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2007 UCLA Women’s Gymnastics 1
Th e 2007 Season
The 2007 Season2007 UCLA Gymnastics Schedule .........................IFCMedia Information ...................................................... 22007 Roster ................................................................... 3Season Prospectus ...................................................... 4TV/Radio Roster ........................................................... 5
Bruin BiographiesHead Coach Valorie Kondos Field ........................... 6Assistant Coach Chris Waller..................................... 8Assistant Coach Marshall Nelson ............................. 9Undergraduate Assistants/Managers ..................... 9Returning Athlete Biographies ..............................10Newcomer Biographies ...........................................17
The 2006 Season2006 Season In Review ............................................192006 Season Results/Best Marks ............................20
The HistoryUCLA’s National Team Champions ........................21UCLA’s Individual National Champions ................24UCLA at the NCAA Championships .......................26UCLA’s Regional Champions ...................................28Decades of NCAA Excellence ..................................29Bruin Honor Roll ........................................................30UCLA's All-Americans ...............................................31UCLA in the Pacifi c-10 Conference ........................34UCLA’s Academic Excellence ..................................36Letterwinners, 1979-Present ..................................37National/International Competition .....................38UCLA Gymnastics Hall of Famers ...........................40
The Record BooksBruin 10.0 Scorers .....................................................41Top 10 Scorers ............................................................44UCLA’s Gymnastics Arenas ......................................45All-Time Record & Series Records ..........................46
The Opponents2007 Opponent Information ..................................47
UCLA TraditionsWhere Are They Now? ..............................................48Legacy Endowment ..................................................50Bruin 10.0 Club ..........................................................50Spectator Guide .........................................................51Administrators/Key Athletic Dept. Staff ...............52Athletic Department Staff Directory .....................53This Is UCLA ................................................................54
The UCLA Experience .................................................. i
On the Cover: Pictured, clockwise from left to right: Ariana Berlin, Tasha Schwikert, Kristina Comforte and Jordan Schwikert. Art from the UCLA Sculpture Garden. Credits: The 2007 UCLA gymnastics media guide was written and designed by Liza David, UCLA Assistant Sports Information Director. Front cover design by Karen Wang. Printing by Marina Graphics. Primary photography by ASUCLA Campus Studio (Don Liebig and Todd Cheney). Cover photography by James Scieszinski. Additional photography by Jeff Sipsey, Johnny Race, Richard Baillif, Jack Chance, Ron Ken-nedy, Grace Chiu, Lloyd Smith, Patrick Tower and Randy Chow. Special thanks to Getty Images, ASUCLA Photography, Berliner Studios, Andrew Bernstein, Ruth Chambers, the Los Angeles Visitors and Conven-tion Bureau and Scott Quintard for their photos in the UCLA Experience. Purchase: Copies of the 2007 gymnastics media guide can be purchased in person at the UCLA Ticket Offi ce for $6.00. By mail, make checks payable for $8.00 to UC Regents and mail to UCLA Sports Information Offi ce, PO Box 24044, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
About This Publication
Valorie Kondos Field and Chris Waller celebrate after winning the 2004 NCAA Championship
Ariana Berlin
Luisa Portocarrero
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Quick Facts
General InformationAthletics Phone ...................................... (310) 825-8699Ticket Offi ce ........................................... (310) UCLA-WINLocation ..................................................Los Angeles, CAEnrollment .............................................................. 36,890Founded ......................................................................1919Colors ..........................................................Blue and GoldNickname ................................................................. BruinsConference ........................................................Pacifi c-10Conference Phone ................................. (925) 932-4411National Affi liation ................................ NCAA Division I
University PersonnelActing Chancellor ..................................... Norm AbramsDirector of Athletics ..................................Dan GuerreroSr. Women’s Administrator ...................... Petrina LongFaculty Athletic Rep. ...........................Donald Morrison
UCLA Gymnastics InformationHead Coach ...............Valorie Kondos Field (UCLA ’87)Coach’s Phone ......................................... (310) 206-6420Record at UCLA (Years) ............................ 322-68-1 (16)Career Record (Years) .............................................. sameAssistant Coaches ........ Chris Waller, Marshall NelsonAthletic Trainer ........................................ Lorita Granger2006 Record ................................................................21-62006 Post-Season ............ 3rd, South Central Regional
Gymnastics FacilityHome Arena (Cap.) .................Pauley Pavilion (12,819)Training Facility .............................................. Yates GymMeet Director ...............................................Janet Ferrari
Sports InformationGymnastics SID ................................................Liza DavidSports Information Phone .................... (310) 206-8140Sports Information FAX ........................ (310) 825-8664E-mail Address [email protected] Address ...........................J.D. Morgan Center, .............. 325 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095Athletics Hotline ..................................... (310) 825-8575Web Site .......................................www.uclabruins.com
Table Of Contents
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Press CredentialsMedia and photography credentials for UCLA home meets may be obtained by working press only by writing or calling Liza David at the UCLA Sports Information Offi ce, PO Box 24044, Los Angeles, CA 90024, (310) 206-8140, [email protected]. All requests should be submit-ted at least 24 hours in advance. Press and photo credentials can be picked up at lower gate two of Pauley Pavilion.
