The main issue for the No. 10 Michigan gymnastics team in
preparing for a meet against the top-ranked Bruins is where to
start.
The Bruins are not only ranked first in the country overall, but
also bring the top-ranking vault, bars, beam and floor team into
Ann Arbor to face the Wolverines.
Individually, a Bruin holds the top spot in each of the
aforementioned events as well as in the all-around. The only aspect
of UCLA’s team that cannot be determined from looking at the
top spots in the nation is its starting lineup. Seven Bruins are
ranked in the top 25 nationally in individual events.
Despite holding the top scores in virtually every aspect of the
sport, head coach Valorie Kondos Field is looking for more than
just high marks on Friday.
“I’m not really thinking about our ranking,”
Kondos Field said. “Since we had last weekend off, I’m
more concerned about getting back in the competitive groove.
I’m hoping that we can go in and be as focused as we have
been all season.”
To make matters worse for Michigan, Kondos Field plans to
compete her strongest lineup, though it is unclear exactly who will
be participating on each event. One question mark for UCLA is the
tender ankle of junior Jamie Dantzscher, who has battled injuries
for much of the season.
Despite this injury, Dantzscher is ranked first in the nation on
bars (9.975) and floor (9.985) and sixth on vault (9.925).
Teammate Jeanette Antolin is one of the five gymnasts in the
country ahead of Dantzscher in the vault rankings. Antolin boasts
the nation’s top vault RQS with a 9.965 in addition to being
12th best on beam (9.895) and 20th on bars (9.865).
However, Michigan is not a foe to be taken lightly.
“They’re getting better and better. They just beat
Utah at home,” Kondos Field said. “They’re on a
roll, and it’s going to be a good meet. We need to hit to
win.”
However, the Wolverines will be forced to compete without their
top gymnast, Elise Ray. The two-time All-American has missed all of
2003 with a shoulder injury, which could play a big factor in the
outcome of the meet.
“We want to repeat what we did in Arizona and keep the
energy going,” senior Kristin Parker said. “Since we
are not sure of our lineup, whoever is out there competing just
needs to take it event by event.”
If they take it event by event, the Bruins should come out on
top ““ no team in the country can boast better national
rankings.