University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Ask The Bruins - Feb. 3, 2011
February 03, 2011 | Gymnastics
Feb. 3, 2011
UCLA Gymnastics head coach Valorie Kondos Field will be answering your questions every Thursday over the course of the season. To submit questions for future Q&As, CLICK HERE.
This week's questions/answers:
Melissa (Ontario): What are your thoughts on gymnastics shows? Do you think they work? I saw a skating/gymnastics show on TV a few weeks ago and was shocked by how little gymnastics was actually done, especially compared to the figure skating and even the male gymnasts.
Miss Val: I've choreographed a few skating and gymnastics shows. The difficult part is the logistics of where to put the floor and gymnastics equipment. Obviously, the ice goes in the center of the arena, and the gymnastics equipment has to go around it. Also, gymnastics isn't as "performance" based as skating. Taking into consideration music and costumes, you often get gymnasts who are performing outside their comfort zone.
Jamie (Los Angeles): Thank you for doing Ask the Bruins each week! Will you allow questions for the gymnasts this season as well?
Miss Val: Sure.
Annie, Simi Valley: In what situation would you contest a score with a judge? If the difference between the two judges is significant, do you question it?
Miss Val: You can only inquire on the start value of the routine. I do admit to turning in inquiries if the difference between the two judges is significant, but you have to keep in mind that the judges can lower the score if upon further discussion the higher judge feels she was too high. That's always a risk I keep in mind. Most inquiries come back with the judges not adjusting the score and simply writing "No composition deduction taken."
Natalie (Bakersfield): I recently saw a video of Anna Li training! It looks like she can put a bar routine together similar to that of Beth Tweddle's, which is that the US could really use! What are your thoughts on her training elite? Have you recently talked to her about her training elite?
Miss Val: The last year of Anna's collegiate career it finally all came together for her. She has a ton of talent that she has yet to tap into, so as long as her drive and love for training is still there, I think she would be a GREAT addition to our U.S. team. She LOVES to compete and truly made our entire team better competitors last year. Anna is finishing up her last quarter of school and training a lot. She pops into my office periodically and seems to be in a really good place. I would love to see her around the younger U.S. athletes to help them better understand and appreciate how spectacular their sport is and show them how to learn to embrace the thrill of competition.
Erkki Corpuz (Los Angeles) - Coach VKF, Who are your favorite male and female non-gymnast UCLA athletes of all time? Which other Bruin teams do you follow?
Miss Val: I try to follow all of the teams. Because my husband is an Associate Athletic Director over Football, I tend to follow Football the most. I can't answer your first question with one particular person; so many incredible athletes immediately come to mind. On the men's side, keeping in mind that you asked for non-gymnasts, Troy Aikman, Rafer Johnson, Arthur Ashe, Jackie Robinson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Maurice Jones-Drew, and on and on. On the women's side, I'd have to say one of the greatest female athletes in the history of sport Jackie Joyner Kersee, plus Florence Griffith Joyner, Gail Devers, Ann Meyers Drysdale (the first female basketball player ever to sign an NBA contract), Lisa Fernandez ... basically anyone who achieved Greatness in their sport at the highest level possible. Being around so many all-time great athletes is one of the most exciting things about being a part of UCLA Athletics.
Alaina (Long Beach): It was so exciting to see the team pull out a 24-for-24 performance at Oregon State. Congratulations! Was there something in particular that clicked with the team that weekend that turned everything around?
Miss Val: Yes, after our Southern Utah meet we discussed at length the difference between training "hard" and training with "purpose". That has seemed to click with our athletes, and they continue to get better each day. It has also helped to get the majority of our team healthy again.
Hans (Santa Monica): Is there any chance we'll ever see Chris Waller's pommel horse routine during the post-meet entertainment? (Does UCLA still own a pommel horse?)
Miss Val: Yes, we still own a pommel horse ... and I don't think Chris will be busting out a pommel horse routine anytime soon. Maybe some flairs. He still has amazing form.
Marie (San Francisco): With so many gymnasts on the roster, it's hard to keep track of who's who! Can you tell us more about Danielle Greig and Courtney Shannon?
Miss Val: Dani and Courtney were both level 10 gymnasts who had surgery before they came to UCLA as freshmen. Unfortunately, neither one has been able to fully recover from injury.
Lizzie (Boston): I've heard your gymnasts talk about the fact that, as a team, they don't go in for the big bows, glitter, and temp tattoos--and I have to think this starts with you ... is that right? If so, have you ever had any gymnasts challenge that, and want to get glitzed up? Relatedly, I just want to say UCLA always has the best leos!! Never over-designed. :)
Miss Val: Your question made me laugh. You would be correct, the no big bows, glitter, or temp tattoos is per my request. I'm not a big bling person, and I don't think temp tattoos make anyone look better. I'd rather have their gymnastics make a statement vs any added "stuff", although one could argue that our leotards have quite a bit of sparkle usually. I have had some athletes challenge my requests, especially with wanting to wear glitter in their hair. I explain my reasoning and then they usually drop it. I've said this before in another Q and A, Luisa Portocarerro had to cover up the Olympic ring tattoo on her ankle so she wouldn't receive a deduction for it being a distraction. How is that any more distracting than a temp tattoo on one's face?
