Some of the current members of the UCLA gymnastics team…
WATCHING THAT HONOR TO BRUIN NATION IN THEIR LAST EVER CONFERENCE HOME MEET
For reasons that I’m unable to go into right now, but may be able to at a later time,
I was unable to go see my favorite team in the sports universe – the women’s gymnastics team at UCLA – in action this season.
That is, until this past Sunday when I ventured to Westwood and Pauley Pavilion to check out those Bruin gymnasts in their battle with a Cal Berkeley Golden Bear team that has been flat-out surging these past few seasons and, both in all honesty and for all intents and purposes, has surpassed the Bruins as far as overall performance and results.
Which was more than confirmed by the end of the meet between the U.C. system’s two flagship schools,
But we’ll get to that.
I arrived at Pauley when the doors opened an hour before the meet began, going down to the floor level to say hello to various people I knew, including an usher who is dear to me and my Bruin Nation friends, other ushers who I’ve known for years, two former Bruin gymnasts who now cover meets in the media, one of them for the Pac-12 Network, and some other familiar faces along with a few of the gymnasts and one of the coaches.
It was fun seeing everyone again.
As for the meet itself – long story short…
In a nutshell, even though the Bruins did quite well in scoring a 197.775, which included several near-perfect 9.95s,
By the end of the meet, it was crystal clear that their Golden Bear sisters were simply the better team in scoring a 198.400,
Which included a perfect ten on the floor exercise and another perfect ten and a 9.975 on the beam,
Which after those stellar scores on that beam led me to go, “That’s it, we’re done!”
And to not only remark to the Cal fans I encountered that their team was better than the Bruins, which I fully admitted and accepted,
I told them that they had a legitimate shot at dethroning super dynasty Oklahoma, who has won I-don’t-know how many national championships in a row.
And that if UCLA didn’t win the “Natty” this year, I hoped that those Golden Bears would.
As it turned out, I had as much fun after the meet as I did before and during as I ventured over to the Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center and Hotel next door to Pauley, where the gymnasts and their families as well as the coaches and quite a few fans hang out and eat at Plateia, the restaurant that’s featured there.
I was able to say hello to several current and former Bruin Gymnasts as well as some of the Cal gymnasts’ fans and parents, which was a good experience.
I particularly liked how the Bruin gymnasts, past and present, exude so much love and solidarity among each other; I found myself taking photos for some of them, using their cellphones to capture such love.
This season’s UCLA Gymnastics’ introduction video that’s shown before every home meet (click on the link)
The inevitable question – what about UCLA’s chances at any kind of a championship, national or otherwise?
After watching their meet, as solid of a team as they are I was, once and for all, convinced of one thing…
They miss three key Bruin gymnasts.
One of them, Emma Malabuyo, missed the past two meets, including this Cal meet, due to her going for the upcoming Olympics in Paris this summer as she’s vying to make the Philippines’ Olympic team;
At least she’s slated to return for the upcoming meet vs Stanford, however.
Another key Bruin gymnast, Ana Padurariu, has taken a leave of absence as she’s training to try and make the Canadian Olympic team.
But it’s the third Bruin gymnast, Jordan Chiles, who’s doing the same thing in trying to make the U.S. team, that those Bruins really miss as if those three gymnasts were available,
UCLA would be very strong contenders for Four-On-The-Floor at Nationals, the equivalent of basketball’s Final Four for women’s college gymnastics.
As such, those Bruin gymnasts are good enough to where I have them in the Regionals,
Especially if they achieve scores of 198+ in at least one of their remaining three regular season meets and give a GREAT showing at the Pac-12 Championships.
After that, it remains to be seen; I’ll certainly have a clearer view of their fate in a few weeks.
As such,
It was a good time seeing them at what was their final meet vs Cal – at least for the time being – as they will be in different conferences next year.
i only hope that the two schools arrange to keep this U.C. rivalry.
In any case,
No matter what happens, they will always be an honor to Bruin Nation in my book.
This season’s Bruin gymnasts posing in front of the Bruin Bear statue…
The Bruin Gymnasts’ annual “4s Up” pic by the Bruin Bear statue. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
UCLA WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS – 2023 SEASON AT A GLANCE
Record: 20-8-2, 4-1-2 and tied for first place in the Pac-12 Conference
PAC-12 CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON CO-CHAMPIONS
Finished in second place at the Pac-12 Championships
Finished first in the second round of the NCAA Los Angeles Regionals with a score of 198.275
Finished second in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional Finals with a score of 197.925
Finished third in the NCAA National Semi-Finals (second session) with a score of 197.9125
Final National Rank: Fifth
Season Average Score: 197.774
Season High Score: 198.275, vs Iowa State on March 11th and in the second round of the NCAA Regionals on March 30th
Total number of scores of 9.95 and above: 66, led by Jordan Chiles’ 33
Number of perfect tens: SIX – Jordan Chiles with five and Selena Harris with one
2024 PRESEASON RANK: Fifth
Coach: Janelle McDonald, second season
First Meet: Saturday, January 6th at Mean Girls Super 16 Gymnastics Championships in Las Vegas, NV vs Alabama, Auburn, & California
First Home Meet: Saturday, January 27th vs Washington
Other Home Meets:
Sunday, February 4th vs Arizona
Monday, February 19th vs Utah
Sunday, February 25th vs California
Saturday, March 16th vs Clemson
Key Gymnasts:
Selena Harris (Soph):
With 15 scores of 9.95+, including seven of them on the balance beam and a perfect ten on the vault at the Regional Finals at Pauley, this number recruit did not disappoint in her first season in Westwood as she will be counted on even more this year.
Chae Campbell (Sr):
This senior dazzled on the floor in particular in 2023, scoring 9.95 six times in that event as well as being stellar on the vault as well; her leadership will be essential, as will this next Bruin Gymnast…
Margzetta Frazier (Gr):
I was happily shocked when this charismatic Bruin – who is the last UCLA gymnast from the “Miss Val”, (Valorie Kondos Field) era – returned to Westwood last year. And I’m even more happily shocked at her return this year as her 9.95s on the floor in the Regional Finals and the National Semifinals showed that she still has quite a bit left in the tank. With her longevity, she will be another coach out there.
Emma Malabuyo (Jr):
This member of the Philippines’ National Team – she has announced that she will be missing the Utah and Cal meets in February to participate in their meets – has been dependable on the beam with her three scores of 9.95, two of them coming in the postseason.
Brooklyn Moors (Jr):
Though she was hurt nearly all last season until the Regionals and Nationals, this Canadian’s two 9.90 scores on the vault during the L.A. Regional showed that she is more than capable, and will be counted on this season on the vault and the floor.
Ciena Alipio (Soph):
She was steady on the beam last season, posting scores of 9.80+ in all but two meets, and she will be depended on for a steady presence this year.
Chloe Lashbrooke (RS Sr):
After missing all but three meets last season and being injured for much of the previous two years, this Bruin is chomping at the bit to show what she can do and to contribute, and I expect her to impress, much like this next red shirt senior….
Emma Andres (RS Sr):
Missed all of last year due to injury. Her prowess on the floor in particular makes me quite optimistic about her bounce back, however.
Frida Esparza (Sr):
Like Andres, Esparza missed all of last year due to injury, but she’s ready to contribute this season and I expect her to do well.
