UCLA won two of three weekly gymnastics honors by the Pac-12, as Kyla Ross earned her ninth career Gymnast of the Week award, and Samantha Sakti her first Pac-12 Specialist of the Week honor.
Ross, a senior from Aliso Viejo, Calif., recorded UCLA's highest opening meet all-around score in 16 years, posting a 39.725 to take first place at the Collegiate Challenge. The reigning Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year also placed first on vault (9.9), balance beam (9.95) and floor exercise (9.95) and was fifth on uneven bars with a 9.925. Ross's marks helped UCLA record meet-high totals on vault (49.225) and floor (49.425).
Picking up where she left off. ?????@kyla_ross96 takes the first #Pac12Gym Gymnast of the Week award of the season after winning the all-around at the Collegiate Challenge with a 39.725. ?? https://t.co/io6G3W5Mta pic.twitter.com/P6Lqm0dudN
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) January 7, 2020
Sakti, a sophomore from Arcadia, Calif., scored a career-high 9.95 on balance beam in her first meet as a Bruin, tying Ross for first place. The transfer from William & Mary earned a perfect 10 from one of the two judges.
Another beam queen? @SamanthaSakti is fitting in well in Westwood. ??
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) January 7, 2020
The transfer made her @uclagymnastics debut with a career-high 9.95 on balance beam, earning #Pac12Gym Specialist of the Week. https://t.co/io6G3W5Mta pic.twitter.com/sFytHHO8MI
Joining the Bruin duo as a Pac-12 weekly award-winner was Stanford's Chloe Widner, who received the Freshman/Newcomer of the Week award.
No. 3 UCLA will host Boise State in its home opener on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 3pm. The meet will be televised live on Pac-12 Networks.
2020 Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week
Jan. 7: Kyla Ross, UCLA.
2020 Pac-12 Specialist of the Week
Jan. 7: Samantha Sakti, UCLA.
2020 Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Week
Jan. 7: Chloe Widner, Stanford.