Gymnastike recently spoke to UCLA Gymnastics head coach, Valorie Kondos Field

 

How has training been going this summer for the UCLA Bruins?

We have 8 incoming freshmen who joined us in August for summer school. They worked hard on strength and conditioning. The other coaches and I can’t believe how diligent these girls are. They don’t waste any time and are excited to be Bruins. 

What do you think it will take for UCLA to get back to the Super Six and win a national title? 

We need to stay healthy! We had some big gymnasts out with injury last year; Mattie Larson and Peng-Peng Lee. To help protect against injury we are switching things up this year. We plan to get the gymnasts ready with routines and for season earlier in the fall. This will allow us give the gymnasts a break before season starts, and take the load off the big guns. 

Who do you see stepping up to be a leader for your team this year?

Sam Peszek is a natural leader for our team. She has come a long way as a leader since her freshman and sophomore year where she was a leader with her gymnastics. She has developed into a well-rounded leader with integrity and intention. Peszek is also a great cheerleader for the team and is excited for the role of a leader. Danusia Francis is primed to also take a leadership role after two successful years. She is loved by her teammates and well respected. She is the prefect combo of a hard worker but can also have fun. 

 

What affects has Jordyn Wieber had on your program? 

Jordan is wonderful! She is such a competitor and she does everything 110%. She is loving everything about UCLA and is just as humble as she is great. Jordan is a great example for all of us. She is more than willing to help anywhere need; from moving mats, to filling water bottles, to being a cheerleader. I just think it is such a bummer that Jordan’s career had to be over because she accepted money. She is being penalized for rules in place for football and basketball. 

You are known for your unique choreography, any insight into this year’s routines? 

I haven’t started on the routines for this year yet. When I do get started I work with Eric Larson (Mattie’s dad) on music, he has been helping us for over 15 years. When making routines I have always thought of them as choreographed dance routines with tumbling added. I always try to add one memorable thing to each person’s routine that will provide a “wow moment” that people with remember. I also take into account our entire floor team and make a whole performance throughout our six routines. When I start choreography I will have 80% done before I meet with the gymnast. I then will create a story/character for the gymnast to help them connect to the music and move better. 

What is most impressive to you about Danusia's beam dismount? 

We have to remember that gymnastic meets is about entertainment. We have to wow and excite those who come to a meet and create a buzz. We are competing for the entertainment dollar. Having Danuia compete that dismount was a no brainer as it created a buzz and got people talking. Last season we had an average of 1,000 more people at our meets, and I feel that 500 of them were coming to see the girl with the crazy hair do the crazy dismount! I was frustrated with the deductions she often took last year of .05 due to the pause before her dismount. I personally feel that this took her out of beam finals. She is doing an E dismount that has never been done before, and that should be taken into consideration. With that, it was never a question of her doing it, she was going to compete it every week!  Watch Danusia's amazing dismount here! 

Anything else you would like the fans to know?

I am really happy to be healthy! In the past few years we have been waiting for gymnasts to get cleared by doctors to start gymnastics again. This year we don’t have that. I am beyond excited to have Peng-Peng back this year. She is on a different level with her gymnastics and she is going to light up the gymnastics world!  

 

Tune in tomorrow to see our interview with UCLA 5th year senior, Sam Peszek. 

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