Bruins dominate events at 24th UCLA Invitational

1. UCLA 196.725 2. UW 194.675 3. Fullerton
194.575 4. Arizona 194.40

By Eli Karon
Daily Bruin Contributor

The top-ranked UCLA women’s gymnastics team did what the
football and men’s basketball teams have failed to do: send
their fans home with Krispy Kreme donuts and a victory.

Freshman Jamie Dantzscher had a perfect 10 on the bars, sending
each fan home with a coupon for a half dozen Krispy Kreme donuts.
The promotional giveaway guarantees each fan a coupon if a Bruin
gymnast achieves a perfect 10 on any routine.

Dantzscher’s perfect score was her second on the uneven
bars, and fourth overall. She is now tied with senior Mohini
Bhardwaj for most career 10s.

The Bruins won the 24th annual UCLA Invitational with a team
score of 196.725. The quadrangular meet also featured Washington
(194.675), Cal State Fullerton (194.575) and Arizona (194.400). The
Bruins dominated in every aspect of the meet, winning each
individual event.

Sophomore Onnie Willis stole the show, setting the meet record
in the all-around competition with a 39.600, despite competing in
the event for the first time all year. Willis punctuated her
performance with a personal best on both the balance beam (9.850)
and the floor exercise (9.950).

“I was just excited because it was my first time doing
all-around,” Willis said. “I was a little nervous for
beam, but it was good to hit one and have a good meet.”

Though the Bruins were fresh from a week off, they were able to
rest a number of their top competitors. Head coach Valorie
Kondos-Field once again competed an original lineup.

“I tried to compete as many of the hometown athletes as
possible,” Kondos-Field said. “I was excited to go a
196-plus again.”

Doni Thompson, a sophomore from Olympia, Wash., turned in a
strong performance against her hometown school with a 9.900 on the
uneven bars.

“Bars was really good,” Thompson said with a laugh.
“I had moments that were really good and moments that
weren’t, but it’s OK. You learn from each
meet.”

The Bruins achieved the second-highest overall score in the 24
year history of the UCLA Invitational, and did so in front of 1,510
fans. Free Diddy Reese cookies and UCLA t-shirts were handed out to
the screaming fans.

The Bruins added to the excitement by turning in captivating
performances in each exercise.

“I just think they pushed it. They pushed themselves to
the edge today,” Kondos Field said.

Freshman Jeanette Antolin achieved a personal best on the
balance beam with a 9.850 while competing against her sister Katie
(Fullerton) for the third time this year.

In addition to her perfect 10 Dantzscher competed in the
all-around competition for the first time as a Bruin. Her
inexperience did not show, as she scored a personal best 39.550,
second only to Willis’ top score.

The Bruins’ next meet is Friday at Oregon State.