PhotographyTelevision and photo credentials entitle video and still photographers to shoot from designated spots on the fl oor. Please consult with sports information staff to fi nd out where the photog-raphy areas are. Flash and strobe photography is strictly forbidden.
Interview PoliciesAll interviews must be arranged by the Sports Information Offi ce. Athletes have been instructed not to grant any interview, in person or by tele-phone, not arranged by the Sports Information Offi ce. Telephone numbers are private and will not be released. Please do not expect team members to be available if you have not made prior arrangements.
Interview AvailabilityThe UCLA team is scheduled to practice Tuesday-Friday from 8-11 am at UCLA’s Yates Gym in the John Wooden Center. Gymnasts and coaches are available after practice, depending on class sched-ules. Arrangements for access to the gym must be made in advance to the Sports Information Offi ce. The best time to reach Head Coach Valorie Kondos Field in her offi ce is after 1 pm.
Media Information
Local NewspapersLOS ANGELES TIMES202 West First St.Los Angeles, CA 90012(p)213-237-7145(f)213-237-7876latimes.com
ORANGE CO. REGISTER625 N. Grand Ave.Santa Ana, CA 92711(p)714-796-7817(f)714-565-6765ocregister.com
LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWSPO Box 4200Woodland Hi l ls , CA 91365(p)818-713-3600(f)818-713-3436dailynews.com
USA TODAY10866 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 890Los Angeles, CA 90024(p)310-882-2400(f)310-882-1901usatoday.com
Gymnastics OutletsINTERNATIONAL GYM-NAST MAGAZINEP.O. Box 721020Norman, OK 73070(p)405-447-9988(f)405-973-2627intlgymnast.com
INSIDE GYMNASTICSP.O. Box 88605Atlanta, GA 30356(p)770-352-7331(f)770-234-6733insidegymnastics.com
Travel InformationFor security purposes, the UCLA Sports Information Offi ce does not release to the general public any travel information for UCLA athletic teams. If you would like to reach a member of the UCLA gymnastics team on the road, please contact the Sports Information Offi ce.
Obtaining InformationUCLA gymnastics news, results, statistics, biographies, diaries, Q&As and more can be found at uclabruins.com.
Live ScoringLive scoring is available for all of UCLA’s home meets at uclabruins.com.
Streaming VideoLive streaming video of UCLA’s home meets will be available at uclabruins.com. The UCLA All-Access pass allows fans to view live streaming video for all fi ve of UCLA’s regular season meets, as well as audio and video of other UCLA athletic events. Users will need a high speed internet connection and Windows Media Player.
Pauley PavilionPauley Pavilion is located on the campus of UCLA. From Los Angeles International Airport, take Cen-tury Blvd. east to the San Diego Freeway (405). Take the San Diego Freeway north to Wilshire Blvd. East. Turn left on Westwood Blvd. and stop at the parking kiosk. Parking is available in Lots 6 or 8 for $8.