Emily Lee (Jr):
This Bruin did a good job on the beam, scoring 9.90 or better eight times in that event, including a 9.95 against Iowa State. She will be counted on to provide good scores on that apparatus this year.
Nya Reed (Gr):
Transferring from national power Florida, this new Bruin impressed at the “Meet The Bruins” event with a floor routine that honored her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. She will undoubtedly dazzle there as well as provide leadership for the team.
Early preparation for a meet. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
More 4’s Ups during practice. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
THOUGHTS:
Due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unfortunately unable to attend the preseason “Meet The Bruins” event in Pauley Pavilion last month.
However,
I did have the fortune to witness a preseason practice this past October,
And though it was the preseason and those Bruin gymnasts were immersed in their “Spring Training” and “Training Camp” mode,
The routines they were performing looked quite good; I was very impressed.
Particularly on the vault as unlike last season, they have added new routines with a 10.0 start value that will no doubt help them, the vault having been somewhat of a weak link throughout much of 2023.
Janelle McDonald was exactly what those Bruins needed in her first year as head coach, her enthusiasm did much to propel UCLA to a Pac-12 co-championship and a berth in the Nationals for the first time since 2019.
Of course I expect to see more of that youthful enthusiasm from her and her staff this year,
Especially since both Jordan Chiles and Ana Padurariu will be sitting this college gymnastics season out to prepare for the Olympic Trials in hopes of becoming Olympians for the U.S. (in Chiles’ case) and Canada (In Padurariu’s case),
Which was why Nya Reed was a Godsend as she’s set to fill in for Chiles, which I expect her to do rather neatly.
The freshmen – Sydney Barros, Katelyn Rosen, Alex Irvine, and Paige Anastasi – are also expected to significantly contribute to the Bruins as they being their final season in the Pac-12, UCLA slated to become a Big ten Conference school next year.
As for their chances this season – at least in my view…
Much like in other years, it comes down to this,
The healthier those Bruin Gymnasts are, the better their chances for a national championship.
They certainly have the talent to be one of the teams in the “Four on the Floor” finals at Nationals, and they are certainly talented enough to take on and beat Utah, Florida, and (especially!) Oklahoma;
They just have to stay healthy as the last time that happened, they won the 2018 “natty” in an epic fashion.
Go to YouTube and type “UCLA Gymnastics 2018 Nationals” on the search bar for proof.
As always, I’m very much looking forward to watching this honor to Bruin Nation and my favorite team in sports this year, as I have been for the past twenty-plus years.
I regret missing the “Meet The Bruins” event,
Which is why I’ll be sure to see at least one of their meets in Pauley, preferably against Utah and Cal.
Giving the crowd an “8-Clap” after the recent “Meet The Bruins” event. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
A happy bunch of Bruins in Pauley Pavilion after qualifying for Nationals at the Regional Finals. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
MY REFLECTIONS AND AN OFFICIAL (belated) WRAP-UP OF WHAT WAS A MEMORABLE SEASON FOR THOSE BRUIN GYMNASTS
UCLA GYMNASTICS – 2023 SEASON BY THE NUMBERS
Final Record: 20-8-2, 4-1-2 and tied for first place in the Pac-12 Conference
PAC-12 CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON CO-CHAMPIONS
Finished in second place in the Pac-12 Championships
Finished first in the second round of the NCAA Los Angeles Regionals with a score of 198.275
Finished second in the NCAA Los Angeles Regional Finals with a score of 197.925
Finished third in the NCAA National Semi-Finals (second session) with a score of 197.9125
Final Rank: Fifth
Season Average Score: 197.774
Season High Score: 198.275, vs Iowa State on March 11th and in the second round of the NCAA Regionals on March 30th
Number of Perfect Tens: SIX
Jordan Chiles – three on bars, two on floor
Selena Harris – one on vault
Co-Most Valuable Gymnasts:
Jordan Chiles – Besides her five perfect tens achieved this season, Jordan became the NCAA champion on the uneven parallel bars and the floor exercise at the national semifinals. She averaged at least a 9.90 on the bars, vault and floor, winning the Pac-12 title on bars and floor, and was named the West Region Gymnast of the Year for being one of the Bruin gymnasts who carried the team this year. Her NQS score of 39.810 in the All-Around was the highest in UCLA Gymnastics history, finishing second in the country, and I fervently hope and pray that after taking 2024 off to train for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team in order to make a bid for the ’24 Games in Paris, Jordan will return to Westwood in 2025 to lead the Bruins and be their superstar again.
Selena Harris – She much more than lived up to her status as the nation’s number one recruit as she was clearly the Rookie of the Year not only for UCLA, not only in the Pac-12, where she earned Freshman/Newcomer of the Year honors, but the Nation, earning seven All-American nods and totaling scores of 9.95-plus – including her perfect ten on the vault in the regional finals – or better fifteen times. With Jordan Chiles training for a spot on the 2024 Olympic team next year, Selena will continue to be one of the go-to gymnasts that UCLA will need as I see her eventually becoming one of the Bruin greats by the time her senior season is over.
A nice photo of the Bruin Gymnasts during podium training for the Nationals. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Getting hyped up for podium training at Nationals. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Comments, Thoughts, and Analysis…
Sorry this is a bit late,
But as they say, better late than never, right?
After all the negative drama that went down last year with this program,
And after what she and her staff did in leading this team from the virtual dead to achieve so much and exceed expectations in becoming one of the nation’s elite teams again, making Nationals after the Bruins missed out on such the previous two years,
I would like to make this statement…
Janelle McDonald needs to get an good-sized extension on her contract. And a good-sized raise.
Along with her staff, choreographer B.J. Das, Kyle Graber and Autumn Graber,
Janelle exuded SUCH youthful enthusiasm, positivity, and just plain fun in the program; one of the first things she did with the team was to take them to Disneyland for team bonding during preseason training,
That she more than won over Bruin Nation, particularly yours truly as my stating that I was willing to give her a chance upon her hiring turned out to be an excellent decision.
That she was passed over for Pac-12 Coach of the Year was an ultimate robbery.
In short, Janelle did a wonderfully spectactular job in her first year in Westwood and as a first-year head coach.
Tremendously stupendous!
Fantastic!
However,
While it’s certainly not my intention to rain on any parades,
I would like to see two things from her for next year:
Sign at least a couple of more gymnasts to add to her 2024 class, and
Sign some vault specialists whose routines have 10.0 starting values who can consistently get 9.9-pluses; using the transfer portal to do such is a great idea.
It was the vault that served as the proverbial Achilles’ heel for those Bruins, as save for the meet against Iowa State and the two Regional sessions,
UCLA had problems on that apparatus the entire year,
Including at Nationals, where they had to count two scores of 9.7s and which killed any chances of reaching the finals and competing for their eighth national championship.
If they can add some gymnasts who can get those vault scores up,
Combined with the stellar returnees they have such as Emma Malabuyo and Chae Campbell to go along with Harris,
Their chances of beating teams like Utah and Oklahoma and winning natty number eight will go through the roof.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing the class Janelle signs and checking them out at the next “Meet The Bruins” preseason event this December.
Until then,
Those UCLA gymnasts need to feel very good about the progress they made as a team and as a program this year.
