This week in Pac-12 gymnastics

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SAN FRANCISCO--The Pac-12 went 11-4 in the first week of the 2016 season. The opening weekend was highlighted by UCLA’s win over then-No. 3 Alabama. CALIFORNIA took home a meet victory at the annual NorCal classic and now sits at 4-0 to start the season.

This coming weekend will feature more tough non-conference competition for Pac-12 squads as No. 5 UCLA travels to No. 3 Florida, No. 11 CALIFORNIA travels to No. 4 Oklahoma, and No. 22 STANFORD travels to No. 15 Georgia. 

STANFORD’s Elizabeth Price is tied for the national lead in the all-around after scoring a 39.500 in the NorCal Classic. UCLA’s Danusia Francis and Christine Peng Peng Lee are tied for first nationally on the beam. As a team, UTAH leads the nation on the bars so far this season.

Pac-12 in the rankings: This week’s top-25 features six Pac-12 squads, including five in the top 12. UCLA, Utah, Arizona, California, and Oregon State are all ranked among the top 12 teams in the nation.

Bruins vs. the SEC: Last week UCLA defeated Alabama when the Tide was the No. 3 team in the nation. This week, the Bruins will have their second chance in a row to knock off the No. 3 team in the country as they travel to No. 3 Florida to take on the Gators.

Non-conference challenges on the road: After a weekend of competition against ranked teams such as Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, and Nebraska, the tough non-conference competition will continue this week, and this time Pac-12 teams will be taking the show on the road. No. 5 UCLA is traveling to Gainesville to take on No. 3 Florida, No. 22 STANFORD will travel to No. 15 Georgia, and No. 11 CALIFORNIA will travel to No. 3 Oklahoma.

Looking to repeat: Coming off back to back Pac-12 Championships in 2014 and 2015, UTAH has been picked by Pac-12 gymnastics coaches to win the conference title yet again this year. The #4 Red Rocks open the season at home against rival BYU this Friday.

Pac-12 competition begins: Pac-12 competition will get underway this coming Monday as WASHINGTON travels to ARIZONA STATE. The meet will be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks at 6p.m. PT. 

Upcoming Schedule:

Fri., Jan. 15
#5 UCLA at #3 Florida                                                    3:45 p.m. PT
#12 OREGON STATE at Lindenwood                            4 p.m. PT
    with Bridgeport, Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Illinois State
#11 CALIFORNIA at #4 Oklahoma                                 4:45 p.m. PT
#7 UTAH at Southern Utah                                             6 p.m. PT

Sun., Jan 17
#10 ARIZONA at Texas Woman’s University                 11 a.m. PT

Mon., Jan. 18
#22 STANFORD at #15 Georgia                                     11 a.m. PT
WASHINGTON at ARIZONA STATE                               6 p.m. PT