UCLA has been one of the dominant teams in NCAA WomenÂ’s Gymnastics since the collegiate sport was first introduced in the early 1980s. The team didnÂ’t win their first championship title until 1997, but thereafter won five more times - in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2010. All of their titles have been won under the leadership of head coach Valorie Kondos Field.

But despite the teamÂ’s superb leadership and talented roster, the Bruins have failed to bring home a championship title over the past five seasons. In fact, their ranking has actually steadily declined since their win in 2010, and they finished in 11th place in 2015.

Not making it through to Super Six, for the second year in a row, was undoubtedly unsettling for UCLA. How will they adjust their strategy to improve this year? Below, we take a look at what talent the Bruins have to work with in 2016, event by event.

Vault

Vault was a weak point for UCLA during Semifinals last year, and it is perhaps going to be the toughest event for the team to improve on, given the new rules concerning start values. Sadiqua Bynum, capable of performing a Yurchenko 1 ½,  will be a key vaulter for the team in 2016. She scored consistently high last year, but had some issues in post-season. The Bruins will likely rely on her to be one of their 9.9+ vaulters. Peng Peng Lee, who started competing vault consistently at the end of February last season, can also score highly with her Yurchenko full, as can sophomore JaNay Honest. Sophomore Sonya Meraz only competed vault a few times last year, a Yurchenko full, but she scored 9.8 or higher each time. Junior Angi Cipra did not vault in every meet last season, but she was used during Semifinals. She also performed a Yurchenko full, however she sometimes struggled with landings and scored in the 9.7s more than once.

The Bruins will unfortunately have to manage without Samantha Peszek this year, their strongest all-arounder who could be relied upon for those 9.9+ vaults. The incoming freshmen will likely have a role on this event, particularly Madison Preston, a Level 10 Vault National Champion who performs a Yurchenko full. ItÂ’s possible they may also use Katelyn Ohashi, who performed a clean Yurchenko full in Level 10 and used to perform a double in her elite days. Lastly, Stella Savvidou, who competed for Cyprus at the World Championships this year, just enrolled at UCLA for the winter quarter and will compete for the team during the 2016 season. Savvidou won the Australian Level 10 National vault title earlier this year and competes a clean Yurchenko full.

Bars

While the Bruins will miss Peszek on this event, the teamÂ’s lineup on bars is actually quite strong otherwise with their returning gymnasts. Lee will likely be counted on for the 9.9+ scores, and for dazzling us all with her crazy difficult release moves. Senior Danusia Francis will also be counted on for her consistency. While she doesnÂ’t have the most difficult routine, her scores hovered around 9.875 for most of last season, and she competed at every meet.

Additional returning bar workers include Meraz, Sophina DeJesus and Hallie Mossett. All three were a bit inconsistent on bars in the beginning of the 2015 season, but gradually improved and were performing strongly by the end of February.

Sophomore Melissa Metcalf may play a role on this event. She did not compete last season due a knee injury, but she was the 2013 Level 10 National Bars Champion. Fellow sophomore Rechelle Dennis also didnÂ’t compete last year, but she did exhibit on bars, scoring 9.825 on one of the routines. ItÂ’s possible she may also compete for a spot in the lineup. 

Beam

UCLAÂ’s beam lineup is similar to bars. They will miss Peszek, but they otherwise have a good lineup that will be strengthened by the incoming freshmen. Francis is probably the teamÂ’s best beam worker going into the 2016 season. She tied for 3rd nationally last season with a RQS of 9.92. Lee was right behind Francis, placing 7th nationally last season and often scoring just short of a perfect 10. DeJesus was a staple in the lineup last season and was a consistent competitor. If she can clean up little things like steps on landing next season, she should be able to put in good scores for the Bruins. Meraz also did well for the team last year after being placed in the lineup in February, but her scores tended to hover around 9.85 or lower, and the team will need a few more 9.9+ routines moving forward this season. Junior Mikaela Gerber competed beam for much of last season, but her scores were inconsistent, often due to little bobbles and steps on landing.

Fortunately, the Bruins have a few very talented freshmen coming in, number 1 being Ohashi, who boasted one of the most difficult beam routines in the world during her elite days. She competed beam several times in 2015 before heading off to UCLA, all strong performances. Check out her beam routine below from the 2015 WOGA Classic. 


No doubt the team will be counting on Ohashi as one of their consistently high scorers. Fellow freshmen Macy Toronjo and Nicki Shapiro could also potentially contribute here, and may be competing for spots in the lineup.

Floor

Floor is the event where the Bruins probably have the most talent to work with. Even without counting the incoming freshmen, the team have enough gymnasts to make a lineup. Bynum is leading the pack - she had the highest RQS on the team last season, a 9.925, thanks to her great execution and powerful tumbling. Francis will also be a strong contributor on floor, sporting difficult tumbling and unbelievable flexibility. Currently, Bynum and Francis are the teamÂ’s 9.9+ floor workers. Cipra has the potential to be one of those 9.9+ gymnasts on this event as well. She had several really good meets last season, and she not only displays impressive tumbling, but she brings so much personality to her routine as well. Her challenge in 2016 is going to be consistency in her tumbling.

Gerber, Meraz and sophomore Pua Hall were all used sporadically in the lineup last year. Gerber performed particularly well toward the end of the season, but neither her nor Hall scored above a 9.85. Meraz has the potential to score around 9.9, but her performance was a bit inconsistent last year.

Then thereÂ’s the freshmen. Ohashi demonstrated some of her floor choreography recently and itÂ’s expected she will compete for a spot in the lineup. Toronjo may also be in the mix as the 2015 Level 10 floor national champion.

With the brilliant leadership of Miss Val, talented veterans and impressive freshmen, we hope to see UCLA back at the Super Six in 2016. Do you think this year's team has what it takes? Let us know what you think!

Related:
UCLA 19-Strong for 2015-2016 Season
UCLA's Jennifer Pinches Medically Retires, Takes on New Role
Beyond the Routine with Miss Val and the Bruins, episode 1 (PRO)