And they need to be excited about continuing that progress and taking the next step,
Which is to have the confetti falling on them while holding that national chamionship trophy while those Sooners from Norman and Red Rocks from Salt Lake City are watching with extreme disappointment.
Getting saluted at their hotel in Fort Worth, TX on their way to Dickies Arena for the National semifinals. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
The 2007 UCLA Gymnastics team with the UCLA Alumni Band, Pauley Pavilion. Photo courtesy of Joel Fierberg (Thanks, Joel!) P.S. I’m standing third from right
A CELEBRATION OF TWO DECADES OF A WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIP IN WESTWOOD
Sunday, March 16, 2003.
The UCLA Alumni Band, an organization that was established in 1976 and has been prominent in Westwood ever since, was invited to play at a gymnastics meet at Pauley Pavilion featuring the nationally ranked UCLA women’s gymnastics team and three other squads; Oklahoma, North Carolina and Rhode Island.
I was there due to my being in the alumni band, having joined them after my graduation from that institution nearly twelve years earlier.
We first played a concert outside of Pauley for the 10.0 Club, the fundraising support group for the Bruin gymnasts, then after about an hour of playing and after partaking of the chicken and other edible goodies that were provided we took our instruments and entered the arena.
When we played the Bruin fight song, “Sons of Westwood”, upon entering, the gymnasts paused their warmups and clapped along, doing the “8-Clap” when it came up and showing how glad they were that we were there supporting them.
As for the meet itself, although UCLA finished second to Oklahoma I think I can speak for everyone in the Alumni Band when I say that we had a very good time playing our horns and supporting those Bruins, feeling the appreciation from them.
A few days later, we got an email from our then-band president that began with “They want us back!”, inviting us to play at the Pac-10 Championship meet that was being held at Pauley on the 29th.
Which we showed up for and had an even better time, watching those Bruin gymnasts take the (then) Pac-10 championship, highlighted by perfect 10s from Jeanette Antolin on the vault and Kate Richardson on the floor.
Fast forward two years…
At the Alumni Band’s annual rehearsal at the then-president’s house in Chatsworth that August, Valorie Kondos Field, the UCLA Gymnastics coach who is known to one and all as “Miss Val”, showed up as a special guest and promptly announced that she was making us the “Official Band of UCLA Gymnastics”, inviting us to play at their home meets on a regular basis.
Which of course we enthusiastically said “Yes!” to.
Thus solidifying, to quote Humphrey Bogart’s last line in the 1942 classic film Casablanca,
“…the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
Which after twenty years and on its third head coach is as strong as ever.
I know, as sure as I’m typing this, that playing for those bunch of Bruin gymnasts has been most enjoyable on a pronounced scale for me;
So much so that a few years ago I mentioned to some of the gymnasts that in over forty years of playing my saxophone, I’ve never had more fun than I’ve had playing for that UCLA gymnastics program at their meets.
It has done more than serve to enhance my sense of Bruinhood and pride in UCLA after watching those student-athletes do their incredible routines on the vault, uneven parallel bars, balance beam and floor and while having so much fun doing such (check out their “Floor Party” during the floor exercise event sometime).
And I’m sure everyone else in the UCLA Alumni Band feels the same way.
That athletic program has provided many, many pleasant memories for all of us in the Alumni Band who have been privileged to play our instruments in support of them,
One of the memories that stands out regarding those Bruin gymnasts happened in 2007 – March 4th to be precise.
They were facing then-three-time defending national champion – and counting as they would win two more “nattys” – Georgia at Pauley, and it was a very hyped meet.
After UCLA pulled off the upset in ending Georgia’s long winning streak, with the Bruins jumping up and down on the floor in a group hug,
I remember reading in a recap of that meet that Miss Val gave the alumni band a shout-out for playing so well that day.
Other Bruin gymnastics memories that stand out to me while supporting them with my tenor saxophone are the spectacular floor routines performed by Sophina DeJesus, Hallie Mossett, Katelyn Ohashi, Nia Dennis, and Margzetta Frazier that went viral online and earned them interviews, props from icons like Janet Jackson, and appearances on TV shows like Ellen.
I will always remember with great fondness current Bruin standout Margzetta Frazier – “Marz” – conducting the band on numerous occasions and at the annual rehearsal.
As did Ohashi after her final presentation on the floor at Pauley during Miss Val’s final home meet in 2019, when she ran over to the band and conducted us as we played “Sons of Westwood” after she scored a perfect ten.
And even though the alumni band wasn’t there when it happened, that 2018 national championship in St. Louis that was the result of Christine Peng Peng Lee’s perfect tens on the bars and the beam is something I will always remember with much joy.
So much so that I still watch them on YouTube from time to time.
The Bruin Gymnasts with the UCLA Alumni Band at the Wooden Center, 2013. Photo courtesy of Joel Fierberg (Again, thanks Joel!)
There are tons of pleasant recollections of this idyllic partnership between those bunch of Bruins and bunch of Bruin alums that I could reminisce about,
But that would result in a post as long as War and Peace.
Instead,
I’m going to post comments and thoughts that express how special this Bruin Nation partnership has been and continues to be,
Starting with thoughts from Alumni Band president and music director Joel Fierberg:
“We are grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to support outstanding coaches and student-athletes, and to have them support us as well…we love how they treat us as part of the UCLA Gymnastics family. We’ve seen home events go from being attended by a few thousand fans to selling out Pauley Pavilion, and to be able to contribute to the electric atmosphere has been really fun. And of course, we’ve been able to witness some truly outstanding gymnastics…”
From current head coach Janelle McDonald:
“(I) love having the Alumni Band at our competitions. The energy they bring and the support of our program is something we’re grateful for.”
Former Bruin standout Hallie Mossett, who is currently an assistant coach at Stanford, had this to say:
“(I) love the alumni band, and have always appreciated the amount of support the band has for our team. (I) looked forward to the alumni band playing at our meets.”
Fellow gymnastics alum Janay Honest, an important part of the 2018 title team who now does color commentary for gymnastics meets on the Pac-12 Network, loved while in Westwood how the alumni band did so much to“…bring the most amazing energy. (I) really appreciate the Bruin love.”
Vanessa Zamarripa, a key member of the 2010 national championship squad whose 19 All-America nods are the most in program history, loved the“…unconditional support and love from everyone in the band. It’s very real and genuine, and nothing can replace it.”
Felicia “Fish” Hano, another essential part of that championship team in 2018, opins how “…the Alumni Band has been a major part of UCLA gymnastics meets. It’s really cool to see the Alumni Band come back and support us…it’s a cool feeling to have.”
Current Bruin gymnasts have likewise expressed their appreciation for this longtime relationship between team and band, Brooklyn Moors remarking how the alumni band is “…an integral part of UCLA Gymnastics, especially at home meets,” while All-American and reigning Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles – who recently thrilled the crowd at Pauley with her perfect ten on bars against Stanford – mentioned how the Alumni Band “…gives us empowerment,” during the meets.
