A Quest For Greatness
November 06, 2001 | Gymnastics
Nov. 6, 2001
By Stuart Wolpert
After two years of college, UCLA gymnasts Onnie Willis, Doni Thompson, Kristin Parker, Malia Jones and Carly Raab have earned two national championship rings. If the gymnasts have another special season this year, are these remarkably gifted student-athletes capable of winning three, even four, national championships in their career?
Yes, but it will be difficult for at least three reasons. First, there are several other excellent gymnastics teams, both nationally and in the Pac-10. Second, every team will be motivated to compete at its highest level against the two-time defending NCAA champions. Third, the NCAA championships will be held in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in April 2002 in an arena filled with fans cheering for rivals Alabama and Georgia. However ...
Onnie, Doni, Kristin, Malia and Carly have several things going in their favor, besides their phenomenal skills. Let's start with their teammates. UCLA's sophomore class is among the most outstanding in college gymnastics history, with Alyssa Beckerman, Jamie Dantzscher, Kristen Maloney, Yvonne Tousek, Christy Erickson, Jamie Williams and Trishna Patel.
UCLA's seniors are Valerie Velasco, who is coming off an excellent year, and Lindsey Dong, who is among the team's six Scholastic All-Americans. The other Scholastic All-Americans are Carly, Kristin, Onnie, Jamie Williams and Alyssa.
No doubt the team will miss last year's senior, Mohini Bhardwaj, who is representing the United States in international competition, but three exceptional freshmen have joined the team: Christie Tedmon, Natasha Desai, and Michelle Conway. It will be exciting to follow their UCLA careers over the next four years.
Head Coach Valorie Kondos Field, National Coach of the Year for four of the last six years, has built not only the premier college gymnastics program in the country, but a program that has the look of a dynasty in the John Wooden tradition. Her superstars graduate, but the team seems to only get stronger. That's a rare accomplishment for any team, but it's a sight that you can see this winter in Pauley Pavilion. Steve Gerlach and Milo Johnson are "Miss Val's" capable assistant coaches.
It's a smart, close-knit team with great heart that you can't help cheering for, even if you have no connection to UCLA. The student-athletes excel in the classroom, and are inspirational role models. At the meets, you will enjoy not only watching them compete, but noticing their preparations before each event as well: Yvonne's concentration, Alyssa's exuberance, Doni's exhortation to a teammate, Onnie's transformation into an intense competitor as an event begins.
You can meet "Miss Val" and her superstars at a free exhibition on Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2:00 p.m. in UCLA's John Wooden Center. RSVP to Jill Johnson at 310-825-2343 with your name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address and number of people attending. It's a fun afternoon when you can watch the gymnasts perform and participate in a Question & Answer session, and get autographs afterwards. The meets at UCLA will all be held in Pauley Pavilion. The dates are Sunday, Jan. 20 at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2:00 p.m., Saturday night, Feb. 23 at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, March 3, at 2:00 p.m. The tickets cost about the price of a movie, and you choose your own seats. UCLA Gymnastics is the best entertainment value in Los Angeles!
The golden age of college gymnastics is right now at UCLA. Don't miss a minute of the action. You'll love this team!
Stuart Wolpert is a senior media relations representative for UCLA's College of Letters and Science.
