UCLA Foursome Looks to Atlanta

They have been training together for years, each with the goal of making the U.S. Olympic team. And for some, making the team again.

Over the years, UCLA has sent 16 male gymnasts to the Olympic Games, and that tradition, despite a lack of funding in its program, is likely to continue this summer. The Bruins have four athletes or alumni on the U.S. national team, more than any other college or club team.

Scott Keswick and Chris Waller, both 1992 Olympians, and 1996 world championship team members Chainey Umphrey and Steve McCain each have a good chance of being in Atlanta this summer.

Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion, these four, along with Santa Monica’s David St. Pierre, turned in solid performances at the UCLA/Gilda Marx Invitational, a meet that included college teams and UCLA alumni.

“I think it’s going to go up from here,” said a sleeker, stronger Umphrey, who won the men’s individual all-around title with a score of 57.85 (out of a possible 60), followed by Bruin seniors McCain (56.80) and Jim Foody (55.65).

The UCLA men and women won the team competition. In the women’s all-around, Angela Andersen of Brigham Young won with 39.00 points (out of 40), followed by Christi Clifford of Cal State Fullerton (38.975) and Bruin senior Stella Umeh, who scored 9.95 on the floor exercise, (38.875).

Last year was a tough one for UCLA’s male gymnasts, past and present. The athletic department cut their program. The atmosphere in Wooden Center, where the newly formed club team and alumni continued to train, turned sour. The final blow came when Keswick injured his back in March. No one from UCLA made the 1995 U.S. team for the world championships.

At the time of Keswick’s back injury, he was the top-ranked gymnast in the nation. Saturday marked his first major competition since his surgery last July, and he said his rehabilitation is ahead of schedule.

“I was surprised when I heard some people thought I was finished after my injury,” Keswick said. “I thought, ‘Are you crazy?’ I will be surprised if at least two of us [from UCLA] don’t make the Olympic team. I wouldn’t bet against it.”