Valorie Kondos Field – “Miss Val” – the former head coach who is the reason why this great relationship between gymnasts and band exists as she has been and is one of the alumni band’s most fervent supporters if not the most fervent supporter,
Had a comment that I particularly liked that was quite poignant:
“As they say in ‘The Little Prince’, ‘Everything that is essential is invisible to the naked eye.’ It’s the Alumni Band’s heart, it’s their soul, and the feeling of one Bruin heartbeat,”
That has been the key to what has made this friendship between these UCLA student-athletes and UCLA alums so special, of which I’m sure she would concur.
To sum this all up…
Being a part of this UCLA Alumni Band that has played for and supported this true honor to Bruin Nation for two decades,
It would have been an absolute crime to not mark and celebrate this exceptional occasion on this blog, as I don’t think I could consider myself a blogger or a writer in general if I had let this noted milestone go by.
In the twenty years that the alumni band has played for those Bruin gymnasts,
I believe it is safe to say that that bunch of Bruin alums have become the gymnastics team’s biggest fans.
To put it another way,
If there is anyone – person or group – that is a bigger fan of the UCLA Gymnastics program than the UCLA Alumni Band, I would very much like to meet them.
This twenty-year relationship between these two Bruin organizations has been, is, and remains a most enjoyable one,
One that has been and is cherished by me and everyone else involved.
May the next twenty years of this beautiful friendship be as tremendous as the first twenty years has been.
The UCLA Alumni Band with the Bruin Gymnasts, 2010. Photo courtesy of Joel Fierberg (Once again, thanks, Joel!) P.S. I’m standing fourth from right wearing a UCLA letter jacket.
UCLA’s gymnastics team after their “Meet The Bruins” event on December 15th. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
UCLA WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS – 2022 SEASON AT A GLANCE:
Final 2022 Record: 13-10
Finished 4th in the Pac-12 Championships
Finished 1st in the NCAA Raleigh Regional Second Round
Finished 3rd in the NCAA Raleigh Regional Final
Missed Nationals for the second straight year
Final National Rank: 12th
Season Average Score: 196.879
Season High Score: 198.050 vs California on March 8th
Total number of scores of 9.95 and above: 27, led by Jordan Chiles with ten
Number of perfect tens: Six, led by Jordan Chiles’ three; two on floor exercise and one on uneven parallel bars
Qualified for NCAA Championships: Norah Flatley, scoring 39.600 in the All-Around
2023 Preseason Rank: Ninth
Coach: Janelle McDonald, first season
First Meet: Saturday, January 7th at Super 16 in Las Vegas, NV vs Oklahoma, Michigan and Auburn
First Home Meet: vs Oregon State on Sunday, January 29th
Other Home Meets:
vs Arizona State on Saturday, February 11th
vs Stanford on Sunday, March 5th
vs Iowa State on Saturday, March 11th
Key Gymnasts:
Jordan Chiles (Soph):
Arguably (along with Chae Campbell) the top returning Bruin gymnast, coming fresh off a team gold medal at the 2022 World Championships in the town where the Beatles came from (Liverpool, UK). Also won a team silver medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and a floor exercise gold medal at the 2022 World Challenge Cup in Paris. As for her exploits as a Bruin, she scored three perfect tens as a freshman last season – two on the floor and one on uneven bars, scoring a 9.95 or better ten times overall. Will most likely do all-around this year, along with…
Chae Campbell (Jr):
The other top returning Bruin gymnast, earning two perfect tens on the floor and scoring 9.95 or better seven times last season. Took first team all Pac-12 and second team All-American on vault. Will be seen as one of the “go to” gymnasts along with Chiles for high scores. She’s also co-President of UCLA’s Black Student Athlete Alliance this year and has an uncle who plays for the Baltimore Ravens.
Margzetta Frazier (RS Sr):
After all that went down with the racial incident drama last year, if I had bet whether or not this charismatic standout would have returned to Westwood this season, well…let’s just say I would have lost that bet. And I would have VERY happy about that as this young lady will not only provide stellar routines on the bars and especially the floor (I saw her routine at the “Meet The Bruins” event; prepare to be wowed!), she will also provide the leadership that this team needs to move forward. Along with the rest of Bruin Nation, I’m very much looking forward to watching “Marz” in her last go-around.
FUN FACT: Margzetta is the last UCLA gymnast from the “Miss Val” – Valorie Kondos Field – era! Does anyone else besides me realize that?
Emma Malabuyo (Soph):
If it weren’t for Jordan Chiles, this Bruin would have been the team’s “Rookie of the Year” as she earned second team all Pac-12 on the balance beam and got a perfect ten on that apparatus on March 12th vs UC Davis, becoming just the fourth UCLA freshman to ever score a perfect ten in that event. Will be one of the beam specialists this year if not the beam specialist. Was an alternate on the 2020 Olympic team and a five-time U.S. National Team member.
Brooklyn Moors (Soph):
This member of Canada’s Olympic team in 2020, where she was an all-around finalist, did a good job for the Bruins on the floor, beam and vault, scoring highs of 9.90 + on the floor five straight times and highs of 9.875 on beam and 9.85 on vault. Will be counted on to provide scores at least that high this year, particularly on floor and beam.
Ana Padurariu (Soph):
A five-time Canadian National Team member, Ana did well on beam for the Bruins as she averaged a team best 9.850 in that event last season. Got a 9.80 or better on the beam in all but one meet, and along with Moors and Malabuyo will be counted on for scores of at least that high this season.
Frida Esparza (Jr):
Had a good first two years for the Bruins, scoring highs of 9.90 on the beam and 9.925 on the uneven bars – which is her favorite event – twice. Missed half of the 2022 season due to injury and didn’t compete in “Meet The Bruins”, but if she’s healthy enough will be a good contributor on bars and beam in particular as she will be needed there.
Katie McNamara (Jr):
Anyone who has done all-around for a college team, as Katie did for Washington in 2021 before transferring to Westwood, will be depended on for good scores of 9.80+ for UCLA. She’s certainly capable of doing such, earning an all-time high of 9.90 on the beam for the Huskies and was their top competitor in the Pac-12 Championships, getting an all-around score of 39.050.
Chloe Lashbrooke (Sr):
Before an Achilles injury wiped out her 2021 and 2022 seasons, this senior was one of the more dependable Bruins on the floor in particular, scoring 9.90s twice in 2020. Also did well on the vault, scoring in the 9.8 range. Now that she’s back, she’ll be needed on those two events.
Emma Andres (Sr):
Like Lashbrooke, an injury knocked her out of action in 2022, but from what I saw at the “Meet The Bruins” event, she’s back! Her best event is the floor, where she’s scored as high as 9.90. Also did well on the vault, scoring 9.825 vs Oregon State in ’21, but she’ll be needed on the floor.
Selena Harris (Fr):
The nation’s number one recruit! She’s coming off nearly sweeping the Level 10 National Championships this year, winning the all-around, vault, bars and floor while placing third on the beam. New coach McDonald is certainly off to a good start in recruitment with this new Bruin gymnast from Las Vegas!
Maddie Anyimi (Fr):
A part of this high-ranked recruiting class that McDonald has put together, Anyimi competed at the Level 10 National in 2021 and 2022. Was the vault and bars champion at the state meet last year, and will be expected to provide good scores in those events.
