UCLA displayed big skills and impressive performance quality in its Meet the Bruins event in Pauley Pavilion Saturday afternoon. The blue team, led by freshman Nia Dennis, won the blue vs. gold intrasquad, 117.800-116.375. Dennis scored 9.8 or higher on all four events and scored 39.4 in her UCLA debut.
Dennis led off the competition with a 9.9 on vault, sticking a big Yurchenko layout full vault. She tied for first place on the event with Kyla Ross, who also stuck a Yurchenko full, and Felicia Hano, who hit a Yurchenko 1.5. Senior Napualani Hall scored 9.85 on her Yurchenko 1.5, freshman Pauline Tratz scored 9.825 on a Yurchenko full, and sophomore Gracie Kramer scored 9.775 on a tucked Yurchenko 1.5. Both teams scored 29.575 on the event.
And @DennisNia starts the season with a big stuck Yurchenko vault that scores 9.9! pic.twitter.com/qVduf5Itjy
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) December 9, 2017
Blue took the lead in the second rotation, scoring 29.475 on uneven bars thanks to a 9.85 from Dennis, 9.825 from Sonya Meraz and 9.8 from Katelyn Ohashi. Gold, who was led by Ross' 9.85, scored 29.2.
This dismount by @kyla_ross96 though! ?? pic.twitter.com/lrEfmH78g2
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) December 9, 2017
A pair of 9.85s from Dennis and Felicia Hano on beam in rotation three increased blue's lead, as they scored 29.3 to gold's 28.825. Ross and freshman Savannah Kooyman led the gold team with scores of 9.775.
This beam mount by Savannah Kooyman went on FOREVER. ?? pic.twitter.com/ahW8qNFCl4
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) December 9, 2017
The blue team clinched the victory with a 29.45 on floor. Hano's 9.85 was a meet-high, and Dennis and Ohashi each added a 9.8 for team blue. Tratz led the gold team with a 9.775.
?? vs. ??@fish_hano won easily with a 9.85!#BlueVsGold #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/0XChyyvYsC
— UCLA Gymnastics (@uclagymnastics) December 9, 2017
UCLA opens its season on Jan. 6 against Ohio State. The meet will take place in Pauley Pavilion at 6pm.