Just when you think that UCLA is looking like a prime contender for the 2010 NCAA title, the Bruins lose. To Stanford, which was defeated by Georgia during the first week of competition. But Georgia has lost to Utah, which has already been defeated by UCLA. So what are college gymnastics fans supposed to think now?
Well, we know that Alabama looks good.
In UCLA's defense, Sunday night's 196.425-195.875 loss was the Bruins's second meet of the week (they won easily over San Jose State and Cal Friday night in Berkeley). The lineup was altered to give some gymnasts, most notably Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs, a chance to rest. Hopfner-Hibbs had a mild knee hyperextension but should be fine, UCLA coach Valorie Kondos-Field noted on Twitter.
What lost the meet for UCLA was the two falls they had to count on floor. But the team's scores on vault, bars and beam were the best they've had this season.
Here's a more complete recap, as well as a rundown of what else happened in NCAA women's gymnastics Sunday night:
Northern Illinois vs. Bowling Green State @ Bowling Green State: Bowling Green State 192.625, Northern Illinois 190.9. Breanne Guy led the way for the home team, capturing the all-around (38.875) as well as the beam title (9.8), as Bowling Green gymnasts swept the top honors at this meet. Danielle Wishart was first on vault (9.825) and floor (9.85), while Amber Brewer was the top gymnast on uneven bars (9.75). (NIUHuskies.com)
William & Mary vs. North Carolina @ William & Mary: North Carolina 193.375, William & Mary 184.45. UNC senior Christine Nguyen was the highest-scoring gymnast in the all-around (39.1) and added titles on uneven bars (9.775), balance beam (9.875) and floor (9.825) to her medal haul from the Tar Heels's blowout of William & Mary. Nguyen's teammate Zoya Johnson, returning to the lineup from surgery, was first on vault (9.85). (TarHeelBlue.cstv.com)
Arizona vs. Arizona State @ Arizona State: Arizona 195.675, Arizona State 194.9. This meet showed great improvement from both Arizona teams, both of which have struggled in Pac-10 competition in recent years. ASU junior Mary Atkinson tied Arizona's Sarah Tomczyk for the all-around title (39.45). Tomcyzk won vault (9.925) and floor (9.85), Atkinson won bars (9.95) and Arizona's Molly Quirk won beam (9.85). (SunDevils.cstv.com)
Towson vs. Ursinus, Bridgeport and Temple @ Ursinus: Towson 190.225, Bridgeport 189.025, Temple 188.9, Ursinus 180.95. Towson seniors Avis Hixon and all-around winner Alise McDonald (38.425) tied for first on vault (9.9), while teammate Jackie Schweitzer won uneven bars (9.55). Bridgeport's Emily Repko was the top gymnast on balance beam (9.85), and no fewer than five people -- Ursinus's Kira Oldham-Curtis, Temple's Corrine Williams, Bridgeport's Breanna Collins, Hixon and McDonald -- split the floor title (9.7). (TowsonTigers.com)
New Hampshire vs. Brown, Southern Connecticut and MIT @ Brown: New Hampshire 193.85, Brown 186.4, Southern Connecticut 184.925, MIT 153.7. New Hampshire gymnasts swept the top finishes in all events, led by all-around winner Chelsea Steinberg (38.975), who was also the top gymnast on vault (9.675), beam (9.8), and floor (9.85). UNH'S Danielle Reibold won balance beam (9.825). (UNHWildcats.com)
Ball State vs. UIC and S.E. Missouri @ Ball State (Ball State Invitational): S.E. Missouri 190.35, Ball State 190.325, UIC 186.55. S.E. Missouri's Rikara Turner won the all-around (38.225). S.E. Missouri's Jordan Salsberg won vault (9.7) and uneven bars (9.7), while Ball State's Emily Wehrle took first on beam (9.725) and teammate Brittney Emmons was the top scorer on floor (9.8).
(BallStateSports.com)
Stanford vs. UCLA @ UCLA: Stanford 196.425, UCLA 195.875. Bruin senior Anna Li was in fine form, winning the all-around (39.575) and uneven bars (9.95), the latter in a tie with Stanford senior Carly Janiga. Janiga also tied for first on floor with teammate Nicole Pechanec (9.95). UCLA's sophomore star Vanessa Zamarripa won vault (9.95) and beam (9.975). On both events, one judge scored Zamarripa at a 10. (UCLABruins.com)
Western Michigan vs. Illinois State, Air Force and Wisconsin-La Crosse @ Illinois State (ISU Quadrangular): Illinois State 190.925, Western Michigan 190.525, Air Force 185.150, Wisconsin-La Crosse 183.3. WMU's Kristine Garbarino won her third straight all-around title Sunday night, scoring 38.675. Illinois State junior Erica Schick was the class of the field on uneven bars (9.525), while Hannah Deutsch won balance beam (9.8) and floor exercise (9.8) for the Redbirds. Wisconsin-La Crosse's Gabi Hooper won vault (9.85). (NMNAthletics.com)
Nebraska vs. Michigan @ Nebraska: Nebraska 196.025, Michigan 194.725. Make no mistake: Nebraska is a team on the rise. Husker junior Erin Davis, who vaulted to a 10 last weekend, scored a more modest 9.875 for her Yurchenko full against Michigan, but still managed to win the event. Davis also won floor exercise (9.9). Michigan's Kylee Botterman was the top gymnast on uneven bars (9.9) and in the all-around (39.35), while teammate Kelsey Knutson won balance beam (9.85). (Huskers.com)
West Virginia vs. Maryland, George Washington and North Carolina State @ West Virginia: West Virginia 194.0, North Carolina State 193.225, Maryland 193.0, George Washington 188.65. West Virginia's Amy Bieski captured the all-around title (39.15) and shared the top score on uneven bars (9.775) with NC State's Taylor Seaman. WVU's Chelsi Tabor won vault (9.875), Maryland senior Talia Tossone won balance beam (9.8), and Maryland's Abigail Adams and George Washington's Leslie DeLima were the top gymnasts on floor (9.85). (UMTerps.com)
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