1. Softball: Kristen Dedmon’s game-winning single
in the Women’s College World Series (May 31,
2004).
With the NCAA Championship game tied 1-1, freshman Kristen
Dedmon, who had hit only .191 for the year, came off the bench to
pinch-hit. Dedmon lasered a ball into center field, driving in the
game-winning run and giving the Bruins back-to-back titles.
Softball’s dynasty continues.
2. Gymnastics: Kristen Maloney sticks her final beam
routine (April 16, 2004).
In front of the home crowd at Pauley Pavilion, the UCLA
gymnastics team put on a near-flawless performance, scoring a
198.125 to shatter the NCAA Championship meet record.
Maloney’s 9.925 on the beam was icing on the cake.
3. Baseball: The miracle at Jackie Robinson Stadium (May
2, 2004).
The Bruins had to score nine runs in the final two innings and
six in the bottom of the ninth in to beat rival USC, 13-12. Chris
Denove’s single in the ninth was not only the finishing touch
to what coach Gary Adams coined “The miracle at Jackie
Robinson Stadium,” but it also helped the team get into the
postseason.
4. Men’s Basketball: Wooden dedication at Pauley
(Dec. 20, 2004).
Before the Michigan State-UCLA game on Dec. 20, the floor at
Pauley Pavilion was renamed Nell and John Wooden Court. The
ceremony recognized the single most-identifiable face in UCLA
history.
5. Women’s Track: Monique Henderson runs for the
championship (June 12, 2004).
Receiving the baton in seventh place, Henderson races past three
other runners in the 4X400 relay to secure a fourth-place finish.
Henderson’s performance gave UCLA a one-point lead in the
final standings, earning them a coveted national title. Chalk
another one up for the ladies.
6. Women’s Golf: Charlotte Mayorkas sinks a
30-foot putt on the 17th hole of the NCAA Championships. (May 22,
2004).
Holding on to a one-shot lead over Oklahoma State, Mayorkas
calmly buried her lengthy birdie putt and any doubt who was going
to walk away with the championship.
7. Women’s Basketball: Making the NCAA Tournament
(March 14, 2004).
If any team has ever made huddling around a television a
perilous activity, it’s the women’s hoops team. One
year after sitting on the bubble and never popping the cork, the
team heard its name on Selection Sunday and let the champagne flow.
Though they were one and done, making the tourney was a huge step
in the rebuilding of the program.
8. Men’s basketball: Signing Day (Nov. 12,
2003).
The highlight of the year didn’t take place on the
basketball court, but most likely by a fax machine. The signing of
Jordan Farmar, Arron Afflalo, Josh Shipp and Lorenzo Mata have
brought optimism and hope for the future of men’s hoops. Then
again, it couldn’t get any worse.
9. Men’s tennis: Breaking Illinois’ 64-match
winning streak (May 24, 2004).
UCLA pulled off one of the biggest wins in recent memory in the
NCAA Semifinals when it beat undefeated and defending NCAA Champion
Illinois. The momentum didn’t carry over to the next day
however, as the Bruins lost to Baylor in the NCAA Championship
match.
10. Women’s tennis: Daniela Bercek settles the
score (May 21, 2004).
When Bercek beat Miami’s Megan Bradley, who not only was
ranked No. 4 in the country but transferred from UCLA after 2002,
it sent the Bruins to the NCAA Semifinals for the first time since
1996. Bercek’s 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 come-from behind victory
clinched the 4-3 victory for the Bruins.