After dealing with what she has termed a continuous violation of
team rules, UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field released
sophomore Lori Winn from the team just prior to the squad’s
trip to Arkansas on March 21.
“I’m sorry things didn’t work out and I had to
release her,” Kondos Field said. “When you take a job
somewhere, you know what the rules of the company are and you have
to choose whether to abide by those rules or not. I cannot have
separate rules for different people.”
Kondos Field would not elaborate on the nature of the
violations.
According to Kondos Field, several Bruins have received calls
from gymnasts at the University of Oklahoma who say that Winn, an
Oklahoma City native, intends to join the Sooners next season.
Winn’s dismissal from the Bruins was foreshadowed by a
four-meet suspension earlier in the season, also a result of
breaking team rules.
Though she continued to practice with the team throughout her
monthlong departure from competition, Winn became noticeably rusty
and unreliable upon her return and was unable to make an impact for
a team that was suffering several injuries and illnesses at the
time.
Despite the possibility that Winn’s struggles may have
been a result of the time off, Kondos Field said she did not regret
her decision to suspend the gymnast and stands behind her latest
decision.
“I think I did what was best for her and also what was
best for the team,” Kondos Field said. “I care about
Lori a lot and I think she may be more successful somewhere
else.”
The expulsion did not catch the team off guard as the violations
became a continuing trend.
“I don’t know if she was surprised or not,”
Kondos Field said. “She knew what the final straw was. It
wasn’t a really surprise to anyone. It was just a matter of
time.”
Winn’s absence from the postseason roster should not
affect the Bruins’ championship run as the team has not had
to rely on her scores this season.