University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
2002-03 Winter Sports Recap
Men's Basketball
Record: 10-19, 6-12 Pac-10
The men's basketball team struggled through its first season without Dan Gadzuric, Matt Barnes, and Billy Knight, all of whom completed their eligibility in 2002. However, the season was not without its highlights. At the Pac-10 Tournament in March, the Bruins needed to overcome No. 1 Arizona in the first round to have any hope of earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. In a stunning upset, the Bruins claimed a 96-89 overtime victory to move on and play eventual tournament champion Oregon. Though the Bruins fell narrowly to the Ducks, 75-74, the Arizona win marked the fourth-straight year that UCLA defeated a No. 1 team. At season's end, Ben Howland was named the Bruins' new head coach.
Men's Volleyball
Record: 15-14, 10-12 MPSF
The UCLA men's volleyball team continued a streak of 41 winning seasons under Head Coach Al Scates. During the year, the Bruins took all three meetings from crosstown-rival USC. One of those wins, for the Kilgour Cup, came at the start of a season-long five-match win streak that saw the Bruins sweep Stanford in Palo Alto. Four players earned all-conference honors.
Women's Basketball
Record: 18-11, 12-6 Pac-10
Picked to finish eighth in the Pac-10 in the pre-season poll, UCLA exceeded all expectations by placing fourth and recording the team's best season since earning an identical 18-11 record in 2000. After defeating Oregon in the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Tournament, the Bruins pushed national power Stanford to the limit in the semifinal before ending the season with a close 69-64 loss. Pac-10 scoring leader Michelle Greco (18.9 ppg) and Nikki Blue (16.6 ppg) were named to the All-Pac-10 first team, and Blue also earned All-Freshman honors.
Women's Gymnastics
Pac-10 Finish: 1st NCAA Finish: 1st
The UCLA gymnastics team became the second Bruin squad to win a national title in 2002-03, following the men's soccer team's triumph in December. The crown was UCLA's fourth in seven years and third in the past four years. Not only did the Bruins claim the team title, but UCLA athletes won three individual titles for the third consecutive year. Freshman Kate Richardson capped her outstanding year with a balance beam title and shared the uneven bars crown with junior Jamie Dantzscher. Senior Onnie Willis was awarded the Honda Award, given annually to the nation's top gymnast. Willis was also named the Pac-10 Gymnast of the Year, while junior Jeanette Antolin was selected the West Region Gymnast of the Year.
Women's Swimming & Diving
NCAA Finish: 11th Pac-10 Finish: 1st
The women's swimming and diving team won its second conference title in three years and earned an 11th-place finish at the NCAA Championships. UCLA's efforts were recognized by the conference, which named Head Coach Cyndi Gallagher as its coach of the year and Kim Vandenberg as its Newcomer of the Year. In the classroom, seven Bruins made the Pac-10's All-Academic team. Regan Gosnell made the first team, and Kristen Lewis and Janine Strack were named to the second team. Watanabe, Brooke Winkler, Cathy Coler, and Jennifer McNally received honorable mention status.