New UCLA women’s Gymnastics Head Coach Janelle McDonald. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Bruin gymnasts during a meet. Photo courtesy of dailybruin.com
THOUGHTS:
When I attended the annual preseaon “Meet The Bruins” event, showcasing this UCLA gymnastics team, at Pauley Pavilion last December 15th, one thought was prevalent in my mind regarding new coach McDonald and her staff…
Youthful enthusiasm.
While doing a very good job as the team looked about as good as a college gymnastics team can look in December; they made some mistakes, as teams tend to make in the preseason, but overall did quite well,
It was clearly evident that from the coaches on down, that Bruin team was having lots of fun as they performed on the vault, bars, beam and floor.
Which after the drama last season is sorely and desperately needed.
And which is the reason why the theme of this year’s team needs to be put in two words…
New Beginnings.
Which is what new coach McDonald and her staff, including husband and wife team Kyle and Autumn Graber and returning choreographer BJ Das, are a personification of, in addition to the youthful enthusiasm that they exuded at the “Meet The Bruins” event.
As for how I see those Bruins doing this season…
As has pretty much always been the case, the talent is more than there for them to achieve great things as in a conference championship – which I see them definitely being contenders for as the pundits have chosen them to finish second in the Pac-12 behind Utah – and (if injuries are avoided and things go near-perfectly) in the conversation for the “Four On The Floor” finals at Nationals in April.
Which incidentally is my official season prediction for this team; Chiles, Campbell, Frazier and Malabuyo providing the core in my opinion.
However,
The first meet will be the most ultimate illustration of baptism by fire that I’ve ever seen in a UCLA season debut.
And the ultimate throwing to both hungry wolves in the forest and starving sharks looking for blood in the deepest end of the Pacific Ocean for McDonald’s official coaching debut as the group that her Band of Bruins will be competing against in the “Super 16” event at Las Vegas’ Orleans Arena on January 7th will consist of:
Defending NCAA champion and top-ranked Oklahoma
2021 NCAA champion and fourth-ranked Michigan, and…
Fifth-ranked Auburn, who happens to have on their team the reigning Olympic all-around gold medalist in Sunisa Lee
If UCLA can get a solid overall score of 197+ that evening and go 24-for-24 with no falls, which they have a pretty good chance of getting,
I’ll be encouraged of the prospects for the rest of the season, regardless of where they place.
And so should those Bruin gymnasts.
As such,and as has always been the case since I started following this team twenty years ago (Can’t believe it’s been that long!)…
I am very much looking forward to watching this favorite team of mine at Pauley this year.
And I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how McDonald’s first season not only as the UCLA coach, but as a head coach – this is her first job as such as she was previously an assistant at Cal, where she was honored as the WCGA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year the past two seasons – unfolds and works out.
Of course it should go without saying that I wish her absolutely nothing but the best.
And as always and most importantly, I pray that the team stays healthy.
Posing in front of the Bruin Bear statue and flashing the “4sUp” hand sign on campus. Photo courtesy of twitter.com
Everyone is evidently excited about this new hire who has been chosen to lead the UCLA Gymnastics team back to elite status.
I won’t lie; I preferred that athletic director Martin Jarmond would have hired someone who, if not an outright alum, had previous UCLA Gymnastics ties because I firmly felt that those Bruin Gymnasts needed someone who understood UCLA and Bruin Nation.
In other words, I would have preferred to not have any outsiders lead that program.
But you know what?
Jarmond, who graduated from UNC Charlotte and whose athletic administration experience involved strictly schools from east of the Mississippi River, was as much of an outsider to UCLA as one can get.
And except for a few bumps in the road, he has done quite well as the head of Bruin Athletics.
Which is why I’m perfectly willing to give McDonald – who comes to Westwood from Cal where she was an assistant coach to the Bears’ gymnastic program and was twice voted Regional Assistant Coach of the year while at Berkeley – a chance as apparently the powers at the Morgan Center who were doing the interviewing and hiring wanted to make a completely fresh start.
From what I’ve gathered on Twitter, she seems to have much kindness, enthusiasm, and positive energy and is “…excited to continue the legacy,” of what Valorie Kondos Field started and left.
Which is certainly a plus.
Along with her desire to, according to Sam Settleman of UCLA’s Daily Bruin, “…emphasize the well-being of her students.”
Which considering the troubles of this past season – the preseason racial incident in particular – is a definite plus.
While she of course can hire whoever she wants to be on her staff,
It would be great if at least one UCLA gymnastics alum came back to Westwood as one of her assistants;
Former standouts like Kyla Ross, Felicia “Fish” Hano, Gracie Kramer and Hallie Mossett either are or were assistants at various schools, and I’m sure they would jump at the chance to come home and help rebuild a program in which they were such a significant part of.
Just something to think about.
It goes without saying that the next few weeks will be very interesting as far as who will be on her coaching staff and what the actual culture will be out of the gate.
There’s healing to be done and improvement needed on the performances on the various apparatuses in order to achieve what Bruin Nation demands,
A return to the nation’s elite in women’s college gymnastics, starting with a return to Nationals as back-to-back years of coming up short in Regionals and staying home is absolutely unacceptable.
Like I said, I’m perfectly happy to give her a chance.
And – particularly after I read on Twitter how kind and enthusiastic she is – I am confident that she will get the nuances of UCLA and the Bruin Nation, what it takes to be a Bruin and what being a Bruin means, quickly.
And do well as the program’s fifth head coach in their history.
Of course I join my fellow Bruins in welcoming Janelle McDonald to Westwood.
And I pray that her tenure at UCLA is a most successful one with national championships galore.
After all the turmoil that this UCLA team went through with the racial incident in particular, where the Bruin gymnasts of color felt that their head coach didn’t have their back the way he needed to and were very upset about it,
And after back-to-back seasons of not making Nationals after sixteen straight years of doing so,
I’m not surprised that Chris Waller has decided to call it quits after three seasons at the helm, taking over from Valorie Kondos Field – “Miss Val” – after the 2019 season.
After everything that went on, a change in this program and the culture of this program was certainly needed.
And I think Chris realized such in handing in his resignation.
Which I see as Step One in the healing and rebuilding process.
Now, let us chat about the extremely important Step Two…
WHO SHOULD BE HIRED AS THE NEXT HEAD COACH OF UCLA WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS?
Before I name my top choices to replace Chris;
That is, if I were doing the hiring,
I would like to state one non-negotiable stipulation that I would adhere to;
NO OUTSIDERS.
After everything that those Bruin Gymnasts have been through in the past couple of years, and especially this year,
What they sorely and desperately need is someone who, first and foremost, GETS UCLA.
Someone who, if not an actual alum,
Has ties to UCLA Gymnastics in some form, like having worked as an assistant (i.e., Randy Lane, who is now the head coach at Long Island University).
Yes, I know that athletic director Martin Jarmond was an outsider with no ties to Bruin Nation, who is working out pretty well.
But this is a different situation.
This UCLA Women’s Gymnastics program needs someone who gets it.
Who gets Bruin Nation and what being a Bruin is all about, as opposed to someone who needs to learn the ways of Bruin Nation.
Which would take that much longer for the healing and rebuilding process to occur.
Which is why though I wouldn’t voice it, my attitude for hiring the new coach would be,
OUTSIDERS – THOSE WITH NO TIES TO UCLA WHATSOEVER – NEED NOT APPLY.
