The UCLA gymnastics team was tested last week. It was competing in rival Utah’s gym and without all-around competitor Chae Campbell.
The No. 6 Bruins didn’t win, but they did post their second-highest score and had key performances from walk-on freshmen to give them some momentum in their return Saturday to Pauley Pavilion for their second home meet of the season.
“Utah is not an easy place to compete,” UCLA first-year coach Janelle McDonald said. “So for our freshmen to get an opportunity to go out there and and hit their routines was a huge confidence booster for each of them. That was really exciting to see.”
Campbell was absent due to a family emergency, and McDonald said Wednesday that she was back on campus and set to resume training at the end of the week ahead of the Bruins’ 2 p.m. dual meet against Arizona State (1-2).
In her absence, walk-on freshmen Maddie Anyimi and Clara Wren stepped up against Utah. Although it’s unclear if either will be in the lineup for UCLA (1-1-1) on Saturday, McDonald didn’t rule out future appearances.
“They’re working on cleaning up details, landings, and I’m just excited for them to keep growing in their gymnastics,” the coach said.
UCLA’s balance beam performances are also looking up. The Bruins achieved their highest event score of the season against Utah, and four out of five gymnasts in the event lineup reached 9.900 or higher.
Balance beam scores had wavered this season and dipped below 49.00 in UCLA’s first two Pac-12 dual meets of the season before rising to 49.575 against Utah.
McDonald and beam coach Autumn Grable have been drilling fundamentals and adding exercises to build mental strength, like pressure sets that simulate a meet with high-pressure situations.
“We’ve had a couple of rocky beam rotations,” said Emily Lee, who scored a 9.90 in beam against Utah. “And right after, (Grable) is coming up with game plans, the kind of assignments on beam that are going to help us…
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