GYMNASTICS : UCLA INVITATIONAL : Bruin Men Dominate Competition

There were few surprises Sunday at the UCLA-Times gymnastics invitational at Pauley Pavilion, except maybe, how high Bruin Chainey Umphrey scored in the two-day meet. Lately, though, Umphrey’s excellent performance is becoming standard.

The Bruins won the men’s team competition handily, scoring 284.150 points to second-place Nebraska’s 281.450. Minnesota finished third at 279.300.

Umphrey and teammate Scott Keswick, who are the top-ranked college gymnasts nationally, finished one-two in the all-around competition. Umphrey, who won the rings and tied for first in the pommel horse and floor exercise events Saturday, tied teammate Terry Notary for first on the high bar with a 9.7 to finish with a total of 58.4 points, (out of a possible 60). Keswick won the remaining events Sunday, scoring a 9.7 on the parallel bars and a 9.8 on the vault for a meet total of 57.75. New Mexico’s Luis Lopez finished third in the all-around at 57.35.

For the women, it was all Oregon State, which won the team competition and the top three all-around honors. The Beavers scored 193.250 points, followed by UCLA at 191, Arizona State at 189.250 and California at 185.550.

Chari Knight, a freshman at Oregon State, scored a 9.85 on the balance beam and a 9.9 on the floor exercise to win those events and the all-around title with a total of 39.2 points (out of a possible 40). Teammate Joy Selig finished second at 38.85, followed by Amy Durham at 38.50.

Knight, 19, was considered the top prospect in the nation last year before choosing Oregon State. She competed as an elite gymnast for several years before making the switch from the national team to the collegiate arena.

“For a while I thought I would do both, college and elite, but that didn’t work,” Knight said. “I guess I just needed a change and I was ready for something different. I don’t miss the elite competition. I enjoy being part of a team.”

Knight, whose home is in Eugene, Ore. was on the U.S. National team for two years.

UCLA senior Natalie Britton finished fourth in the all-around with 38.3 points. This is Britton’s first year competing in all the events. She has been an alternate the past two years.

Britton was a walk-on at UCLA, and has stayed with the team four years without a scholarship. “I competed in high school but I never was special at any one event, or had a great accomplishment,” said Britton.

The other men’s teams competing were Arizona State, which finished fourth at 278.500, followed by New Mexico at 277.650 and Illinois at 272.150.