UCLA Wins 2018 Pac-12 Gymnastics Championship
Mar 24, 2018
Tucson, Ariz. — No. 1 seed UCLA claimed the 2018 Pac-12 Women’s Gymnastics Championship title at McKale Center on the campus of the University of Arizona, winning the crown for the second time in the last three years. The Bruins recorded a 197.500 team score to capture first place overall. Utah came in second place with a 197.350 total team score, followed by CALIFORNIA and WASHINGTON who earned scores of 196.950 and 196.750 to place third and fourth, respectively.
UCLA’s Peng-Peng Lee received the only perfect score of the night for her performance on beam in the evening session, earning her gold with her fifth perfect 10 this year, four of which were on beam. This marks her eighth perfect score of her career. Kyla Ross and Utah’s MyKayla Skinner tied for first place in the all-around with a score of 39.675. Ross also led her squad on vault with a 9.900 and took home the win on bars with a 9.975. Katelyn Ohashi took home a share of the gold in a three-way tie with Stanford’s Elizabeth Price and Utah’s MyKayla Skinner, each posting a 9.950. The Bruins squad took home top marks on beam with a team score of 49.600 and on floor earning a 49.475.
The Utes won the remaining two of the four events, claiming victory on vault with a 49.475, and on bars with a 49.300. Utah was led by Skinner who earned the highest marks for the Utes in three of the four events she competed in, recording a 9.900 on vault, 9.925 on bars, 9.900 on beam, a 9.950 on floor (tie for first place), and 39.675 in the all-around (tie for first place). MaKenna Merrell-Giles took home gold for the Utes on vault, earning a 9.950. Missy Reinstadtler scored a pair of 9.900’s on bars and floor exercise, the second best scores for the Utes in the two events.
Finishing in third place, California tallied a program-best 49.300 team score on vault, enough for second place in the event. Arianna Robinson led the Golden Bears on vault, posting a 9.925. Toni-Ann Williams also had high marks for Cal, scoring 9.900 on beam and floor, the best marks for her team in each event. Alicia Gallarzo matched her season high with a 9.900 on beam, tying with Williams and Sofie Seilnacht for the top marks for California.
The Huskies took home fourth place in their second time competing in the later session of the Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships, recording a team score of 196.750. The Gym Dawgs were helped by senior Hailey Burleson who topped her squad with high marks on vault, earning a 9.875. Monica Riley also performed well for Washington, scoring a 9.875 on bars.
In the first session, OREGON STATE performed best, scoring a 196.575, but it was only enough to get them fifth place overall as all four teams competing in the second session bested the Beaver’s team total. ARIZONA STATE placed sixth earning 196.425, and STANFORD (196.350), and ARIZONA (195.825) took home seventh and eighth place, respectively.
In a vote by Conference coaches, Stanford’s Elizabeth Price has been named the Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year. Arizona State freshman Cairo Leonard-Baker was named the Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year, and UCLA’s Katelyn Ohashi has been named the pac-12 Specialist of the Year. Arizona State head coach Jay Santos was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year. The Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year and Coach of the Year awards began in 1987, the Freshman/Newcomer of the Year award was added in 2000 and the Specialist of the Year honor was added in 2014.
Pac-12 Championships Final Results
1. UCLA 197.500
2. UTAH 197.350
3. CALIFORNIA 196.950
3. WASHINGTON 196.750
5. OREGON STATE 196.575
6. ARIZONA STATE 196.425
7. STANFORD 196.350
8. ARIZONA 195.825