Feb. 8, 2004
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The No. 7 Stanford University women's gymnastics team fell to No. 3 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins, the defending national champions, defeated the Cardinal 197.975-196.425 in a battle between Pac-10 powers. Stanford was led by sophomore All-American Natalie Foley who finished third in the all-around with a score of 39.550.
The Cardinal started the first rotation on the uneven bars, scoring a team total of 49.225. Senior All-American Caroline Fluhrer showed why she is one of the best in the country on bars with a team-high 9.950, while sophomore All-American Natalie Foley turned in a 9.875.
"I felt like we came out a little tight on bars," said Stanford Head Coach Kristen Smyth. "We were not as relaxed as we have been in the past on bars."
Stanford moved to the vault in the second rotation where the Cardinal racked up a score of 49.225. Sophomore All-American Glyn Sweets and Foley led the Cardinal on the vault registering identical 9.925 scores. For Foley, the 9.925 tied her career-high, while Sweets tied her second best score on the vault. Senior Shelly Goldberg turned in an outstanding performance as well, earning a 9.875.
In the third rotation, the Cardinal moved to floor, where they earned a team score of 49.375. Senior All-American Lise L?veill?, sophomore Jessica Louie, and Foley led the Cardinal in the floor exercise, each recording a 9.900. For Louie, her score marked a new career-high. Senior All-American Lindsay Wing earned a 9.850, while Goldberg scored a 9.825.
"Shelly was tremendous in the two events that she competed in. She just did an outstanding job," said Smyth.
The Cardinal trailed 148.625-147.925 heading into the last rotation, the balance beam. Stanford was uncharacteristically shaky on the beam, scoring just a 48.500. A bright spot for the Cardinal was the return of senior All-American Kendall Beck, who saw her first competition of the season.
"Kendall is the most inspiring gymnast I have ever met," said Smyth. "For her to overcome the things that she has overcome is just inspiring."
The Cardinal's one-two punch of Wing and L?veill? steady Stanford on the beam, scoring identical 9.925 scores, while Foley earned a 9.850.
The Cardinal pack their bags for a dual meet at No. 10 Oklahoma on February 13th. Stanford returns to The Farm on February 20th for its last home meet versus Cal.
Meet Results
Stanford - 196.425
UCLA - 197.975
Vault - 1. Antolin - UCLA (9.975), 2. Maloney - UCLA(9.950), 2. Richardson UCLA - (9.950), 4. Foley - STAN (9.925), 4. Sweets - STAN (9.925), 4. Peckett - UCLA (9.925).
Bars - 1. Fluhrer - STAN (9.950), 2. Maloney - UCLA (9.925), 2. Tousek - UCLA (9.925), 4. Foley - STAN (9.875), 4. Richardson - UCLA (9.875), 4. Winn - UCLA (9.875).
Beam - 1. Richardson - UCLA (9.975), 2. Antolin - UCLA (9.950), 3. L?veill? - STAN (9.925), 3. Wing - STAN (9.925), 3. Maloney - UCLA (9.925).
Floor - 1. Antolin - UCLA (9.950), 2. Foley -STAN (9.900), 2. L?veill? - STAN (9.900), 2. Louie - STAN (9.900), 2. Tousek - UCLA (9.900).
All-Around - 1. Antolin - UCLA (39.725), 2. Richardson - UCLA (39.625), 3. Foley - STAN (39.550), 4. Winn - UCLA (39.425), 5. L?veill? - STAN (39.400).