Bruins Open Season Saturday vs. Sun Devils
Meet Notes (PDF) | 2021 Information Guide
MEET INFORMATION
TV: Pac-12 Networks
TV Talent: Brian Webber, JaNay Honest
Live Stats: uclabruins.com
BRUINS OPEN SEASON SATURDAY VS. ASU
UCLA will open its 2021 season on Saturday, Jan. 23 with a dual meet against No. 15 Arizona State (1-1) in Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. The meet will be televised live on Pac-12 Networks, with Brian Webber and former UCLA gymnast JaNay Honest on the call.
SUPPORT UCLA TEAMS VIA FAN CUTOUTS
In adherence to the latest COVID-19 guidelines set by the state of California and Los Angeles County, fans are not permitted to attend events at UCLA Athletics venues, including Pauley Pavilion. However, Bruin fans can be there in spirit to support their favorite teams via cutouts which will be placed in seats inside the venue. For only $50 per cutout, fans can submit a photo of themselves, family members, friends or even their pets. Cutouts will be placed in seats within two weeks of the order date and remain in place until the completion of the last regular-season home contest at that venue. Specific seat locations for cutouts will be determined by availability at the time of purchase. Fans will have the opportunity to pick up their cutout once campus officially reopens. To order, visit uclabruins.com/fancutouts.
ABOUT THE BRUINS
UCLA ended a shortened 2020 campaign ranked No. 3 in the nation and closed the campaign with five straight meets scoring 197 or above. The Bruins return three All-Americans in Nia Dennis, Norah Flatley and Margzetta Frazier but lose five All-Americans and perfect 10 scorers in 2020 Honda Award winner and two-time Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year Kyla Ross, 2016 Olympic gold and silver medalist Madison Kocian, Grace Glenn, Felicia Hano and Gracie Kramer. The Bruins will also be without the services of sophomore Chloe Lashbrooke this season after she suffered a torn achilles tendon earlier this month. UCLA did keep one of last year's seniors - Nicole Shapiro, who had only competed two years and was granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA. New to the squad are freshmen Chae Campbell, Frida Esparza and Sara Ulias. Campbell was the U.S. junior vault champion in 2016 and a two-time Level 10 national champion. Esparza is a two-time World Championships competitor and the 2018 all-around national champion for Mexico. Ulias has placed Top 3 on uneven bars in the last two Level 10 Region 1 Championships.
SCOUTING THE SUN DEVILS
Arizona State enters the meet ranked No. 15 in the nation with a season average of 195.500. The Sun Devils opened the season with a 197.450-194.725 loss at No. 2 Oklahoma but rebounded with a come-from-behind 196.275-196.250 win over BYU in their home opener last weekend. Sophomore Hannah Scharf led the comeback with a career night, winning the all-around with a career-high 39.500 and also capturing event titles on beam (9.925) and floor (9.900). The Sun Devils also got a big boost from Sarah Clark, the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, who clinched the victory with a 9.800 on floor in the anchor spot.
UCLA IN OPENERS
UCLA has won six of its last eight season openers and six-straight home openers. Last season, the Bruins topped Boise State in the home opener, 196.800-195.475.
PRESEASON PICKS
The Bruins were selected No. 7 in the preseason national coaches poll and No. 2 in the Pac-12 preseason coaches poll.
FRAZIER, STEELE JOIN PAC-12'S DIVERSITY & INCLUSION GROUP
Junior Margzetta Frazier and sophomore Kalyany Steele will serve as UCLA representatives on the newly-formed Gymnasts for Peace, Action, and Change" (G-PAC). This student-athlete driven organization has representatives from all eight Pac-12 gymnastics programs. Together, these gymnasts will work to share ideas, formulate meet themes, host webinars, welcome guest speakers to campus, and more. G-PAC's mission statement is as follows: G-PAC facilitates an environment where diversity and inclusion is both welcomed and encouraged. Strives to ignite lasting change by sharing experiences, providing others with education and outside resources, and creating an authentic safe space for fellow student-athletes. Inspires others to thrive at the edge of their comfort zone furthering the journey to true equality.