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Gymnastics triumphs in triple meet

Junior Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs won the all-around to lead UCLA on Sunday.

By Patricia Lee

Feb. 28, 2011 2:39 a.m.

Inspiration can produce the best performances and works of art.

Just as Picasso’s many muses inspired his painting styles, the emotional final basketball game that took place at Pauley Pavilion the day before inspired the UCLA gymnastics team.

The No. 9 Bruins took first at the triple meet against No. 12 Denver and No. 21 Minnesota. The Bruins scored 196.650, Minnesota took second with 194.475, and Denver took third with 193.850.

The Bruins started off relatively slow on the vault, but got back on track with the team’s season-high score on the uneven bars with a 49.325 led by a career-high 9.925 from freshman Samantha Peszek, who competed at just her third meet this year.

“I woke up feeling like it was going to be a great day,” Peszek said. “I feel like we were inspired by the basketball game and the girls cheering each other on. At first playing at Pauley was intimidating, but since I started competing, I just want to add to the history and be a part of it.”

The Bruins earned most of their points from the bars and the floor exercise, the latter of which was led by a 9.925 from junior Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs, who won the all-around with a score of 39.5.

“I wasn’t thinking about my all-around,” said Hopfner-Hibbs. “I’m just here to help the team win the national title. If I end up winning the all-around, it’s a bonus.”

Once the Bruins took the lead from Minnesota, they never looked back. Denver did not even come close to the lead once.

Coach Valorie Kondos Field was not impressed with the Bruins’ victory. Though one of the worst moments for the Bruins was when sophomore Monique De La Torre went down with an injury during her floor routine, Kondos Field said that her team did not perform up to par.

“We felt flat all night,” Kondos Field said. “We did not practice as much this week because the girls really needed a break.”
UCLA still scored better than their season average of 195.805.

Though the basketball team will never play on the floor at the original Pauley Pavilion ever again, the gymnastics team still has one home meet and the Pac-10 Championships left. The Bruins can stretch their time in the historic venue and use it as an inspiration for the rest of their meets at home.

“(Saturday’s) game was inspirational and emotional,” Kondos Field said. “Our senior meet is next week. We have six seniors who love Pauley, and it’s going to be emotional.”

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