CLOSE-UP : Moriel’s Event May Put UCLA Over the Top

After finishing sixth in the high bar at the Pacific 10 championships, Dave Moriel is looking to gain a title. The UCLA junior’s motives are more selfless than they appear, however.

If Moriel places well at this weekend’s NCAA gymnastics championships at UCLA, he could help the Bruins to only their second team title in the school’s history. Mitch Gaylord, a Grant High graduate, won the all-around competition to lead the Bruins to the 1984 title.

“I really want to win for the team,” Moriel said. “I think we’re ready physically, but everyone will have to do well individually.”

While the Monroe High graduate also will compete in the all-around, it is in the high bar that he excels. Moriel, a 5-6, 135-pounder, won the 1986 United States Gymnastics Federation high bar competition in Indianapolis and placed third in the event in last season’s NCAA championships.

His sixth-place finish in this season’s conference championships is deceiving, he said. He had just returned from a lengthy competition and wasn’t as sharp.

In his senior year, Moriel became the only gymnast in history of the Los Angeles City championship to win all seven events and the all-around competition. Not coincidentally, Monroe won the team title that year.

“I have never had any doubts that he could make it in the big leagues,” Monroe Coach Les Sasvary said. “He not only has the skill, but he is very bright, has determination and the stamina. Even in high school, he was willing to make the sacrifices.

“I’ve always said that he showed Olympic potential.”

Sasvary has much upon which to base his opinion.

The Monroe coach, who has been an international judge for more than 20 years, was on panels at the 1972 and ’84 Olympic Games as well as at three world championships.

UCLA is seeded fourth behind Oklahoma, Cal State Fullerton and Nebraska but could benefit from the home-court advantage.

“I think it’s a psychological advantage having the competition in L.A.,” Moriel said. “The environment and the chemistry is here.”