UCLA’s Primary Media OutletsRIVERSIDE PRESS-ENTER-PRISE3512 14th St.Riverside, CA 92502(p)951-368-9355(f)951-368-9029pe.com
SOUTH BAY DA I LY BREEZE5215 Torrance Blvd.Torrance, CA 90509(p)310-540-4201(f)310-540-3067dailybreeze.com
LONG BEACH PRESS-TELEGRAM604 Pine Ave.Long Beach, CA 90844(p)562-499-1338(f)562-437-8914ptconnect.com
PASADENA STAR NEWS/SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIB.1210 N. Azusa Canyon Rd.West Covina, CA 91790(p)626-962-8811(f)626-856-2758pasadenastarnews.comsgvtribune.com
UCLA DAILY BRUIN308 Westwood PlazaLos Angeles, CA 90095(p)310-825-2095(f)310-206-0906dailybruin.ucla.edu
National NewspapersASSOCIATED PRESS221 So. Figueroa, S 300Los Angeles, CA 90012(p)213-626-1200(f)213-346-0200ap.org
Television StationsKCBS (Ch. 2)/KCAL (Ch. 9)6121 Sunset Blvd.Hollywood, CA 90028(p)323-460-3252(f)323-460-3337
NBC4 (Ch. 4)3000 W. Alameda Ave.Burbank, CA 91523(p)818-840-4237(f)818-840-3076
KABC (Ch. 7)500 Circle Seven Dr.Glendale, CA 91201(p)818-863-7677(f)818-863-7889
KTLA (Ch. 5)5800 Sunset Blvd.Hollywood, CA 90028(p)323-460-5907(f)323-460-5404
KTTV (Ch. 11)/KCOP (Ch. 13)1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90025(p)310-584-2030(f)310-584-2168
John Wooden CenterThe John Wooden Center is located on the campus of UCLA. From Los Angeles International Airport, take Century Blvd. east to the San Diego Freeway (405). Take the San Diego Freeway north to Sunset Blvd. going East. Turn right at Westwood Plaza. Parking is straight ahead at Lot 4. A daily parking pass costs $8.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPORTS REPORT1111 S. Figueroa St., First Floor, Suite 108Los Angeles, CA 90016(p)213-763-4646(f)213-763-4633
ESPN/ESPN21545 So. Disneyland Dr.Anaheim, CA 92802(p)714-254-2200(f)714-300-3760
Radio StationsXTRA SPORTS 690/11503400 Olive Ave. #550Burbank, CA 91505(p)818-559-2252(f)818-729-2511
UCLA RADIO NETWORKc/o Michael SondheimerJ.D. Morgan Center325 Westwood PlazaLos Angeles, CA 90095(p) 310-825-8699(f) 310-825-6732www.uclabruins.com
Tasha Schwikert is interviewed by Fox Sports
2007 UCLA Women’s Gymnastics 3
Th e 2007 Season
Gymnast Ht. Yr. Hometown (Club/Previous School)Ariana Berlin 5-2 So. San Diego, CA (SCEGA/Patrick Henry HS)Kristina Comforte 5-4 So. Burr Ridge, IL (Illinois Gymnastics Institute/Lyons Township HS)Janelle Dantzscher 5-3 So. San Dimas, CA (SCEGA/Champion Gymnastics/San Dimas HS)Ashley Jenkins 5-3 Fr. Laguna Niguel, CA (SCATS/Mater Dei HS)Anna Li 5-3 Fr. Aurora, IL (Aerial Gymnastics/Waubonsie Valley HS)Brittani McCullough 5-4 Fr. Corona, CA (SCEGA/Centennial HS)Natalie Padilla 5-4 Jr. San Diego, CA (SCEGA/Univ. of Iowa/Bonita Vista HS)Ashley Peckett 5-1 Sr. Mississauga, ON (Gymnastics Mississauga/Port Credit Secondary)Michelle Selesky 5-6 Sr. San Juan Capistrano, CA (NGTC/Aliso Niguel HS)Jordan Schwikert 5-4 Jr. Las Vegas, NV (Gymcats/Centennial HS)Tasha Schwikert 5-2 Jr. Las Vegas, NV (Gymcats/Centennial HS)
Head Coach: Valorie Kondos Field (17th year)Assistant Coaches: Chris Waller (5th year), Marshall Nelson (3rd year)Undergraduate Assistant Coaches: Jennifer Sutton, Lindsey Vanden Eykel, Courtney WalkerTeam Managers: Ashley Martin, Alyssa KitasoeHead Trainer: Lorita GrangerStudent Trainers: Stephanie Adams, Ann Tran
2007 UCLA Gymnastics Team: Top row (l-r): Brittani McCullough, Kristina Comforte, Natalie Padilla, Jordan Schwikert, Anna Li, Michelle Selesky. Front row (l-r): Tasha Schwikert, Ariana Berlin, Ashley Jenkins, Janelle Dantzscher, Ashley Peckett.
