Weekly diary by Valorie Kondos Field, head coach for UCLA's women's gymnastics team.
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Dec. 10, 2003
Fall 2003 - scrappy adj. pugnacious, aggressive
This best describes our pre-season. We have a handful of upperclassmen who are working through their "elderly" issues (ankles, shoulders, shins, backs) with precise and meticulous training. We also have sophomores Kate Richardson and Holly Murdock, who are on fire. Holly is excited because her injury issues from last year have been resolved through a year of rehab. And Kate is training full board for our NCAA season and the Summer Olympics. We then have a group of "scrappy" freshmen who are on a mission to hold true to the UCLA tradition of "No Outs. No Doubts. No excuses."
Fun, exciting new talent and personalities combined with veteran consistency and leadership ... UCLA Gymnastics 2004!
As any coach knows, every year is quite different from the last, and this year is no exception ...
The old adage about the glass being half full or half empty really hit home last week. After many meetings with doctors and ankle specialists, we have determined that Jamie Dantzscher will just concentrate on bars this season. She had ankle surgery in June with the hopes of removing some obstructions in her ankle that were giving her problems for the past few years. One area has healed with great success. Another area has developed some scar tissue which is right at the point of flexion. Unfortunately, for her, all of us, and the gymnastics community that has enjoyed her gymnastics for so many seasons ... Jamie has no choice right now but to be a bars specialist.
The doctors feel that this issue might resolve itself in time but probably not within the next few months. We are of course keeping Jamie's options open to come in on more events later in the season should her ankle permit her to tumble, but we've been advised to not count on that happening.
As far as looking at this situation as the glass half full, Jamie has had three tremendous collegiate competitive years. She's been able to compete in college much more than most other top elite athletes have been able to. As to how this affects the team, every one of her teammates can't help but be more motivated to "step it up" in Jamie's absence. With Jamie out on three events, it will be exciting to see who steps into her place.
We open our home season on Saturday, January 10th against the University of Utah. The evening's festivities will include, back by popular demand, an energetic performance by Capoeira Brasil, a homecoming and recognition for our 2003 NCAA Champions, and our 2004 poster giveaway. *Please note, our formal autograph signing will take place after the Feb. 8th meet against Stanford, which will be nationally televised by Fox Sports Net.* And of course, don't forget the NCAA Championships, which will be held in our very own Pauley Pavilion April 15-17. Tickets are on sale now at our Central Ticket Office (310/UCLA-WIN).
Here's to a healthy holiday season and to a healthy and exciting 2004 UCLA Gymnastics season.
~miss val