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Arizona Gymnastics Uses Meet at UCLA to Prep for Regionals

By Peggy McClain

Jan 28, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of McKale Center during the second half of the game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks won 83-75. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of McKale Center during the second half of the game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks won 83-75. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Arizona Gymnastics traveled to Westwood on Saturday to take on the No. 6 UCLA Bruins, who have two Olympians on their roster. 

Despite losing the match , the short-handed Arizona Gymnastics team set a new season high score of 196.275.

Zona Zealots also traveled to Pauley Pavilion to cheer on the GymCats. High scores, not overall records, are what will pave the way for Arizona to be invited to regional competition in March. Last week at Washington, the Wildcats had to deal with the sudden loss of Skyler Sheppard with a knee injury. Her teammates appeared nervous throughout the remainder of the meet.

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However on Saturday, they gymnasts appeared loose and confident. Even though there was an early fall on the uneven bars by Haylie Hendrickson, the remaining gymnasts didn’t seem fazed. With no options to toss any further scores, the always steady junior Victoria Ortiz finished the rotation flying high with a 9.90 and the Wildcats had a slight lead after the first rotation.

One of the best news of the day is the return of Maddy Cindric to the line-up. The junior suffered a broken toe earlier in the season, so her return is timely with regionals just ahead. She entered the competition on the vault and stuck the landing for a 9.75.

https://twitter.com/AZGymnastics/status/836333941791449088

As the match went on, the Arizona Wildcats appeared to be having more and more fun. Of course UCLA was outstanding, especially with their Olympians. However, a few Wildcats deserve some attention. Junior Kennady Schneider always excels on the floor exercises. Saturday she took it right at UCLA and scored a 9.90!

And what better place for a freshman to compete for the first time on the floor? Chrissy Berg did great for her first time on the big stage.

https://twitter.com/AZGymnastics/status/835611132345790464

Arizona finished the competition on the balance beam. Unfortunately they are only ranked No. 37 in the country due to a few too many falls. The talent is there, but some consistency is needed. The Wildcats delivered against the Bruins.

Arizona will take the momentum from Saturday’s meet to their final home competition this Sunday. Who better to close out McKale than with the School up North? Here are the details:

https://twitter.com/AZGymnastics/status/837097826278498304

If all goes as it should, Arizona will be celebrating a win over the Sun Devil basketball team the day before in Tempe, and they can finish off the weekend with a sweep over the Sun Devils in gymnastics. This weekend is a great opportunity to pick up some points in the Territorial Cup rivalry.

Get to know your GymCats!

Next: Miller Calms the Fans After the Loss to UCLA

Good luck to Arizona Gymnastics. Get some Arizona Sticks and Beat the Sun Devils.

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