2007 Roster
Class Breakdown:Seniors (2): Ashley Peckett, Mi-chelle Selesky
Juniors (3): Natalie Padilla, Jordan Schwikert, Tasha Schwikert
Sophomores (3): Ariana Berlin, Kris-tina Comforte, Janelle Dantzscher
Freshmen (3): Ashley Jenkins, Anna Li, Brittani McCullough
Roster by State:California (6): Ariana Berlin, Janelle Dantzscher, Ashley Jenkins, Brit-tani McCullough, Natalie Padilla, Michelle Selesky
Canada (1): Ashley PeckettIllinois (2): Kristina Comforte, Anna Li
Nevada (2): Jordan Schwikert, Tasha Schwikert
Pronunciations:Ariana Berlin are-ee-ON-uh
Kristina Comforte com-FORTY
Janelle Dantzscher DAN-sher
Brittani McCullough Muh-CULL-uh
Michelle Selesky Suh-LESS-key
Jordan/Tasha Schwikert SHWHY-curt
Valorie Kondos Field CON-dose
Lindsey Vanden Eykel VAN-den EYE-cull
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Season Prospectuscareer-best all-around total of 39.5 at the Pac-10 Championships. She led the Bruins with an average of 9.828 on fl oor exercise and was second on vault with an average of 9.811. As a freshman in 2005, Jordan earned All-America honors on beam, as well as All-Pac-10 acclaim in the all-around.
New to the team is junior transfer Natalie Padilla, who comes to Westwood via the University of Iowa. Padilla competed at Iowa for two seasons, winning three vault titles and one fl oor title as a freshman in 2005. She has career-best marks of 9.875 on vault, 9.85 on fl oor, 9.825 on bars and 38.975 in the all-around. Padilla is a Southern California native who won consecutive fl oor and bars titles at the Level 10 State Championships in 2003 and 2004.
UCLA's third returning All-American is sophomore Kristina Comforte. As a freshman last year, Comforte did it all, competing a team-high 54 out of a possible 56 routines despite an ankle injury that forced her to undergo surgery in the off -season. Comforte earned fi rst-team All-America honors in the all-around at the NCAA Championships, fi nishing sixth overall. She also earned a runner-up fi nish on vault with a near-fl awless performance at the event fi nals. Comforte, a former U.S. junior vault champion and a fi ve-time National Team member, was fl awless on vault on February 3 of last year, becoming the fi rst gymnast in 2006 to earn a perfect score on any event.
The most pleasant surprise of the 2006 season was the performance of Ariana Berlin. She started the year as a freshman walk-on who had not competed in gymnastics for nearly fi ve years, and she ended the year as the Pac-10 Co-Freshman of the Year with a scholarship off er for 2007. Berlin, whose budding gymnastics career was derailed after a serious car accident when she was 14, returned to the sport after spending several years as a professional dancer. With her natural talent, work ethic and determination, she quickly earned a spot in the all-around and went on to compete on all four events in UCLA's last 12 meets of the year. Berlin not only competed often, but she competed well, hitting 50 of 52 routines on the year. Her dance ability and fl air on fl oor exercise make her one to watch wherever the Bruins compete.
Sophomore Janelle Dantzscher brings to the table beautiful lines, grace and technique. Dantzscher combines a classical style on balance beam and fl oor exercise with big skills that could bring big scores for the Bruins. Dantzscher's 2006 highlight came at Georgia, where she set or tied career-highs in the all-around (39.125) and on all four events.
The Bruins bring in a very strong freshman class of former elites Anna Li, Ashley Jenkins and Brittani McCullough.