BECAUSE THEY DON’T GET UCLA.
OK, here are my top two choices to replace Chris Waller as the UCLA Women’s Gymnastics Coach:
Amy Smith, the coach at Utah State. My number one choice because she has experience, having finished her fifth year as the head coach of those Aggies from Logan. Plus (and a BIG plus) she’s a Bruin alum as she was on the first national championship team in 1997. In other words, Amy gets UCLA and the Bruin Nation.
Jordyn Wieber, the coach at Arkansas who was such a big part of Bruin Gymnastics and their success this past decade as a volunteer and an official assistant coach. The only reason why she’s my number two choice is because of her three years as head coach of the Razorbacks; Amy at Utah State has more head coaching experience. However, that does NOT mean I wouldn’t be glad to see Jordyn get hired to come home to Westwood as with her Olympic Gold medal won in 2012, she would instantly attract top recruits. Plus with her age being under thirty, she would be better able to relate to the young gymnasts. And she would likely bring two other prominent and beloved Bruins, Felicia “Fish” Hano and Kyla Ross (who are her assistants in Fayetteville), back home with her.
Having given this a little thought just now,
I reckon if I were hiring the next UCLA Gymnastics coach and wanted someone who’s a little more experienced and proven, I’d go with Amy.
If I wanted someone who’s a bit younger and would grow with the team and the program, I’d go with Jordyn.
At the end of the day, however, it all comes down to this big question:
Would Amy and Jordyn WANT to come home to Westwood?
Because we need to remember the significant elephant in the room as far as this important hiring…
Money.
Yen.
Dinero.
Everyone in the universe knows that the cost of living in Los Angeles is MUCH more than in Logan, UT or Fayetteville, AR.
And with the UCLA Athletic Department being $62.5 million in debt,
I doubt that Jarmond and his associate athletic directors would be able to pay the new coach as big of a salary as they would like to.
The bottom line here is,
This is perhaps the most important hiring in the history of this gymnastics program;
A program that very much needs healing and a righting of the ship as far as culture right now.
The right person (READ: Someone with UCLA gymnastics ties if not an outright alum – NO OUTSIDERS!) would fix that team, immensely improve their culture, and return those Bruins to where they belong,
Among the elite programs in women’s college gymnastics.
Which at the end of the day is what I and I’m sure the rest of Bruin Nation wants.
It goes without saying that I will be extremely interested in who will be chosen.
UPDATE:
It’s been reported that Amy Smith has been hired as the head coach at Clemson.
Which considering what I’ve read about so many gymnasts transferring out of Utah State because of the way Amy allegedly treated them,
I’m glad she’s not going to come home to Westwood.
It looks like Jordyn’s my number one choice now.
BY THE WAY: I still don’t want any outsiders to take over the Bruin Gymnastics program. The new coach needs to have UCLA ties if not be an actual alum, because such new coach needs to GET UCLA and the Bruin Nation.
THOUGHTS ON THE RECENT SHOCKING EVENTS IN MY ALMA MATER’S GYMNASTICS PROGRAM
The Los Angeles Times has written an article about this.
The Daily Bruin, UCLA’s student newspaper, has written about this.
It has been all over online sites like Twitter and Bruin Report Online.
And now, I am going to offer my reckonings about what has been happening with UCLA’s gymnastics program.
First off, in case you had not heard, from my understanding…
According to sources,
A few months ago Alexis Jeffery, a freshman on the Bruin gymnastics program, uttered some brutally bigoted racial epithets, i.e., the “N” word as well as anti-Asian slurs, during a practice.
Her teammates asked her to stop, but not only did she not do such, she refused to apologize for her offending UCLA’s black gymnasts and the other Bruin gymnasts of color, expressing her opinion that she didn’t do anything wrong.
When the rest of the team went to head coach Chris Waller to report what had occurred, that’s when it really hit the fan as while I won’t go into details here – outside of Jeffery ultimately transferring to LSU – due to such details having already been covered elsewhere,
Let’s just say that the situation didn’t come close to being handled the way in my view it should have.
Which resulted in much tension between the team, the coaching staff, and the athletic department over the ensuing months as when the team and athletic director Martin Jarmond met over this issue, though Jarmond later released a statement describing what UCLA Athletics is doing to resolve this, the gymnasts were unsatisfied with what ultimately resulted from that meeting.
Margzetta Frazier, a senior and one of the leaders on the team, was particularly vocal and outspoken, saying that if things didn’t change she was “out of there”.
As was fellow senior Norah Flatley, who implored the athletic department to meet with the team in a Twitter post.
And senior Sekai Wright, who expressed how differently she was treated during an incident (which I likewise won’t go into detail as it has already been described elsewhere) compared to Jeffery’s situation in what she felt was a microagression.
When I first heard about all of this online, two feelings were obviously prominent;
SHOCK, and…
SADNESS
To say that I was shocked at what went down with a team that is known throughout the collegiate sports universe as one who prides itself on and celebrates their diversity in a sport that has been known to be dominated by whites for pretty much its entire history,
Was a pronounced understatement.
Particularly being that this incident and subsequent tensions stemming from such happened at a school that is known for producing athletes that went on to not only be stars and legends in whatever sport they played,
They also took stands against racial injustice and made a significant impact in this country as far as civil rights and doing what they could to make things completely equal and fair to not just African Americans, but to all people of color.
I’ll just name three examples…
Arthur Ashe – The tennis legend who was the first African-American to win the men’s singles championship at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open, who also worked to end apartheid in South Africa
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – The NBA’s all-time leading scorer and Laker legend, who while starring for John Wooden’s dynastic Bruins in 1968 took a stand against racism by refusing to play for the U.S. team for the Olympics in Mexico City in 1968
Jackie Robinson – Not only by what he did on April 15, 1947 (I REALLY don’t think I have to spell it out, do I?), but by what he did afterward as he went on Civil Rights marches and was a HUGE advocate and agitator for racial justice, as well as an entrepreneur in starting black-owned businesses to build economic wealth in the African-American community
To say that I was saddened by what happened to those Bruin Gymnasts is likewise an understatement;
This is a team that I have very much enjoyed watching and supporting for nearly twenty years, and to think that any racist incidents would ensue after the influence of the 29-year career of coach Valorie Kondos Field was mind blowing to me.
Fast forward to UCLA’s most recent meet at Pauley Pavilion vs Arizona on January 30th…
Being Black myself,
It went without saying that I was going to be at that meet to show my support to the gymnasts during what I’m sure was and is a trying time for them.
Which was why I wore a zip-up hooded sweatshirt saying “Black Lives Matter” that I received this past Christmas to the meet and carried a plastic water bottle with that saying.
One thing that I was impressed of that afternoon was how, after reading about all of the tensions within that team, that they were still able to focus on the meet and have a good time as I saw a video of them hitting a volleyball and seeing how long they could keep it off the ground during their initial warm-ups;
Especially after they did so badly in their first meet in Minneapolis vs Minnesota and Iowa, turning in their lowest team score in seven years.
I liked the black armbands that they all wore on the sleeves of their warm-up jackets in solidarity to their BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People Of Color) teammates.
