Titan Gymnasts Let Upset of UCLA Slip Away

As he watched the third gymnast slip off the horizontal bar Friday, Cal State Fullerton men’s gymnastic coach Dick Wolfe saw his chance of knocking off top-ranked UCLA slip further away.

“I feel fine,” Wolfe said upon hearing the final score, 280.90-278.90. “I am excited about our program and how fast it’s coming along. And I guess I realized my fantasy of filling the gym.”

Wolfe’s night might have been even better had the Titans held the 185.0-184.30 lead they had after five events. It was the first time they pulled ahead, getting superb performances from freshman Bill Barham, who placed third in team scoring with a score of 56.40.

Tony Pineda, a member of the 1984 Mexican Olympic team, led the Bruins with 56.95 points to place first. The Bruins’ Chris Holdsworth (56.70) was second.

The Titans suffered from several falls during the competition including two by Li Xiao Ping, a 1984 Olympian from China, in the pommel horse (9.55) and the high bar (9.10).

UCLA’s women also defeated CSUF, 184.95-183.30.

Jill Andrews led the Bruins with a first-place score of 37.55. Tammi Elliott finished second for the Titans with 37.45. Brenda Stefanik was third for Fullerton with 36.85.

“Maybe Zeus was shooting us with lighting bolts tonight,” Wolfe said. “We had some problems, but it still was the best first meet score for us ever.”

Fullerton will compete at UC Santa Barbara Friday.