAA (Championships),” Dantzscher said. “But
(the title) was definitely in the back of my mind.”
Pickens echoed Dantzscher’s team-first sentiments in
regards to her thoughts of an all-around title during the meet.
“I’m looking for that team title,” Pickens
said. “My whole focus here this year has been toward my
team. I want to see my team on top; I want them to experience
(a championship) before I leave.”
In essence, it was the Jamie Dantzscher show. The Bruin
standout led her team in every event, including a meet-high on
vault (9.950), floor (9.950) ,and bars (9.900). It is the
second year in a row a UCLA gymnast has taken home the all-around
title, with junior Onnie Willis earning that honor last year.
“I am thrilled for Jamie Dantzscher,” head coach
Valorie Kondos Field said. “It’s
well-earned.”
The teams will compete in a rotation favorable to Alabama, who
randomly drew the same rotation they have followed all year, ending
on balance beam. UCLA will be forced to sit and watch, as they will
end the competition on a bye.