Injury free
UCLA will head into regional competition in Missouri with a
starting lineup free of serious injuries.
“We’re looking good,” head coach Valorie
Kondos Field said. “Everyone is good to go.”
That includes standout Jamie Dantzscher, who missed the Pac-10
championships because of a sinus infection. Despite
Dantzscher’s absence, UCLA won the meet. In addition, Onnie
Willis, this year’s Pac-10 Gymnast of the Year, has used the
time off after the Pac-10s to rest a tender ankle and is expected
to be ready to go by April 12.
Because of the team’s quality practices, Kondos Field is
able to give them more time off during which each gymnast can tend
to their individual aches and pains.
Missouri misery
Because of the strong performance of Washington at the Pac-10
championships (196.750, fourth place to UCLA’s 198.175), UCLA
will be forced to travel to Missouri to compete in the regional
competition rather than staying on the West Coast to compete in
Seattle.
Washington performed so well that they advanced to No. 11 in the
nation after the meet. The way the regional pairings work, the
number one seed will face the numbers 12 and 13 seeds, the No. 2
seed faces the 11 and 14 seeds, and the No. 3 seed faces the 10 and
15 seeds. Washington natives Onnie Willis and Carly Raab, who have
friends and family in the Seattle area, are especially frustrated
by the meet’s location.
Holly-lu-ya
Freshman Holly Murdock has been working on a new vault for the
past two weeks, and is finally starting to hit it with some
consistency. The new vault, called a Yurchenko layout full, is
performed by several other UCLA gymnasts, but is not usually
learned as quickly. What took Murdock two weeks to learn takes most
gymnasts two years
“It’s really cool,” she said. “I really
enjoy doing this vault.” Murdock stepped in at Pac-10s with a
different vault ““ one she landed on a hard surface only two
days before the meet. Will we see the new vault at the regional or
national meets?
“Who knows?” Kondos Field said.
Streaky Bruins
Jeanette Antolin has had a streaky showing on vault while at
UCLA. The streak she holds is two-fold. First, Antolin has landed
every single vault she has ever competed for the Bruins. She has
also won the vault in five consecutive meets.
Jamie Dantzscher is still undefeated on floor, winning 18
consecutive times dating back to last season.
Dantzscher has also hit every routine she has competed this
year, compiling a perfect 28-28 record. Teammate Onnie Willis has
an identical success rate on her routines, going 41-41 thus
far.
Notebook compiled by Eli Karon, Daily Bruin Staff.