UCLA
NCAA Semifinals
Bruins Qualify for NCAA Super Six Team Finals
April 14, 2017 | Gymnastics
UCLA qualified for the NCAA Super Six for the 20th time after finishing in second place in the first semifinal. The Bruins scored 197.500 to place just behind top-ranked Oklahoma, who finished with 197.725. Utah joined the Bruins and Sooners in qualifying, placing third with a 197.050.
Freshmen Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian led the Bruins with strong all-around performances. Ross scored a career-high 39.575 to place second in the session, followed closely by Kocian, who placed third with a 39.550. Ross leads the pack after one session on both uneven bars and balance beam. She is in a three-way tie for first on bars with a 9.95, and her beam score of 9.9625 leads the field. The final all-around and event standings, as well as the other three qualifying teams, will be determined after the second semifinal tonight at 7pm CT.
UCLA started lights out on uneven bars in rotation two, scoring 49.3625. Every Bruin competitor hit strong routines, with Sonya Meraz leading off with a 9.8, followed by consecutive 9.825s from JaNay Honest and Stella Savvidou. Kocian added a 9.875, and Ross earned 9.95s across the board. Christine Peng-Peng Lee finished the set with a thrilling routine that scored 9.8875, and the Bruins rocketed to first place.
The Bruins matched that team score on balance beam in their next rotation. Senior Mikaela Gerber led off with a strong 9.8625 score, and although Hallie Mossett fell in the second spot, Kocian kept the Bruins focused with a 9.8625 of her own. Ross followed with her nearly flawless routine, receiving perfect 10s from two of the six judges. But it was Lee who saved the day with an incredible save on her flight series, balancing on one leg to stay on the beam and saving the Bruins from having to count a fall. She finished with a score of 9.7625. Katelyn Ohashi closed it out with a new routine designed around the ankle she sprained a week and a half ago. She changed her flight series to a front aerial/back handspring and nailed her routine, scoring 9.9125.
Floor exercise turned into a big dance party for the Bruins, who scored a meet-high 49.5375. Macy Toronjo and Ohashi started with a pair of 9.875s. Ross, competing floor for just the third time this season, hit for a 9.825, then the Bruins closed with three-straight scores of 9.925 or higher. Angi Cipra scored a season-high 9.925, Kocian delivered a team-best 9.9375 with effortless tumbling, and Mossett slayed her performance, scoring 9.925.
The Bruins went into the final rotation ahead of Oklahoma by a slim 0.0375 margin, and although the Sooners topped the Bruins with a beam score of 49.5, UCLA held strong and remained in the Top 2 after scoring 49.2375 on vault. Kocian led the Bruins with a career-high-tying 9.875. Felicia Hano set a new career-best with a 9.8625. Ross and Cipra each added 9.8375s, and Napualani Hall totaled 9.825.
UCLA earned a total of 12 All-America honors. Kocian earned four (1st team All-Around, Floor; 2nd team Vault, Bars), and Ross received three (1st-team All-Around, Bars, Beam). Ohashi (beam), Cipra (floor) and Mossett (floor) each earned first-team honors, while Hano (vault) and Lee (bars) earned second-team All-America acclaim.
The Super Six Team Finals will take place on Saturday, Apr. 15 at 8pm CT/6pm PT and will be televised live on ESPNU. UCLA will be aiming for its seventh NCAA title.
Team Results – Semifinal 1
1. Oklahoma – 197.7250
2. UCLA – 197.5000
3. Utah – 197.0500
4. Washington – 196.5625
5. Denver – 196.4750
6. Oregon State – 196.3625
Players Mentioned
