Now that the Stanford (196.775) v Alabama (197.150) meet is history — both teams HIT. Looking ready for Championships — here’s the highlight of the weekend.
The meet also will be televised live – a rarity in college gymnastics – on Fox Sports Prime Ticket. The live broadcast is believed to be the first of its kind since the early 1990s. Jim Watson and ex-Bruin Tasha Schwikert will be calling the action.
Hosting the undisputed #1 team will be a good end-of-season test for the very young, very talented UCLA Bruins.
It’s going to be close, I predict.
Georgia All-arounder Tiffany Tolnay won’t make the trip due to illness, and the down time will give her a chance to rest a nagging foot injury. For UCLA, it sounds like Anna Li and Ariana Berlin are not 100%.
Vanessa Zamarripa (UCLA) – larger original – flickr – Malingering
Georgia and UCLA, arguably the most dominant collegiate gymnastics programs the last decade, will renew their rivalry on Sunday in Los Angeles.
The No. 1 Gym Dogs and the No. 6 Bruins will meet Sunday at 5 p.m. at historic Pauley Pavilion. Georgia and UCLA have combined to win 11 of the last 12 national championships, including each of the last four for the Gym Dogs.
“We expect UCLA to give us their best,†Georgia associate head coach Jay Clark said. “We know who’s on that team and we know what we’re up against. We also know that UCLA is capable of winning the national championship. With who they had coming in and the fact that they’ve gotten some people healthy, they are as capable as anybody of winning a championship. We’ve got to be on top of our game to go onto their floor and try to beat them. It gets a little bit crazy out there with their fans, but it’s a fun atmosphere and we’re looking forward to it.â€
Georgia leads the all-time series with the Bruins 31-13, including a 14-5 mark in the regular season. The teams have split their last two regular-season meetings, each winning on its home floor.
The Gym Dogs will be looking to keep its perfect season alive on Sunday. Georgia is 10-0 overall and finished its Southeastern Conference schedule with a 6-0 mark.
“Our team has done a good job of taking it one meet at a time,†Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan said. “Who would have thought after the West Virginia meet (when Georgia scored a season-opening 195.425) that we’d be sitting here with two to go and looking down the tunnel at the possibility of an undefeated season? Most coaches would rather have a score than a win. They would rather get a 196.8 and lose than get a 196.2 and win. I’d rather win. I think winning benefits the team more. It’s a huge confidence builder.â€
The Gym Dogs also picked up plenty of confidence with their national-best 198.2 score posted last week against Florida. Georgia set season highs in all four events.
“Momentum is a huge part of every team,†Clark said. “We feel like we’re turning the corner, and we’ll find out against UCLA if we have. We’ve got to have put it together back to back. If we can string along a few together, we’ve got a real shot going down the stretch.â€
Gymnastics Coaching.com 