UCLA sets away-meet record with win at ASU

After yet another nearly flawless meet, the UCLA gymnastics team
has rendered the once-watershed score of 198 meaningless.

On Sunday in Tempe, Ariz., UCLA used four perfect 10s to achieve
its highest score ever in an away meet, in a 198.4 to 198.15
victory over No. 7 Arizona State at Wells Fargo Arena.

UCLA was pushed to the limit by ASU, but in the end not even two
perfect 10s by the Sun Devils and a school-record score could
defeat the Bruins. It is the fourth time this season alone that the
Bruins have reached the 198 mark, but only the sixth time in school
history.

“It’s kind of odd, because it would be like
expecting a basketball team to score over 100 point every
game,” head coach Valorie Kondos Field said. “But with
our depth, if we hit our routines, that’s what scores come
up. I think they expect to go out and hit (their routines). We
still need to create the magic. We don’t concentrate on the
score; the score is a by-product of hitting.”

Another generally rare feat in gymnastics that has almost become
commonplace at UCLA meets is the perfect 10. While many critics
would say there is no such thing, the judges at UCLA’s meets
would beg to differ.

Junior Jamie Dantzscher added two more perfect 10s to her
collection, this time on bars and vault; junior Jeanette Antolin
had her second career 10 and her second in three meets on the
vault, and freshman sensation Kate Richardson recorded hers on the
beam for the second time this season.

The trend of perfection seems to be spreading, as ASU’s
Maggie Germaine and Ashley Ellsberry each posted a perfect 10 on
the balance beam, contributing to the Sun Devils’
collegiate-record and nearly flawless 49.875 on beam. Germaine went
on to win the all-around competition with a 39.775, another ASU
record.

Despite the heroic effort by the Sun Devils, it was UCLA’s
consistency which led to the victory. The Bruins hit 24 out of 24
routines and performed admirably in a hostile environment. Bruin
gymnasts Christie Tedmon and Alyssa Beckerman also competed in
exhibition and hit their routines as well. The Bruins have now won
31 straight home meets.

“The mark of a great team is one that can compete well
away from home. Regardless of what house we’re in, it’s
still our house,” Kondos Field said. “Even though we
hit 26 routines, there is still room for improvement. I think this
makes a statement that wherever we are, that’s our
home.”

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