STANFORD, Calif. – Although the No. 24 Cardinal posted its second-best team total of the season, No. 10 UCLA topped Stanford 197.175-196.725 Friday evening in the final Pac-12 conference dual meet matchup between the two programs in Maples Pavilion.
Senior Ira Alexeeva walked away with her first event title of the season with a career-best performance on beam of 9.950, while fifth-year Chloe Widner took home shares of both the bars and floor titles with scores of 9.900 and 9.925, respectively.
The Bruins were led by Chae Campbell on vault, capturing the event's title with a 9.900, while Frida Esparza and Selena Harris led the way on bars each with scores of 9.900. Nya Reed led UCLA on floor with a 9.925 and Harris won the all-around competition with a total score of 39.325.
The Cardinal started its day on vault with a team total of 49.025, highlighted by the return of sophomore Anna Roberts to the Stanford lineups after a preseason injury. Fellow sophomore Taralyn Nguyen earned the Cardinal's best score of the rotation, a 9.850, followed by Roberts and junior Brenna Neault each scoring a 9.825. Sophomore Claire Dean led off the event with a 9.800 and senior Amanda Zeng recorded a 9.725.
Stanford's bars rotation built upon its vault efforts, totaling an event score of 49.175. Widner's total led all Cardinal gymnasts, while Alexeeva, Roberts, and freshman Sienna Robinson each added scores of 9.825. Dean rounded out the rotation with a score of 9.800.
The meet continued on beam with the Cardinal once again besting its previous event total, capturing a 49.250 in the third rotation. Alexeeva's 9.950 in the fifth spot of the lineup led all Stanford gymnasts, while Neault and Widner both posted totals of 9.850 on either side of the senior. Nguyen matched her season-best score with a 9.825 and Robinson earned a 9.775.
Stanford saved its best event for last, finishing the day with a 49.275 on floor. Widner anchored with a 9.925, Nguyen posted a 9.875 in the spot ahead of the fifth year and Dean opened the rotation with a 9.850. Neault added a 9.850 and Robinson was the final scoring routine with a 9.775.
The Cardinal now waits until next Sunday to host its final home meet, welcoming current No. 3 California March 10 in Maples Pavilion for Senior Day. The final edition of the Big Meet as Pac-12 opponents is scheduled to be broadcast on Pac-12 Networks and slated for a 2 p.m. start time.
