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UCLA Places Third at Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships

by uclabruins.com
Mar 20, 2021
Sekai Wright

West Valley City, Utah - UCLA recorded season-highs on floor exercise and vault and led early at the Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships but faltered on balance beam in the final rotation and fell to third place with a score of 196.725. Utah won the championship with a score of 197.725, and California placed second with a 197.375. Arizona State was fourth with a 196.375.

The Bruins took home four individual titles, however. Junior Sekai Wright won the vault championship with a career-high 9.950, and her classmate Margzetta Frazier tied for first on uneven bars with a 9.950. Freshman Chae Campbell and senior Pauline Tratz tied for first on floor exercise with scores of 9.950.

Additionally, Tratz was awarded the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and Campbell was honored as the Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year.

UCLA took the early lead after the first rotation, posting a season-high 49.525 on floor exercise. The last four performers all scored 9.9 or higher, with Campbell and Tratz scoring career-highs of 9.950, and Frazier and Nia Dennis earning 9.900s. Wright added a 9.825 to add to the scoring.

The Bruins kept the heat coming in rotation two, scoring another season-best total, a 49.425 on vault. Tratz led off with a season-high 9.900, followed by a 9.825 from Kendal Poston hit a 9.825. Wright hit the vault of her career, sticking a Yurchenko 1.5 to score a career-best 9.950. After Frazier's 9.825, Dennis stuck her vault for a 9.900, and Campbell hit a 9.850. Utah, however, took over the lead by .050 after scoring 49.675 on balance beam, thanks to five scores of 9.9 or higher, including three 9.950s.

Utah increased its lead in rotation three to 0.375 after scoring another 49.675 on floor exercise. The Bruins scored 49.350 on uneven bars to remain in second place, led by Frazier's 9.950 to close the rotation, and Frida Esparza's 9.925 in the two spot. Junior Norah Flatley made her long-awaited season debut after injuring her ankle in the season opener and hit for a 9.875. The Bruins also received scores of 9.800 from Campbell and Sara Ulias.

Finishing up on balance beam in second place, 0.45 ahead of California, the Bruins had to count two falls and slipped to third place. Poston started the Bruins strong with a 9.850 leadoff routine, and Nicole Shapiro closed with a 9.850, but Frazier was the only other Bruin to score in the 9.8 range.

The Bruins will next compete at the NCAA Regionals. The Regional matchups will be revealed on Monday, Mar. 22 at 2pm PT on NCAA.com.

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