Gymnastics looks to recover top form against Oklahoma in final meet of the regular season
Sophomore Olivia Courtney and the No. 3 Bruins face the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the John Wooden Center.
By Daily Bruin Staff
March 9, 2012 12:46 a.m.
Two weeks ago, the UCLA gymnastics team was on a high.
The Bruins had just scored a nation-leading 198.050, their highest point total since the national championships in 2004.
The team shrugged off the performance as “normal” gymnastics, claiming that they would do better next week.
Instead, UCLA (9-2-1) hit a stumbling block against Georgia last week.
The team committed uncharacteristic mistakes in a performance that, when judged by the Bruins’ exacting standards, was sub-par.
“It’s definitely a little disappointing, especially coming from such a high of a 198 and dropping to a 196.975,” said sophomore Olivia Courtney after the meet against Georgia.
“On the positive side, when we’re not having a great meet, we’re still a 196, almost a 197 team.”
Coach Valorie Kondos Field admitted that the team’s exceptional performance against Arizona State two weeks ago may have led to some unwanted nerves last week.
“I think if anything it may just be the nature of athletics, coming off such a high ““ and trying to sustain that is very difficult to do,” she said.
“We got a little lazy mentally, but I don’t anticipate it being a problem getting them into the right mentality at the moment.”
After falling short last week, a 198-plus score remains the team’s goal against No. 2 Oklahoma (16-2) on Sunday.
The meet marks the final competition of the regular season for UCLA, and five seniors will be honored as they perform for the last time at home.
The meet against Oklahoma marks the second time in as many weeks that UCLA has competed against a top-five opponent.
Performing well this week against tough competition will be crucial in upcoming weeks if UCLA hopes to fare well in the NCAA competition come April.
“It is going to be a good meet. Senior meet is always emotional but we are really pumped up to have Oklahoma here. It is going to be one of the premier meets in the country this weekend,” Kondos Field said.
Compiled by Mansi Sheth, Bruin Sports senior staff.