And even though there were folks carrying signs saying “Fire Chris Waller” and “They Deserve Better” outside,
I liked how their performance was better than their previous two meets, scoring a season-high (so far) 196.400 in beating Arizona by a comfortable margin, Norah Flatley having a good meet in particular in winning the all-around with a career-best score of 39.450.
While I was at the meet, doing my duties playing my tenor saxophone with the UCLA Alumni Band, who has been playing at the meets and supporting the Bruin gymnasts since 2003,
I couldn’t help thinking about how what the Black Bruin gymnasts were going through reminded me of what I went through during my days at UCLA as when I look back,
I realize that there were a few of what I felt were incidents of microaggression with a few of my fellow members of the UCLA Marching Band during my last year there.
I won’t go into any real details, but even though no one called me the “N” word I was able to relate and sympathize with Margzetta, Sekai and the other Bruin gymnasts of color that much more due to what I went through, the feeling that I was seen as somewhat of a “lesser” and wasn’t treated with complete equality and fairness by a few people.
In other words, I certainly understand how they felt and feel.
And in stating the extremely obvious, I am very sympathetic to them and their situation.
To avoid any more rambling, I’ll go ahead and make this statement to any of those UCLA gymnasts who might be reading this…
WHILE I CAN’T SPEAK FOR ANYONE ELSE,
I DEFINITELY, 100% SUPPORT YOU.
I CAN’T BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW SORRY I AM THAT YOU EXPERIENCED THIS.
THE ONLY THING I CAN ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO IS TO STAY STRONG,
AND KNOW THAT I AND I’M SURE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE YOUR BACK.
I’m especially looking forward to how this issue will play out over the course of the season;
Will the tensions continue at a certain level, or will there be some sort of understanding and reconciliation?
UCLA WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS – A LOOK BACK AT THE 2021 SEASON:
Final Regular Season Record: 14-7
Finished third in the Pac-12 Conference between Utah and California
Finished second in the NCAA Regional Semifinals behind Michigan
Finished third in the NCAA Regional Finals behind Michigan and California
Final National Rank: 12th
Season Average Score: 196.667
Season High Score: 197.275 at the NCAA Regional Finals on April 3rd
Total number of scores at 9.95 or above: 15, led by Margzetta Frazier with five on the uneven parallel bars
2021 Pac-12 Individual Champions / Honors:
Margzetta Frazier: BARS CHAMPION
Sekai Wright: VAULT CHAMPION
Chae Campbell and Pauline Tratz: CO-FLOOR EXERCISE CHAMPIONS
Chae Campbell: FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Pauline Tratz: SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Qualified for 2021 NCAA Championships:
Chae Campbell – ALL AROUND
Nia Dennis – VAULT
Margzetta Frazier – BARS
2022 Preseason National Rank: 8th
Coach: Chris Waller, 3rd season
First Meet: at Minnesota – Monday, January 17th, at 10:00 a.m.
First Home Meet: vs Arizona – Sunday, January 30, at 2:00 p.m.
Key Home Meets:
Friday, February 4th vs Utah, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 6th vs California, 12 noon
Key Gymnasts (and it’s a long list):
Margzetta Frazier (Sr): The 2021 Pac-12 champion on bars, qualifying for Nationals on that event. Her floor routine, featuring the music of Janet Jackson, was one of two (along with Nia Dennis’) to go viral as it earned her appearances on Good Morning America, Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight. Co-founded the Black Student-Athlete Alliance. A charismatic character who will be one of the leaders on the team this year. Has all-time highs of 9.95 on bars and floor.
Norah Flatley (Sr): Her injured ankle during warm-ups before the first meet last year, resulting in her competing in only the last three meets, was a big factor in the Bruins’ (somewhat) disappointing season results as though she is strong in all four events, her prowess on beam and bars, where she has scored a near perfect 9.975, is sorely needed.
Pauline Tratz (Sr): The reigning Pac-12 Co-Floor champion along with Chae Campbell and (more importantly) the 2021 Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year and a Scholastic All-American for three straight years. Very strong on the vault and the floor, where she has scored a 9.95 four different times.
Samantha Sakti (Sr): Beam specialist, scored a 9.95 in her first Bruin performance at the 2020 Collegiate Challenge after transferring from William and Mary. Made first team all Pac-12 in that event last season.
Sekai Wright (Sr): The reigning Pac-12 vault champion, she has scored as high as 9.95 in that event. Though she will be desperately needed on the vault, she’s also strong on the floor, scoring a 9.875 on four separate occasions.
Kendal Poston (Sr): Another three time Scholastic All-American, her specialties are the vault and beam, where she scored as high as 9.875 in those events last season, and has a career high of 9.90. Has made the Director’s Honor Roll every quarter at UCLA, and she will be sorely needed on vault and beam this year.
Sara Taubman (Sr): After working SO hard for two years, Sara finally got her chance to perform in the Bruins’ first meet last season. And with a score of 9.825 on the bars, she didn’t disappoint. Like Kendal, she has made the Director’s Honor Roll every quarter.
Chloe Lashbrooke (Jr): Along with Flatley’s injury, Chloe’s torn Achilles tendon last year cost her the entire 2021 season and hurt the Bruins’ chances. Is solid on vault and floor with high scores of 9.825 and 9.90 respectively; she will be needed in those events.
Emma Andres (Jr): A floor specialist, scoring as high as 9.90 during her time in Westwood, she will be counted on in that event. Also scored a high of 9.825 on the vault last season.
Chae Campbell (Soph): The reigning Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year. The reigning Pac-12 co-Floor champion. Qualified for Nationals in the all-around, where she scored a 9.925 on the beam. A three-time All-American on beam, floor, and the all-around. Had high scores of 9.95 on the vault and floor. Was undoubtedly the Rookie of the Year for this team and the nation, and will be particularly counted upon.
Frida Esparza (Soph): A solid performer on bars and beam, she scored highs of 9.925 and 9.90 in those events respectively. Won the Mexican national all-around and bars in 2018.
Katie McNamara (Soph): A transfer from Washington, where she was their all-arounder, I was impressed with her performance on the beam at the Meet The Bruins event in December; she scored a high of 9.90 on that apparatus as a Husky, and she will be needed there.
Jordan Chiles (Fr): The jewel of what’s considered one of the Bruins’ best recruiting classes ever if not THE best, having won the team silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year. Was on the U.S. National Team for eight years. Won the all-around at the 2021 U.S. Championships. Arrived at UCLA after doing a post-Olympics tour and didn’t miss a step, impressing at the Meet The Bruins event.
Emma Malabuyo (Fr): Was an alternate for the Olympic Team in Tokyo. A five-time member of the U.S. National Team. Favorite event is uneven bars, and she won the floor exercise at the 2017 International Junior Gymnastics Competition.
Brooklyn Moors (Fr): A member of Canada’s 2020 Olympic team, she redshirted from the Bruins last year to prepare for those Tokyo Games, where she was a finalist in the all-around. Was an all-around and floor finalist in three straight World Championships from 2017-19.
Ana Padurariu (Fr): Was a Canadian National Team member for five years, from 2015-2020. An apparent beam specialist, winning the silver medal in that event at Worlds in 2018 and qualifying for the finals in that event in 2019.
