This week in Pac-12 gymnastics

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SAN FRANCISCO--With a competitive season of Pac-12 gymnastics well underway, only one team is undefeated overall, and only two remain undefeated in Pac-12 Conference competition. No. 5 UTAH is undefeated but faces a challenge this coming weekend as they travel to No. 7 UCLA to take on the Bruins in a battle of the top teams in the Conference. 

The toughness of Pac-12 competition was on full display this past weekend as WASHINGTON surprised No. 12 STANFORD at the Metroplex Challenge and No. 19 CALIFORNIA defeated No. 7 UCLA for the first time since 1985.

UTAH is leading the Pac-12 in team averages for all events besides the floor, which UCLA is leading. The Bruin’s Danusia Francis is still first in the country on the beam. Also in the national rankings, OREGON STATE’s Dani Dessaints is second in the nation on the vault and STANFORD’s Elizabeth Price is second in the nation on the bars.

Upset Weekend: From Washington’s defeat of Stanford at the Metroplex Challenge to California’s first defeat of UCLA since 1985, this past week shook up the Pac-12 gymnastics picture. No. 12 Stanford came in fourth at the Metroplex Challenge with a 196.075, while Washington finished in third place with a 196.175. Cal defeated UCLA 196.375-195.175 in Berkeley Monday night to beat the Bruins head to head for first time since 1985.

Top-10 Matchup: This Saturday, No. 5 Utah will travel to No. 7 UCLA in a battle of the two best squads in the Pac-12 so far this season. The meet will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Los Angeles, and Pac-12 Mountain. UCLA is coming off a loss at Cal on Monday and Utah is coming off a season-high score of 197.150 against Arizona. Utah leads the series 50-25-1 all-time and has won six straight since UCLA’s last win over the Red Rocks in 2014, but the Utes have not won at UCLA since 2008. The two teams account for a combined 16 national titles.

Monday Night on Pac-12 Networks: After an exciting Monday this past week, Pac-12 Networks will pick it back up this coming Monday and broadcast both the No. 21 Arizona at No. 19 California meet (Pac-12 Arizona, Pac-12 Bay Area) and the No. 15 Oregon State at Washington meet (Pac-12 Network, Pac-12 Oregon, Pac-12 Washington).

New Pac-12 All-Around Leader: With Utah’s Kari Lee out for the season due to injury, senior Breanna Hughes competed in the all-around for the first time this season Monday night against Arizona. Her 39.525 all-around score now has her tied for second in the nation in the all-around. Stanford’s Elizabeth Price has slipped to fourth with an all-around average of 39.519.

Upcoming Schedule:
Sat., Feb 6
#5 UTAH at #7 UCLA                                    P12N, LA, M       1 p.m. PT

Mon., Feb. 8
ARIZONA STATE at #12 STANFORD                                      6 p.m. PT
#21 ARIZONA at #19 CALIFORNIA              P12A,BA             7 p.m. PT
#15 OREGON STATE at WASHINGTON     P12N, O, W         7 p.m. PT