Injury Update
At this point in the season many members of the UCLA gymnastics
team are dealing with injuries. Head coach Valorie Kondos Field
recognizes the importance of keeping her gymnasts healthy in order
to compete in a strong Pac-10 conference. She said the best thing
to do is to rest the gymnasts but make sure that they are staying
focused.
“The Pac-10 Championships are huge,” said Kondos
Field. “I believe five of the top 15 teams in the country
will be competing here in Pauley (Mar. 29). We really need to go
out and just keep hitting and stay healthy.”
Senior Doni Thompson has been unable to compete this year due to
an undisclosed injury, but said that she hopes to be able to
compete by the Pac-10 championships.
“Everyone is just trying to stay as healthy as they can,
and we’re having lighter practices this week. We’re
trying to keep the momentum going ““ finding the nice balance
to keep up the intensity,” Thompson said.
All-American Jamie Dantzscher did not compete in the all-around
last weekend, in the Bruins’ tie at Stanford or in their home
win versus Washington. Suffering from an ankle injury, Dantzscher
was still able to record perfect 10s on three of her four routines
last weekend. Her 10 on floor versus Washington was her third in
four floor routines this year.
Dantzscher also recorded a 10 on bars at Stanford, helping the
Bruins avoid a Pac-10 loss. She was recently named Pac-10 Gymnast
of the Week, becoming the third Bruin to win the award this
year.
Bruins on pace for Pac-10 crown
With four meets remaining in the regular season, the gymnastics
team is on pace to capture the Pac-10 crown for the seventh time in
the past decade. After their most recent victory against Washington
last Sunday, the Bruins have been elevated back to No. 1, their
preseason ranking. They compiled a 198.575 team score, a school
record which tied the national collegiate record, now shared with
Georgia.
Over President’s Day weekend, the Bruins will travel to
Tempe to face Arizona State. Last year the Bruins easily defeated
the Sun Devils and will surely be looking for more Pac-10 success
with just two conference meets remaining. The Bruins will finish
regular season Pac-10 competition against the Arizona Wildcats the
following weekend in Pauley Pavilion.
The Wildcats were the only Pac-10 team to beat the Bruins last
season.
Team improving
The nation’s best team is getting even better. In last
weekend’s win against Washington, four Bruins recorded
personal bests. Senior Onnie Willis had her best ever all-around
performance, recording a 39.8. In the same meet, Willis posted a
9.975 on bars, another personal best. Other personal bests were
recorded by junior Jamie Dantzscher ““ perfect 10 on vault,
Yvonne Tousek ““ 9.95 on beam, and Malia Jones, who scored a
9.95 on floor.
Notes compiled by Marcus Anderson, Daily Bruin Contributor.