THOUGHTS:
I’m really praying three specific prayers for this team this year…
That none of them tests positive for COVID-19 again and is forced to go into protocol
That the COVID-19 Omicron variant outbreak restrictions that UCLA is currently imposing at their indoor sporting events, limiting spectators at Pauley Pavilion and the Wooden Center to family members, are lifted by their first home meet on January 30th due to (HOPEFULLY) the number of cases lessening, and…
That everyone stays healthy and doesn’t go down to some injury
After only seeing those Bruin Gymnasts through live stream last year with only a cardboard cutout of me at the meets,
While I – along with the UCLA Alumni Band, which I’m a part of – had a great time at the recent Meet The Bruins event due to getting to see that team in person for the first time in nearly two years,
It would be crushing if the fans (except for relatives) were banned from seeing this honor to Bruin Nation in Pauley this season.
There is concern in that area as they, along with all but one of the other six teams as it turned out, were forced to pull out of the Collegiate Challenge in Anaheim on January 8th, which ultimately got cancelled, due to apparently at least some of the Bruin gymnasts testing positive.
However,
I am confident that things will turn out OK and Chris Waller’s team will be able to compete, starting this coming Sunday in Minneapolis against Minnesota.
The BIG thing that needs improvement from last season,
The thing that, along with the injuries to Flatley and Lashbrooke, was the main factor in UCLA missing the Nationals for the first time in sixteen years, making 2021 the most disappointing in that span,
Which desperately needs to improve if those Bruin gymnasts are to return to their rightful place in Fort Worth, TX with a shot at winning their eighth national championship this coming April,
Is the balance beam, as fall after fall occurred on that four-inch wide and four-foot high off the ground piece of wood.
The talent is there for the scores to improve; it’s a matter of better execution.
Granted,
As I had stated in the wrap-up post I did for this team last year, you don’t lose nine seniors, among them two Olympic gold medal winners, with one of them being probably the greatest UCLA gymnast of all time with perfect tens galore throughout her time in Westwood (For those who may not know, I’m talking about Kyla Ross),
And not have it affect you in some kind of negative way.
And to be honest, those Bruins did miss Kyla, fellow Olympic Gold medalist Madison Kocian, Felicia “Fish” Hano, Gracie Kramer, Grace Glenn, and the rest of that wonderful class last season.
They’ll have no such excuses this season.
They have a freshman class that’s considered by many to be their best ever.
And as is always the case, the talent they have is top-notch whose capabilities are more than enough to see the results – winning the Pac-12 and the Regionals and going to the finals at Nationals – that they have been used to for seemingly forever.
The key for this team’s success this year, along with everyone making good contributions and better execution on the beam in particular?
I’ve said this every year since I began covering this program, and this has been my solid belief ever since I started watching this team nearly twenty years ago.
In a word…
Health.
Like I was telling people at the Meet the Bruins event,
If those Bruin gymnasts stay healthy with no one going down, their chances of going to the finals at Nationals will be very good.
If someone who’s a key member goes down like Flatley did last year, they’ll be in trouble as every year that someone went down for a long length of time or the season was a year that UCLA didn’t win the NCAA title.
While the years that those Bruins did win it all were the years that they stayed healthy.
As such,
Provided that this Omicron outbreak eases up,
I’m very much looking forward to seeing this bunch of Bruins, who remain my favorite team in the sports universe, at Pauley,
Because since 2003, when I and the rest of the Alumni Band began playing at their meets, I’ve had nothing but fun and good times supporting this program of my alma mater’s.
My fingers are certainly crossed for the possibility of those restrictions lifting.
A LONG AWAITED REUNION WITH UCLA’S ICONIC ARENA AND THE UCLA GYMNASTICS PROGRAM
This past Friday, on December 17th, I did something that I hadn’t done in exactly 649 days…
I visited the campus of my collegiate alma mater, UCLA.
But more than that,
I visited Pauley Pavilion, the on-campus arena that has been home to countless champions in basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics.
And speaking of gymnastics – and much more than just being at UCLA and visiting Pauley,
I saw in person a Bruin team that for several years I considered my favorite in the sports universe,
A team that I missed watching in the flesh and missed being at their events…
The UCLA Women’s Gymnastics Team, as they were holding a “Meet The Bruins” pre-season event.
After doing some Christmas shopping at the UCLA Store at the Ackerman Student Union and buying some things for my family and friends, as well as grab a bite to eat,
I headed to Pauley, noticing that the only thing that had changed was the fact that the Intramural field was closed due to flooding.
I sat on a bench in front of Pauley taking everything in as a full moon was rising, feeling good that I was able to return to campus after having been gone for so long due to this ongoing and (seemingly) never-ending COVID-19 pandemic.
After chilling for about a half-hour, and running into an old friend, I headed inside of Pauley with the stuff I bought at Ackerman and my tenor saxophone as part of the UCLA Alumni Band, who has played at the Bruin gymnastics events for nearly twenty years,
For a long-awaited reunion with the team that I have considered an honor to Bruin Nation for years.
Highlights from the “Meet The Bruins” event, courtesy of YouTube (click on the link)
The reunion didn’t disappoint as it was great seeing everyone again, head coach Chris Waller giving me a fist bump and a hug hello while I was able to show associate head coach Kristina Comforte, who was a Bruin gymnast from 2006-2009, a photo that was taken of the team with the Alumni Band back in 2007, which she got a kick out of.
I hung around saying hello to different people and a few members of the team, telling them that the one opponent that they needed to get vengeance for last season was Cal, who beat the Bruins three times last season.
After a little while I greeted my alumni band mates who were coming in, went to the bathroom to change into my band shirt, and put together my sax and warmed up for the Meet The Bruins event – which was essentially a glorified intrasquad meet with the team dividing into two squads and competing against each other.
Even though only about 1,000 fans showed up, being that it was a Friday night, I know the gymnasts were excited to be performing in front of any kind of crowd for the first time since March 8, 2020.
And while I can’t speak for anyone else, I was happy to be there playing my horn and supporting that team for the first time since that same date.
The big highlight for me personally was something that I started a couple of years before during the meets;
After the Bruin gymnasts finish with the uneven bars and as they head over to the balance beam, where the Alumni Band (and I) sit by, I go in front of the band and lead a loud eight-clap cheer to show the team that we support them.
Which I did that night, and which the athletes loved as they did the eight-clap along with us, with some of them giving heart signs and shouting, “We love you, band!”
One of them, Paige Hogan, even came over to greet us!
As did Chris Waller before the event.
As for how those gymnasts performed…
Many of them did quite well, but I never base a team’s ability for the upcoming season or do any predictions of how they will do from watching a pre-season meet.
There were a couple of falls on the beam, where they struggled mightily last season.
But there were also some good performances on that apparatus, along with the bars, the vault, and the floor exercise, or the “Floor Party” as the Bruin gymnasts call it.
My overall assessment was this…
While they’re not where they need to be at the moment, that’s OK as it’s only December. And in many ways they’re not where they were this past spring, which is good.
In a couple of weeks, after the new year,
I’ll have my full preview of this gymnastics team and how I see things unfolding for them, so be sure to check out this blog for that.
In the meantime, while I certainly had a great time at Pauley that Friday night,
My one big hope and prayer for those UCLA student-athletes is this,
That none of them gets a positive test for COVID-19 and are subsequently forced to miss and cancel meets.