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Bruin Nation, Bruins, Gymnastics, NCAA, Pac-12 Conference, Pauley Pavilion, Super Six, UCLA, UCLA Bruins, UCLA Community, UCLA Women's Gymnastics, University of California Los Angeles, Westwood, women's gymnastics
The Bruin gymnasts celebrating their finish at the Super Six. Photo courtesy of uclabruins.com
UCLA BRUIN GYMNASTICS – 2017 AT A GLANCE
* Finished in a tie for third at the Pac-12 Championships with a score of 197.100
* Won the NCAA Champaign (IL) Regional with a score of 196.800
* Finished second in the NCAA Semifinals with a score of 196.800
* Finished fourth in the NCAA Super Six with a score of 197.2625
* Earned TEN perfect tens – Kyla Ross with four, Christine Peng Peng Lee with three, Katelyn Ohashi with two and Madison Kocian with one.
* Set a single meet home attendance record against California on March 5th with a crowd of 12,576
Final Overall Record: 24-8-1
Kyla Ross capping an OUTSTANDING year with this floor routine. Photo courtesy of dailybruin.com
A Few Thoughts:
I knew when the Bruins signed those two Olympic gold medal winners that this season would be an exciting one.
And they did not disappoint as I had the privilege of viewing eight of the ten perfect tens that those gymnasts excited the crowds at Pauley Pavilion and Bruin Nation with.
OK, so they didn’t win their 7th national championship (and the school’s nation-leading 114th).
The biggest highlight for the Bruins in the NCAA Super Six: Christine Peng Peng Lee’s perfect ten on the balance beam. Courtesy of YouTube.
Another big highlight for UCLA in St. Louis: Katelyn Ohashi’s 9.95 on the beam. Courtesy of YouTube.
But UCLA’s fourth place finish is an obvious improvement over last year’s 5th place finish.
And a clear sign that the team is making very good progress, to the point that with Ross, Kocian, Ohashi, and other standouts like Stella Savvidou, Janay Honest, Madison Preston, Sonya Meraz, and Napulani Hall returning (and maybe Lee if the NCAA grants her a sixth year of eligibility),
A national title should not be unexpected within the next few years.
Madison Kocian getting some encouragement before a routine. Photo courtesy of dailybruin.com
On a personal note, this team is pretty much the only one where I feel sad when the season ends, because they provide so much enjoyment.
It should certainly go without saying that I am very much looking forward to next season.
As should the rest of Bruin Nation, who needs to be proud of these athletes for the way they represent the UCLA community.
Being that they represent my alma mater, I certainly am proud.
Until next January, Bruin gymnasts…
Hallie Mossett in the midst of her dynamic floor routine during the Super Six. Photo courtesy of dailybruin.com
