UCLA Club Sports

Last year, UCLA Club Gymnastics took second place at Regionals.

This year, they are hungry for a first-place finish.

In one of the most competitive levels in the NAIGC, the Bruins fell short of winning the XCEL Platinum team title last year. UC Davis shined in their performances, led by senior Tiffany Zheng, who led them to their victorious result.

UCLA Club Gymnastics is set to travel to Scottsdale, Arizona to compete in this year's edition of NAIGC Western Regionals on February 19th. The meet will be hosted by the Arizona Phoenixes for the second year in a row, offering WAG, MAG, and TNT disciplines. 

Put up against some of the most competitive collegiate gymnastics clubs in the country, the Bruins are ready for their first competition of the year. To prepare, the Bruins hosted their annual intrasquad on January 31st, 2024. 

At the Intrasquad, many new faces wore the blue and gold for the first time. Freshman Makenna Damhorst made her debut as a Bruin, hitting her Maloney in her bar set. A Maloney, named after UCLA gymnastics alumni Kristin Maloney, is a "D" rated transition from the low to high bar. The skill is recognized as one of the hardest transition skills on uneven bars.

Despite Damhorst showing strong routines at the intrasquad, the Bay Area native will be absent from this weekend's meet. Another notable absence is sophomore Siena Hunt, the reigning Level 8 regional champion on floor. Their collective absences take a hit to the Bruins' depth, but junior Isabel Folkers is looking to take the floor title after placing second behind Hunt in last year's competition.

UCLA also competed on floor at the intrasquad. The Bruins had the opportunity to show off their new routines, choreographed by senior Joshua Lim. Lim, one of the co-presidents, choreographed routines for the entire team, including his own Attack on Titan themed floor routine.

Lim said he is excited for this weekend's competition.

"I'm looking forward to the debut of our new floor routines," Lim said. "Our new members have been working so hard on perfecting their new choreography, and I can't wait to see them shine on the competition   stage!"

Junior Alexander Kotnik is planning to compete a Yurchenko 1.5 for the first time in NAIGC competition this weekend. After competing a safe Yurchenko full last year, which notched a massive 9.800 in last year's regional competition, Kotnik feels ready to compete the difficult vault in this weekend's competition.

For freshman Juliana Gagliardi, the meet marks her first competition since finishing her high school and club career last year. Gagliardi has been consistent in the gym for the past two quarters and has an exciting floor routine with lots of eye-catching choreography. 

Before her time at UCLA, Gagliardi notched First-Team All-State honors during her high school gymnastics career. The Connecticut native claimed multiple top-five finishes at the State Open and had a 35.48 average in the all-around during her senior season. As a high honor roll student, Gagliardi shined and is looking to do the same at UCLA.

For Gagliardi, being part of the team means more than just doing gymnastics.

"I'm super excited to spend time and bond with my teammates this weekend!!" Gagliardi said.

Following the competition, the Bruins are looking forward to some rest and bonding with the team before they head home Monday morning.

Article by Aaron Doyle