UCLA
Utah State
UCLA Tops Utah State in Farewell Meet
March 16, 2019 | Gymnastics
LOS ANGELES – UCLA gymnastics fans bid farewell to head coach Valorie Kondos Field and the senior class as the No. 2 Bruins defeated Utah State 197.575-194.850 Saturday afternoon in front of 12,270 fans in Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom.
Kyla Ross completed the "Gym Slam" with her first-career perfect 10 on floor exercise, while Katelyn Ohashi provided the grand finale to her Pauley career with a perfect score of her own on floor. Ross set a new school record with a 10 in her seventh straight competition. The junior now has nine this season and 14 for her career. Ohashi has earned five this year and 10 over the course of her time in Westwood.
With this perfect routine, @kyla_ross96:
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) March 17, 2019
??Scored her first FX ??
??Became the 11th gymnast in NCAA history to record a Gym Slam and 7th to do it all in one season
??Extended her perfect ?? streak to a school-record 7 consecutive weeks
#KylaBoss DID THAT. pic.twitter.com/AsU17yJiHL
The 49.825 team score on floor is a season-high for UCLA (12-1). It represents the third-highest score in program history.
Fittingly, the performance took place on Valorie Kondos Field Floor. In a pre-meet ceremony, UCLA Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero paid tribute to the legendary coach and the countless memorable floor exercise routines under her tutelage by unveiling the honor. Kondos Field will retire at the conclusion of the season, her 29th as head coach.
"From this day forward, every floor routine that takes place in Pauley Pavilion will be performed on the Valorie Kondos Field Floor."
— UCLA Athletics (@UCLAAthletics) March 17, 2019
Congrats, @OfficialMissVal! #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/nlh5pmjY8j
UCLA's Felicia Hano starred on vault in the first rotation, matching her career-best score of 9.95. Nia Dennis also stuck her landing for a mark of 9.85, while Pauline Tratz checked in at 9.825. Sekai Wright and Gracie Kramer posted scores of 9.775 and 9.7, respectively.
Four Bruins notched scores of 9.9 or higher on uneven bars in the second rotation, with Dennis continuing her stellar day by way of a career-best 9.95. Madison Kocian added a 9.95 of her own. Norah Flatley posted a 9.925 and Margzetta Frazier led off at 9.9 to round out the 9.9 club. Ross scored 9.475 as UCLA extended its overall lead to 1.2.
Ross fell just short of perfection on beam, closing out the third rotation at 9.975. Grace Glenn bookended an impressive team performance for UCLA, leading off with a career-high-tying 9.95. Flatley and Brielle Nguyen registered 9.85s, while Kocian and Ohashi added 9.825 scores.
The Bruins saved the best for last, with the 10s from Ross and Ohashi capping a memorable day. Tratz also shined on floor with a career-high 9.95 to match Hano's career-high-tying leadoff performance. Kramer added a 9.925 for good measure.
For one final time at Pauley, @katelyn_ohashi goes out perfect on the floor. ??@uclagymnastics | #Pac12Gym pic.twitter.com/TzAIkvfP4z
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 17, 2019
UCLA honored the career and lasting impact of "Miss Val" throughout the afternoon, with a plethora of gymnastics alumni in attendance. Over her 29 years at the helm, she has guided her teams to a record of 528-121-3 and all seven of its NCAA Championships. The four-time National Coach of the Year and Pac-12 Gymnastics Coach of the Century has also seen her teams rack up 14 conference and 19 NCAA Regional titles.
Senior support staff members and student-athletes Nguyen, Ohashi and Macy Toronjo were also recognized for their accomplishments, which have included one NCAA Championship, two NCAA Regional titles and two Pac-12 titles.
With the regular-season portion of its schedule complete, UCLA next heads to West Valley City, Utah in hopes of defending its Pac-12 Championships title. The Bruins will compete in the evening session at Maverik Center, beginning at 5 p.m., PT. Pac-12 Networks will provide live television coverage of both sessions.
Players Mentioned
