Depth strengthening Bruin gymnasts' bond
Emma Andres has had a long journey to securing a consistent spot in the UCLA gymnastics lineup, but she's now competed on balance beam the past three meets and is expected to do so again today when No. 11 UCLA hosts No. 18 Arizona.
The seasons leading up to her senior year have been a process of staying healthy and building selfconfidence. Today, which is also the Bruins' Pride Meet, will be a culmination of that process.
“I'm so excited,” Andres said. “I love pride and I love the Pride Meet. I like to get dressed up and put my rainbow on my face and feel loved by my team. I'm fully myself.”
The Pride Meet comes not just at a time when Andres is feeling
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embraced, but when the team is feeling especially whole.
UCLA has received contributions from several gymnasts in multiple events this season. Fourteen of the 20 gymnasts on the Bruins' roster have competed in at least one event. In the most recent meet against Washington, seven gymnasts placed or tied to finish in the top three in every event.
The depth helped the Bruins record a season-high final score and season-best scores in all four events in defeating Washington on Jan. 27.
“It really feels like a team this year because there are so many different people that are filling different roles for us,” UCLA second-year coach Janelle McDonald said. “It's really exciting because it really helps everybody feel like they're a part of the big competitive picture.”
Gymnasts have also had the opportunity to do exhibition routines, which prepares for more depth down the line. Andres scored a 9.800 in her score exhibition against Washington, Madisyn Anyimi hit a 9.700 vault and Brooklyn Moors recorded 9.250 on balance beam after a fall.
The coaching staff has encouraged exhibition routines early in the season to get gymnasts ready for potential situations in which they have to step in for a teammate due to injury or absence. For example, Emma Malabuyo is expected to miss multiple meets due to elite gymnastics obligations.
“Our conversation with some of the people that are on the bubble is just basically to constantly be ready,” McDonald said. “Be mentally and physically confident to be able to fill those roles when needed. And the team's doing that really, really well.”
Breaking into a lineup can affect individual confidence, which permeates into the overall team attitude. Andres said her mental approach of practicing gratitude and taking advantage of all opportunities has helped her enter the beam lineup. From there, her confidence has flourished.
“She has a warrior's mentality as far as the silent grind,” sixthyear Bruin Margzetta Frazier said. “She looks beautiful. Her beam is gorgeous. I want her to keep competing it and I hope she can compete her bar routine team soon because it's very unique.”
Frazier is currently competing in uneven bars but hopes to compete on floor by Feb. 25, which also happens to be her birthday. An ankle injury has prevented her from floor competition, but she is tumbling once a week and McDonald said they are close to coming up with a definitive timeline for her return.
It would deepen UCLA's talent even more, but every Bruins gymnast and coach emphasizes the importance of everyone on the team, whether they're winning the all-around, cheering on their teammates or moving the mats.
“We're very connected and bonded,” Andres said. “Everyone wants it so bad. And everyone's just so fun and sweet. This year, it feels different.”