A circle of gold leotards was gathered at the center of the floor at Pauley Pavilion. Soon, the gold began to shimmer and sparkle as the UCLA women’s gymnastics team began to hop up and down ahead of a floor event that could secure a win over BYU.
“Every time we go to floor, it’s a party and it seems like the same old thing, but it’s not an old thing,” UCLA coach Chris Waller said. “A party is always a good party, right?”
Four Bruins scored 9.9 or above in the event to catapult UCLA to a 196.600-196.275 victory over BYU on Wednesday.
Nia Dennis tied for top scores in three events to capture the all-around title. She scored a 9.850 for a three-way tie on vault with Chae Campbell and BYU’s Abby Miner Alder; a 9.90 to tie with BYU’s Abby Stainton on beam; and a 9.925 for a three-way tie with Margzetta Frazier and Miner Alder in floor.
“It honestly felt so amazing,” Dennis said. “I really did miss doing bars after not doing it for so long, even though it’s my least favorite event. But I really did miss it and I had so much fun out there today.”
Campbell and Frazier also competed in all-around, and Waller hinted that Pauline Tratz could be an all-around competitor in the near future.
The competition was close throughout the afternoon, with UCLA (3-0) edging BYU, 49.100-49.00, in the first events of the day – vault for the Bruins and bars for the Cougars.
Freshman Frida Esparza earned her team valuable points after scoring a 9.90 to win on bars and keep UCLA ahead. It also marked a season-high team score in the event for the Bruins.
An uncharacteristic fall from Samantha Sakti, who entered the meet ranked third in the nation on beam, allowed the Cougars (2-3) to gain their only lead of the contest after the third event. Dennis was the only one to reach at least 9.9 on beam, and it wasn’t enough to keep UCLA’s advantage.
A strong team outing on floor that saw high marks from Tratz (9.90), Frazier (9.925), Campbell (9.90) and Dennis (9.925) secured the win as well as some momentum for the coming meets.
UCLA has two more meets in the next nine days, starting at Washington on Sunday and at Utah on Feb. 19.
Treating practice like a competition and vice versa has been a major part of the Bruins’ mindset, and recovery will be key.
“I’m definitely going to roll my back out … I’m definitely getting a little older and my back is not what it used to be,” Frazier said with a smile. “So definitely going to put on some IcyHot and watch ‘WandaVision’ and just cool down.”
