UCLA gymnastics aims to secure 1st home win against Utah since 2016

The Bruins have lost six of their last eight meets against the Red Rocks but have a chance to change their fortunes Friday night.

No. 22 UCLA gymnastics (1-0, 1-0 Pac-12) is set to take on No. 3 Utah (6-0, 2-0) at Pauley Pavilion with the chance to pick up its first home win over its conference rival since 2016.

UCLA came into the season ranked No. 8 in the preseason poll but has since seen its ranking slide 14 spots after failing to eclipse the 197 mark in each of its first three meets. Utah, on the other hand, has enjoyed a top-four spot all year.

Of the four events, vault has given the blue and gold the most trouble through three meets, with the team’s 48.867 average placing it 35th in the nation. However, the Bruins registered a season high of 49.250 on the event their last time out.

While coach Chris Waller said after the Arizona meet that scores haven’t been up to the team’s standards, he added that he was encouraged by UCLA’s performance against Arizona on Sunday.

“We have these breakout moments that happened throughout the meet,” Waller said. “Those are very encouraging, and I could feel at the end of the meet that people sensed that as well.”

After having four gymnasts compete in the all-around against the Wildcats, the team will likely be counting on freshmen Emma Malabuyo and Jordan Chiles for all four events again Friday, with senior Margzetta Frazier still sidelined with a broken foot.

Chiles ranks 23rd in the country on bars and 24th in the all-around, while Malabuyo ranks 41st in the all-around after a 39.25 performance Sunday.

The blue and gold will also have a chance to clean up its floor rotation Friday after it posted its lowest score of the season in the event against Arizona. Chiles made her Bruin debut on the event with a 9.825 while four Bruins scored below a 9.800.

Senior Sekai Wright exhibitioned on the event against the Wildcats in her unofficial season debut, and Waller said the energy was where he wanted it to be despite the scoring.

“(Wright) just looked so secure in herself out there,” Waller said. “To see our team rally around her after that made me feel really good about the team.”

UCLA has shown improvement on beam this season, with its ranking of No. 11 in the nation its best on any event. The Bruins will now have a chance to showcase their skills against the nation’s top beam team.

Utah has notched 12 scores of 9.900 or higher on beam compared to four by UCLA so far this season.

Waller said focusing on what his team can control will be integral for the Bruins to reach their full potential Friday.

“We will be at our best when we focus on our Bruin bubble and what we are capable of,” Waller said. “In those moments of self-doubt or trying too hard, our athletes need to compete as their most authentic selves. It doesn’t matter if it’s Utah or a smaller school. That’s our goal.”

Nevertheless, Waller added his team will be motivated by its rival’s success.

“I know that our team knows that Utah is perhaps our biggest rival,” Waller said. “I know our team knows how good they are doing this season. So, our team will be inspired to bring their best.”

The meet will be televised on ESPN2 and will start at 7 p.m.