• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Photo

Yvonne Tousek performs on the beam during the Bruin Classic.

The UCLA gymnastics team has experienced its first real setback of the year – a loss.

For most teams, a loss helps reestablish competitive spirit and goals, but this one against No. 13 Oregon State left the Bruins (6-1) unable to achieve one of their season-long objectives – an undefeated record.

“The focus hasn’t shifted,” head coach Valorie Kondos Field said. “We’re still going to try to remain undefeated from here on out.”

The No. 5 Bruins host Arkansas (0-3) this Sunday in Pauley Pavilion. The Razorbacks are in their first year of collegiate competition, coached by Mark Cook, a former UCLA assistant coach from 1995-97. Cook helped lead the Bruins to their first NCAA title in 1997, and he also knows that the Bruins are difficult to beat at home.

Kondos Field is confident in her team’s ability to rebound from last week’s upset.

“We’re going to go all out (against Arkansas). Our fans deserve to see the best gymnasts compete,” she said. “We had a tough time on beam last week and hopefully we can gain a sense of conquering that event.”

The Bruins had already beaten Oregon State in their season opener before last Friday’s loss. A change in lineup seemed to alter the rhythm of the nation’s then top-ranked team and a disappointing final rotation on beam resulted in a 195.75-195.475 upset.

Freshman assistant coach Chris Waller covered for Kondos Field in Corvallis. Earlier this year, Waller coached the team to a big win at Utah. Expecting a lot out of himself and the team, he believes that there is no excuse for the loss.

“We did a solid job in the first three events, but when it came down to the last event – the beam – we overcompensated and ended up doing poorly,” he said. “A change in the lineup on beam would have been better.”

Interestingly enough, the beam has been the Bruins’ best event this season. Despite a rather low 48.1 team score last Friday on beam, the team has averaged 49.145 this year, one of the best in the country.

Last season’s NCAA all-around, floor and bars champion, Jamie Dantzscher recognizes that there are some aspects of beam competition than cannot be perfected in the practice gym.

“It’s always tough to end on beam,” Dantzscher said. “It is the hardest event to compete. You can’t let your nerves get to you. You’ve got to face the extra pressure.”

Comments

Post a comment