Getting to Know the 2014-2015 UCLA Freshmen

Getting to Know the 2014-2015 UCLA Freshmen

Oct 21, 2014 by Kati Breazeal
Getting to Know the 2014-2015 UCLA Freshmen

Image via UCLA Press Release

In this edition of the NCAA Freshmen, we’re looking at the new UCLA Bruins. In the 2013-2014 season, UCLA took first in seven meets under long-time Head Coach Valorie Kondos Field. Historically, the Bruins have won 15 Pac-12 Conference Championships, 18 Regional Championships, and 6 NCAA Championships, the latest one being in 2010. 

The seven new freshmen will be looking to contribute towards another NCAA title in 2015. What do you think of the Bruin's newest class? Let us know in the comment section below!
 
Rechelle Dennis 
Dix Hills, N.Y. (Gold Medal Gymnastics Center-Huntington )
 
Dennis has been competing as a level 10 since she first qualified to J.O. Nationals in 2010. In the season of 2013, she became the State and Regional Champion, qualifying to Nationals for the 4th consecutive year. 2014 was a successful year for Rechelle, winning the uneven bars and all-around titles at the State and Regional competitions. At J.O. Nationals later that year, she placed 9th on floor and 22nd in the all-around. 
 
Karli Dugas
Ventura, Calif. (Ventura HS) (GymJam)
 
Napualani Hall 
Kansas City, Mo. (Fuzion Gymnastics)
 
Hall began her level 10 career in 2007 where she was the Regional all-around Champion. In 2011, she qualified to Senior International Elite, where she won a bronze medal on vault at the American Classic. Due to a knee injury, Pua dropped back to level 10, where she became the 2013 State and Regional all-around champion, and placed 6th in the all-around and first on vault at J.O. Nationals. In 2014, Hall placed second in the all-around at the State Championships, but did not compete at Regionals due to an injury. 
 
"Pua is one of the best vaulters in the country, and vault is an event where we really need to bulk up our depth.” UCLA Head Coach Valorie Kondos Field stated of Hall in a UCLA Press Release


JaNay Honest
Visalia, Calif. (Central California Gymnastics Institute )

Honest began competing level 10 in 2010, and has had a successful career since. In 2013, Honest finished fourth all-around at the State Championships, and finished tenth at Regionals. At the 2014 level 10 State Championships, she won the floor title and took third all-around. She placed second all-around at Regionals later in 2014, and competed at the J.O. National Championships. 


Video By iloveccgi
 
LaNiesha-Jopré Irvin
Eastvale, Calif. (Winner’s Academy Of Gymnastics)
 
As a level 10, Irvin competed at the 2013 State Championships where she third on vault. At the Regional Championships later that year, she claimed silver on vault, and 15th in the all-around. At the State Championships earlier this year, Irvin finished first on floor and fourth in the all-around. 
 
Sonya Meraz
Santa Monica, Calif. (All Olympia Gymnastics Center )
 
Meraz is an solid all-around gymnast who previously trained under Galina Marinova and Artur Akopyan at All Olympia Gymnastics Center. As a level 10, she was the JO NIT Champion in 2013, and continued her streak of success into the following year. At the 2014 level 10 State meet, Meraz on the uneven bars title, and was the 2014 Regional floor champion. 


 
Melissa Metcalf
Mesa, Ariz. (Desert Devils)
 
Metclaf began her level 10 career at the age of 11 in 2007, where she finished fourth all-around at the J.O. National Championships. After competing a few meets as an elite competitor, and battling injuries, she bounced back and won the all-around titles at the 2013 State and Regional Level 10 Championships. At the J.O Championships later that year, Metcalf placed fifth in the all-around. In the season of 2014, Melissa won the State all-around title, and placed 13th at Regionals. 
 
Melissa brings the ability to score high on all four events.” Kondos Field stated in the UCLA Press Release. 



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