#4 UCLA

In preseason, the Bruins have been ranked in the top 5 every year since 1998. UCLA is one of the most prestigious programs in collegiate gymnastics with six national titles. The Bruins struggled with injuries last season but gave an inspiring performance at the NCAA Championships to place fourth. Sadly, the Bruins will have to go another season without Canadian star Peng Peng Lee. The red-shirt freshman will have to wait another year for her NCAA debut following her second knee surgery. 

 

 

The Bruins return five All-Americans from last year’s team with Olivia Courtney, Sydney Sawa, Samantha Peszek, Danusia Francis and Sophina DeJesus. Samantha Peszek, 2008 Olympian, missed the entire 2013 season with an Achilles injury and her return is huge for the Bruins.  Another star, is former British World Team member Danusia Francis, who is known for her incredible flexibility and unbelievable dismount on beam. Watch here.

 

The Bruins squad includes an exciting 2014 freshman class featuring 2012 Level 10 national floor champion Angi Cipra, 2012 British Olympian Jennifer Pinches, former U.S. National Team member Hallie Mossett    

 

Note: The Bruins have NEVER lost a season opener at home. 

  

#1 FLORIDA

The defending NCAA Champion Florida Gators will begin their 2014 season in the same arena where they made history in 2013, UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.  Even though Florida had a disastrous start to the 2013 Super Six Final, the Gators nailed the rest of their routines and Florida became the fifth school EVER to win the NCAA Championship. In addition, the Gators won the 2013 SEC and Gainesville Regional titles. 

Florida’s 2014 roster includes 2013 NCAA All-Around Champion Bridget Sloan, 2010 World silver medalist Mackenzie Caquatto, 2012 NCAA all-around champion Kytra Hunter and 2013 NCAA uneven bars champion Alaina Johnson. Sophomore Bridget Sloan is the first American to win a U.S. national title, a world title and an NCAA title in the all-around. Florida returns 17 of 24 routines it competed last season.

 

The Gators have a small but talented freshman class with former elite and 2012 Junior Olympic all-around champion Claire Boyce and Spanish World team member Silvia Colussi-Pelaez. 

 

Note: Florida Head Coach Rhonda Faehn was a two-time All-American for UCLA and competed for Valorie Kondos-Field in her first two seasons as the Bruins’ head coach.

Follow the Weekend's Biggest Matchup
Suri Serano of Gymnastike will be providing on-site coverage of Saturday's Florida/UCLA shootout! 
Follow LIVE competition updates at this link, and watch video interviews and more at this link.

Don't miss episode one of Beyond the Routine with Bridget Sloan and the Florida Gators, set to premiere Tuesday, January 14. Click here to watch the trailer.