Just two dual meets remain on UCLA gymnastics’ schedule before the postseason begins, meaning eyes are starting to turn to the Bruins’ national qualifying score.
Their 197.460 ranks 10th in the nation and would hypothetically qualify them for the NCAA postseason if it were happening next week, but head coach Janelle McDonald wants to see that number increase before the regular season ends.
“The talent we have on this team and what we’re capable of doing as a team is not in line with where our current ranking is, but it is the reflection of what we’ve done this season,” she said.
The Bruins have the chance to get closer to their potential and elevate their national qualifying score in Saturday’s meet at No. 18 Arizona State.
McDonald and two gymnasts told reporters Thursday that getting confident, staying healthy and strengthening its depth are three of UCLA’s objectives heading into the final stretch of dual meets.
“So that we can hit the postseason and really, really put our best foot forward and really push to be at the national championship,” McDonald said. “And be on the final night, which is absolutely where I think we can hit.”
Chae Campbell did not compete in floor exercise in UCLA’s 197.175-196.725 win over Stanford on March 1, marking her fifth absence in the event. She last performed her Black Panther-themed routine on Jan. 27.
The coaching staff chose to rest her in the event and Campbell has been working her way back into it while competing on vault, uneven bars and balance beam. McDonald said the senior is doing all her tumbling passes again in practice but will not be in the floor lineup this weekend.
“We’re really trying to build her up to make sure we have her for the postseason at full strength and ready to go,” McDonald said. “And so we’re being pretty cautious with that.”
The team has increased awareness of the possibility of injury flare-ups that can come from competing every weekend and is taking recovery seriously.
Injuries, paired with Emma Malabuyo’s elite gymnastics obligations, have caused lineups to fluctuate over the season but has given gymnasts who are on the “bubble” of making a lineup the chance to prove themselves. Sophomore Maddie Anyimi and freshman Alex Irvine have improved their scores through the experience.
Irvine and graduate student Chloe Lashbrooke each made their competitive debut on floor in the Stanford meet and scored 9.750 and 9.825, respectively.
“I was so excited to go in last week,” Lashbrooke said. “I felt like it was perfect timing for me. I felt super confident, prepared, healthy and I was ready to go and I was asked to step up and I couldn’t ask for more.”
Malabuyo returned from Olympic qualifying events to score a 9.925 on beam, but scored an 8.675 on bars.
The Bruins also recorded a season-low 49.100 on vault and dropped from a No. 4 tie in the event in the national rankings to No. 7. They also tied their lowest score of the season on floor against Stanford.
There have been consistent performers, however. Emily Lee leads off on vault, beam and floor and scored 9.850 or higher in each event in the Stanford meet. She also told reporters Thursday that she’s ready to go on bars if called upon.
She’s been working with the coaching staff to balance her training in a way that can best preserve her body while challenging herself. Lee’s steadfastness has been an anchor for UCLA as the postseason draws near.
“We talked a lot about attitude and how we present ourselves,” Lee said. “How we respond in certain situations. That was a big topic for us this week and what we can work to fix.
No. 18 UCLA vs. No. 18 Arizona State
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Desert Financial Arena, Tempe, Arizona
TV: Pac-12 Network