Squad to compete for third title

  MARY HOLSCHER Onnie Willis performs on
the uneven bars at the UCLA Gymnastics Invitational.

By Adam Karon
Daily Bruin Staff

A three-peat would be oh-so-sweet.

That is the mindset of the UCLA women’s gymnastics team as
it attempts to defend its national championship for the second time
at this weekend’s NCAA competition in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The Bruins enter the contest ranked No. 1 in the nation, but are
seeded No. 2 behind host Alabama. Seeding is determined by each
team’s regional score.

Thursday’s competition features two groups of six, with
the top three from each session advancing to Friday’s
national championship final round. UCLA competes in the second
session Thursday beginning at 7 p.m., alongside Alabama, Stanford,
Oregon State, Florida and Minnesota.

Alabama is the only team in its session UCLA has not defeated in
2002 and is likely to be the Bruins’ toughest competition.
The Crimson Tide is led by Andree Pickens, who places in the top
four nationally on vault, beam and bars.

Participating in the second session could work to the road-weary
Bruin’s advantage.

“I don’t think it (the travel) will be a major
issue,” junior Kristin Parker said.

Friday’s competition, called the “Super Six,”
will end with the crowning of the 2002 national champions.

Pressure is nothing new to this Bruin team. Parker and her
recruiting class have not lost at the finals since dawning blue and
gold.

“I think since we try to approach every meet as if
it’s important, this shouldn’t be any different,”
Parker said.

Her undefeated recruiting class includes Onnie Willis, Malia
Jones, Doni Thompson and Carly Raab. In fact, only seniors Lindsay
Dong and Valerie Velasco remember what it is like to finish any
place besides first.

“There’s no added pressure for myself,” junior
Onnie Willis said. “Within the team there’s a strong
desire to compete well and bring home the National
Championship.”

The road through Tuscaloosa will not be easy. Host Alabama
tallied a 197.9 regional total, one of the highest first round
scores ever.

One of the biggest issues for the Bruins this weekend is the
health of their superstars. Willis and sophomore Jamie Dantzscher
have been hounded by ankle injuries all season.

Jones and Parker have also suffered lower-extremity injuries
this year. In addition, UCLA will be without the services of
sophomore Kristen Maloney, who had to take a redshirt year after
medical complications stemming from a steel rod recently removed
from her shin.

“It’s going to affect us a lot because our guns are
the ones who are hurting,” head coach Valorie Kondos Field
said. “They’ll suck it up and compete.”

Saturday is the individual competition, and several Bruins
should participate in an attempt to add to UCLA’s 16
individual titles. Last year a pair of Bruins took home
championship hardware. Sophomore Yvonne Tousek claimed the title on
the bars, and Willis was crowned all-around champion.

UCLA hopes for similar performances as it marches on toward a
third straight NCAA championship.