March 9, 2001
Ann Arbor, MI - The top-ranked UCLA gymnastics team defeated eighth-ranked Michigan at Crisler Arena, 197.7-197.125.
In what was billed as a showdown between UCLA Olympians Jamie Dantzscher, Kristen Maloney and Yvonne Tousek and Michigan Olympian Elise Ray, neither gymnast disappointed, posting great individual performances. But it was Bruin sophomore Onnie Willis who took top honors, winning the all-around with a 39.5. Ray placed second with a 39.4, and Tousek placed fourth with a 39.1.
UCLA never trailed in the meet, taking the lead after the first rotation with a 49.575 on the uneven bars to Michigan's 49.225 on vault. Three Bruin scores of 9.925 or higher highlighted the set. Tousek and Mohini Bhardwaj recorded 9.925s, and Dantzscher scored a near-perfect 9.975.
In rotation two, the Bruins were solid on vault, totaling 49.325 behind three 9.9 or higher scores from Dantzscher (9.9), Kristin Parker (9.925) and Onnie Willis (9.9). With the Wolverines scoring 49.3 on bars, the Bruins increased their lead slightly to 0.375 heading into the third rotation.
The Bruins increased their lead to 0.725 points in rotation three, with four consecutive 9.9s or higher from Parker, Kristen Maloney, Dantzscher (9.9 each) and Willis (9.925). Michigan remained in contention, pulling in 9.8s or higher from all six gymnasts for a team total of 49.125.
On balance beam in the last rotation, a pair of 9.95s from Tousek and Maloney and a 9.875 from Bhardwaj clinched the victory for the Bruins despite a valiant 49.475 effort from the Wolverines on floor.
"I am extremely proud of the team," said head coach Valorie Kondos Field. "This was our biggest meet of the year because it was our biggest meet on the road, and we had some mistakes, but the team didn't let it take them on a downward trail. I was thrilled to see how they responded."
UCLA will return to competition Sunday with a dual meet at Michigan State at 1 pm local time.
Final Results:
Team: 1. UCLA, 197.7, 2. Michigan, 197.125.
All-Around: 1. Onnie Willis (U), 39.5, 2. Elise Ray (M), 39.4, 3. Karina Senior (M), 39.25.
Vault: 1. Chrissy Michaud (M), 9.95, 2. Kristin Parker (U), 9.925, 3T. Jamie Dantzscher (U), 9.9, 3T. Onnie Willis (U), 9.9.
Bars: 1. Jamie Dantzscher (U), 9.975, 2T. Yvonne Tousek (U), Mohini Bhardwaj (U), Elise Ray (M), 9.925.
Beam: 1T. Yvonne Tousek (U), 9.95, 1T. Kristen Maloney (U), 9.95, 3. Mohini Bhardwaj (U), 9.875.
Floor: 1T. Onnie Willis (U), 9.925, 1T. Calli Ryals (M), 9.925, 3T. Kristin Parker (U), 9.9, 3T. Kristen Maloney (U), 9.9, 3T. Jamie Dantzscher (U), 9.9, 3T. Janessa Grieco (M), 9.9, 3T. Bridget Knaeble (M), 9.9.