UCLA Women Impressive in Semifinals

It’s going to take a nearly flawless effort for any team to beat UCLA at the NCAA women’s gymnastics championships.

The Bruins used superior depth and talent to full advantage Thursday night, scoring 197.25 points to win the late semifinal.

Nebraska rode the talent of all-around champion Heather Brink to second place, scoring 196.0. Third-place Michigan, which scored 195.925, was dueling with UCLA when falls on the beam hurt the Wolverines.

Still, Michigan advanced to today’s team finals, along with UCLA and Nebraska and afternoon survivors Georgia, Utah and Alabama.

UCLA got great efforts from seniors Lena Degteva and Heidi Moneymaker, but Coach Valorie Kondos credited freshmen Malia Jones, Kristin Parker, Doni Thompson and Amy Young for carrying the Bruins.

“The four freshmen really came through,” Kondos said. “They knew how badly the seniors want to win this thing.”