UCLA Gymnastics: Alabama, Florida edge out Bruins for national title

UCLA gymnastics was unable to grab NCAA title No. 109 on Saturday afternoon after accumulating their third-highest score at the NCAAs.

Alabama and Florida edged out UCLA on the beam and floor, respectively. Alabama finished with the highest score of 197.850, beating out Florida (197.775) and UCLA (197.750) for their second NCAA gymnastics national championship.

It was pretty painful knowing UCLA had a bye on the sixth rotation, the last of the competition. After UCLA put up a 197.750 to end their day, Florida was left to demolish the floor — according to friend of GJB Tony Leadholm, an event that gets scored much higher than the rest — while Alabama, improbably, outscored Florida while on the beam.

UCLA had one small slip-up on the beam that contributed — minutely, mind you, because Alabama and Florida were just that good — to their demise. Sam Peszek cleaned it up to end the competition for the Bruins, but it came up just short.

It’s important to note that, from what I am told, a 197.750 would normally win any event; of course, Florida and Alabama had incredible afternoons and we, here at GJB, give nothing but our congratulations to Alabama for their national title.

But being this close to championship 109 hurts. Hell of a run, Bruins.

GO BRUINS!!