Losing two key performers before a gymnastics meet is one ingredient in a recipe for disaster. When an accomplished star and marquee name falls during her strongest event, that’s the second ingredient. Read more...

Photo: Junior JaNay Honest was only slated to perform on the uneven bars, but she was forced into action on the vault and floor exercise after injuries to several of her teammates. (Jintak Han/Assistant Photo editor)

First meets are good barometers, especially for a team with 10 new freshmen. The collegiate atmosphere proved to be an obstacle. “We weren’t prepared for the crowd and how amped up everyone was going to be, and I think we didn’t know how to channel that energy to help improve our gymnastics,” said freshman Felicia Hano, who is slated for vault and floor. Read more...

Photo: In the season-opening meet against then-No. 14 Arkansas, freshman Felicia Hano scored a 9.825 on the vault, but recorded a meet-low 9.050 on the floor exercise after falling during a pass. (Jintak Han/Assistant Photo editor)

It looked like the perfect opening night. A sweep of the individual and all-around titles, an NCAA first when two Olympic gold medalists competed at Pauley Pavilion and a 195.700-195.350 win for No. Read more...

Photo: Freshman Madison Kocian, along with her teammate freshman Kyla Ross, became the first Olympic gold medalists in history to compete in NCAA gymnastics. (Jintak Han/Assistant Photo editor)

Two Olympic gold medalists, a former USA national team member and multiple Level 10 standouts. That’s just part of the UCLA gymnastics freshmen class. The fourth-ranked defending Pac-12 champions, coming off a fifth-place finish at last year’s NCAA championship, will usher in their fresh talent beginning Saturday against No. Read more...

Photo: Sophomore Madison Preston, last year’s NCAA Regional vault co-champion, is one of UCLA’s several talented underclassmen. (Daily Bruin file photo)