Thousands of kids packed Pauley Pavilion Sunday for the UCLA
gymnastics meet and watched the Bruins defeat the University of
Arizona 197.4-195.275.
Many youth gymnasts were present for the “I’m Going
to College” program, getting an up-close and personal view of
college athletics. The Bruins did not disappoint.
Before 3,489 supporters in Pauley Pavilion, the No. 1 Bruins
continued their winning ways against the No. 16 Wildcats.
The Bruins led from the outset, showing consistency with a 49.25
on vault. The Bruins have competed well all year on vault, scoring
below a 49.2 only once all season. Jeanette Antolin paced the
Bruins with a 9.95 on vault, edging teammate Onnie Willis and
Arizona gymnast Abby Pearson (9.925) for high score honors on the
apparatus.
The second rotation displayed UCLA’s depth, as it scored a
49.25. Senior Kristin Parker competed in exhibition, and compiled a
9.925, which did not count toward the team total.
“Because the team is so outstanding, you almost
can’t go wrong,” Parker said. “The lineup that
was up was amazing and on any given day any gymnast can hit 9.9 or
above.”
The Bruin gymnasts used another 49.25 on both bars and beam to
increase their lead (147.75) over the Wildcats, who tallied a 146.1
after three events.
UCLA returned to top form for the fourth and final rotation. The
floor has treated the Bruins well all year, and Sunday was no
different.
Antolin led off with a 9.875, followed by 9.9s from Parker and
Malia Jones. UCLA was so strong on floor that it was forced to drop
Kate Richardson’s 9.85 as the low score.
Onnie Willis whipped the crowd into a frenzy with a 9.975,
receiving a perfect 10 from one judge. Junior Jamie Dantzscher then
brought down the house with her eighth perfect 10 of the season,
capping a team total of 49.65 for UCLA.
The only thing the Bruins did that was out of the ordinary was
score below a 198. The Bruins have reached that landmark score four
times during the season, and though they failed to do so on Sunday,
they were more than happy with the outcome.
“It proves that we are still pretty sharp and deserve to
be where we are ““ on top,” assistant coach Milo Johnson
said.
“We can pretty much grab anybody off the team, put them on
the floor, and have them be able to hit. That’s exactly what
is needed in a team sport like (gymnastics).”