After two weeks without any action, the Bruins will travel to Denver for a meet on Saturday against 13th-ranked University of Denver.
The team competed in six meets in a three-week span, leaving the gymnasts tired and banged up. The girls used their time off to get healthy and improve their routines as they head into the latter part of the season.
UCLA is currently ranked seventh in the nation with a total season average of 195.671. Led by junior Tasha Schwikert, the team has managed to perform well despite a series of injuries that has left the lineup incomplete. Schwikert is currently ranked fourth in the all-around (39.396) and has posted the two highest individual scores in the country this year, a 39.7 against Arizona and a 39.675 at Cal State Fullerton.
However, the team has had to do without Kristina Comforte, who underwent pre-season shoulder and ankle surgery and is now sustaining a foot injury, which will keep her out of this weekend’s meet.
Jordan Schwikert and Ariana Berlin have also not been at full strength. Jordan recently returned to the vault lineup after spending several meets only on the uneven bars. Berlin, who had a solid performance last season, has not yet competed on the floor due to soreness in her leg.
Ashley Peckett and freshman Anna Li have provided the team a boost thus far with consistent performances each week but the team has yet to reach its peak. With the return of their veterans looming, there is optimism on the team and excitement for the improvement that is to come.
But the girls know they will have to take it up a notch to get to that elusive national title. As the team heads to Denver, it hopes to pick up where it left off two weeks ago and continue the journey to a national title.