Richardson Leads UCLA to Pac-10 Title

Big things were expected of Kate Richardson when she enrolled at UCLA. On Saturday night, the freshman delivered on those expectations.

Richardson thrilled a Pauley Pavilion crowd of 3,070 with near-flawless routines and won the all-around title to lead the No. 1-ranked Bruins to the championship at the Pacific 10 Conference gymnastics meet.

It was UCLA’s fourth conference title in five years and a Pac-10 record 11th overall.

In totaling a season-high score of 39.825, Richardson received her third 10 of the year for her routine in the floor exercise and punctuated the Bruins’ victory with a 9.975 on the vault.

“I had no idea what this meet would be like,” said Richardson, who competed for Canada in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. “There’s some things that I need to fix before regionals and nationals. I’m real happy with how I competed tonight.”

UCLA totaled 198.175 points to outdistance Stanford’s tally of 197.700. The Bruins’ victory was made more impressive because junior Jamie Dantzscher was scratched because of a sinus infection.

Senior Kristin Parker filled in with 9.850 and 9.875 scores on the vault and uneven bars to help the Bruin effort.

“Coach Val [Kondos Field] has prepared me since my freshman year to be ready at the drop of a hat,” Parker said.

Richardson beat teammate Jeanette Antolin in the all-around, but Antolin earned a 10 to win the vault. It was her third perfect score on the routine, but first with a new dismount she added last week.

“When I saw the first three of us totally rock on the vault, I just felt it had to happen for me as well,” Antolin said. “I just landed it.”

Richardson’s perfect floor routine was matched by Oregon State’s Chrissy Lamun.

Lindsay Wing of Stanford won the balance beam with a score of 9.975.

Carly Dockendorf of Washington and Elizabeth Jillson of Oregon State shared the bars title, each earning 10s.