Every team works hard for one ultimate goal and no matter how many injuries they face, no matter how much they have trained, and no matter what they accomplished in the season, only one thing matters at the end ““ the championship.
Coming fresh off its best performance of the season, the Pac-10-champion women’s gymnastics team will head to West Virginia this weekend for the NCAA Regionals. However, the Bruins know better than anyone that the past doesn’t count for anything.
Last year, despite a great season and many strong gymnasts, the team faltered at the regional meet and failed to make it to the NCAA Championships for the first time in 15 years. Only the top two teams will qualify for the next round and only a few small mistakes will separate the best from the worst.
The No. 8 Bruins will be going up against some tough competition that includes No. 5 LSU and No. 17 Auburn. However, the team knows what it is capable of, and they are not intimidated by their competition. In the individual sport of gymnastics, it can be anyone’s game, and the Bruins know that if they hit their routines, there should be no problems.
The team has had a great season, and they hope to ride their momentum into the postseason as well. Four of the gymnasts were named to the all-conference team with junior Tasha Schwikert leading the way.
Schwikert was honored as the Pac-10 Gymnast of the Year, as she dominated the competition at the Pac-10 Championships to claim the all-around title for the second time.
Yet another key factor in the team’s strong performance this year was the emergence of senior Michelle Selesky. After sitting out the majority of her first three years, the walk-on gymnast competed in every meet this season on floor and vault. Her leadership and hard work were also major contributions to the team.
As the team heads into the postseason, there is only one goal in mind. Not only would the championship mark UCLA’s return to the top of collegiate gymnastics, but it would also mark UCLA’s 100th national title.
But for now, all eyes are on this weekend’s meet. Unless the team excels this weekend, they will not have a shot at the national title, and as the Bruins head to West Virginia, they know where to keep their focus.