Li is a two-time USA Championships competitor who fi nished ninth on beam and 16th in the all-around at the 2005 Championships. Prior to testing elite, she was a two-time Level 10 National Beam Champion. Li was destined to be
Ashley Peckett, Ariana Berlin and Kristina Comforte
After a frustrating 2006 season, the 2007 Bruins are out to prove that UCLA Gymnastics is back and ready to contend once again for the NCAA Championship.
The fi re-in-the-eyes attitude is palpable amongst this group.
“The frustration that we endured last season has served to refuel our fi re and strengthen our resolve,” said head coach Valorie Kondos Field. “Our returnees' determination, combined with the overall talent and character of our freshmen, has already made this season one of the best in our UCLA history.”
Although small in numbers, UCLA packs plenty of punch with its 11-person roster. The Bruins have an extremely talented squad that is more than capable of scoring big.
Leading the team are seniors Ashley Peckett and Michelle Selesky. Peckett, a former World Championships competitor for Canada, is known as one of the most consistent competitors on the UCLA squad. She enters the 2007 season having hit 59 of her last 60 routines dating back to 2005. Peckett played a major role for the Bruins in their NCAA Championship run in 2004, leading off with solid 9.8+ routines. Selesky is all about hard work and perseverance. A former walk-on who has earned a scholarship the last two years, Selesky has learned new skills in the off -season, including a new vault and new tumbling passes, and is determined to get the chance to perform them in competition this year. Both Peckett and Selesky are also leaders in the classroom. The two seniors have earned Scholastic All-America honors in each of the last three years, and Peckett has also received Pac-10 All-Academic acclaim the last two seasons.
Junior All-American Tasha Schwikert returns 100 percent healthy after last season's shoulder surgery that had her sidelined until the fi nal regular season meet. Schwikert has regained her form that saw her capture the 2005 NCAA all-around title as a freshman. The 2000 U.S. Olympian and the team captain of the 2003 U.S. World Championship team brings the "wow" factor to every routine she performs. Schwikert is capable of 10.0s on all events and has scored perfect 10s on both uneven bars and fl oor exercise. Even with limited training last season, she qualifi ed for the NCAA Cham-pionships by winning the vault at the Regional meet on just her second vault of the season.
Former two-time U.S. National Team member Jordan Schwikert is also 100 percent after her shoulder surgery last year. Jordan missed UCLA's fi rst two meets of the season and was not able to compete in the all-around until March. Once she returned, however, she provided the Bruins big-time scores, including a pair of meet-winning 9.95s on vault and beam at Georgia and a
Tasha Schwikert
2007 UCLA Women’s Gymnastics 5
Th e 2007 Season Season Prospectus
TV/Radio Roster
Ariana Berlin - Sophomore Kristina Comforte - Sophomore Janelle Dantzscher - Sophomore Ashley Jenkins - Freshman
Brittani McCullough - Freshman Natalie Padilla - Junior Ashley Peckett - Senior Jordan Schwikert - Junior
Michelle Selesky - Senior Head Coach Valorie Kondos Field
Assistant Coach Chris Waller
Anna Li - Freshman
Tasha Schwikert - Junior
Assistant Coach Marshall Nelson
Jordan Schwikerta Bruin; her parents Yuejiu Li and Jiani Wu won Olympic medals for China at the 1984 Olympic Games, which were held at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.
Jenkins was a U.S. National Team member in 2003 after a 10th-place all-around fi nish in the junior divi-sion. She competed internationally at the 2003 Trophee Massilia in France and placed in the Top 20 in the all-around.
McCullough made the U.S. National Team in her fi rst major elite competition, placing 11th in the all-around at the 2005 USA Championships. Just months prior to the USA meet, she won the vault, bars and fl oor at the Level 10 National Championships. The Bruins will have to wait to see McCullough in action, however, since she will miss the season after severing a tendon in her toe in a car accident in November.
With six meets in January alone, staying healthy and rested for the post-season will be key. Each member of the squad will play huge roles with this. Said Kondos Field, "We are looking forward to competing our entire roster for the majority of the competition season, hoping to maintain the ability to switch athletes out throughout the fi rst few months."
Kondos Field is excited about the possibilities for the Bruins in 2007, stating, "The combination we have this year of talent, enthusiasm and heart could see this team to another great year of UCLA Gymnastics."
