By Eli Karon
Daily Bruin Staff
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. “”mdash; Jamie Williams came to Tuscaloosa not
knowing how she would be a factor for two-time defending national
champion UCLA. Though the sophomore was healthy, she had little
chance of competing for a star-studded Bruin lineup.
During the first day of competition she found a way to
contribute by donating her leotard, first in warm-ups to Jeannette
Antolin and then for competitive use to teammate Onnie Willis.
Just a small yet important step in a march toward a national
championship.
The UCLA gymnastics team brought a host of athletes like
Williams to Alabama. They arrived in Tuscaloosa knowing they would
not compete but came with a positive attitude, dedication to the
team and, of course, extra leotards.
No one would call them the Fab Five. In fact, most fans
probably did not notice their presence. But to teammates and
coaches, they were as valuable as those competing on the floor.
“This team would not be what it is without them,”
junior Doni Thompson said. “They know where the mats need to
be, how to position the bars. They are so team-oriented.Â
We’d be lost without them.”
Though they did not compete, Williams, senior Lindsey Dong,
junior Carly Raab, sophomore Kristen Maloney, and freshman Christie
Tedmon saw plenty of action under the bright lights of Coleman
Coliseum.
Their role ranged from changing mats to carrying water, from
adjusting the uneven bars to sprinting back to the locker room for
lost wrist guards.
Not such glorious work for a group of Division I college
athletes.
“It’s hard not competing,” Williams said.
“It’s tough, but I get excited for them. I’m more
nervous now (watching) then when I’m competing.”
“It isn’t easy, but you know your teammates come
before yourself,” Raab added.
During the weekend UCLA used 10 athletes in competition, as much
as any other school. But in gymnastics, those who do not
compete take on added responsibility.
“I’m here to provide energy,” Dong said.
Energy leads to solid routines, and solid routines lead to
championships.
The most obvious example of outside help comes on the bars. When
a gymnast begins her bars routine, the springboard must be in a
precise location and the bars adjusted to the perfect height. Chalk
must be added to the bars and water sprayed to minimize slippage.
The smallest mistake can result in a traumatic crash-landing.
The unfamiliar five would never glorify their
position. They do what needs to be done to win, plain and
simple. Without them, UCLA would not be the successful program it
is today.