UCLA GYMNASTICS UCLA Athletic Communications / J.D. Morgan Center / 325 Westwood Plaza / Los Angeles, CA 90095 / (310) 621-8398 Gymnastics Contact: Liza David ([email protected])

2021 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE No. 11 UCLA at No. 15 Arizona January Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021 – 1 p.m. MT/12 p.m. PT Sat. 23 Arizona State W 196.150-195.950 Tucson, Ariz. (McKale Center) Sun. 31 at Arizona Live Stream 12 p.m. MEET INFORMATION February Live Stream: pac-12.com/live/university-arizona Wed. 10 TBA 2 p.m. Live Stats: arizonalivestats.com at Sun. 14 at Washington P12N 1 p.m. Fri. 19 at Utah ESPNU 6 p.m. 1-0 0-1 Sat. 27 Oregon State P12N 11 a.m. All-Time Series: UCLA leads, 75-10 March UCLA has won 12 consecutive regular season matchups, Sat. 6 California 2 p.m. including last year’s dual meet in Pauley, 197.675-195.375. Sat. 13 San Jose State TBD Arizona’s last victory came in 2006 in Tucson. Sat. 20 at Pac-12 Champs. P12N TBD (West Valley City, Utah) BRUINS TRAVEL TO ARIZONA UCLA will hit the road for the ! rst time this year, driving to Tucson, Ariz. to take on the 15th-ranked Arizona Wildcats All times are listed in PT. on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 1pm MT/12pm PT. The meet will be live streamed at pac-12.com/live/university-arizona. CAREER-BEST MARKS LAST TIME OUT Gymnast V UB BB FX AA A short-handed Bruin squad was lifted by inspired performances by several newcomers and opened the 2021 Andres 9.750 – 9.775* 9.875 – season with a 196.150-195.950 victory over No. 15 Arizona State. The Bruins clinched the victory on the ! nal Campbell 9.850 8.950 9.725 9.900 38.425 routine when scored a 9.950 on " oor exercise. UCLA was dealt a blow in preseason warmups when Dennis 9.950 9.950 9.975 9.975 39.425 Esparza – 9.900 9.800 – – Norah Flatley injured her ankle in warmups, taking her out of the competition and now out of action for several Flatley 9.750 9.975 9.950 9.950 39.275 weeks. She was replaced on bars and beam by two teammates who had never competed for the Bruins on those Frazier 9.825 9.950 9.825 9.950 39.550 events before – Pauline Tratz on bars and Savannah Kooyman on beam – and each delivered with a hit routine. UCLA Hogan – – – 9.450 – gymnasts had the top event scores, with Dennis winning (9.9) and " oor (9.95), freshman Frida Esparza winning Kooyman – 9.900 9.600 9.825 – bars (9.9), and junior Samantha Sakti taking beam (9.9). Lashbrooke 9.825 – – 9.900 – Poston 9.900 – 9.900 – – DENNIS BREAKS THE INTERNET ... AGAIN Sakti – – 9.950 – – For the second time in as many years, Nia Dennis has gone viral after just her ! rst " oor routine of the season. Dennis’ Shapiro – 9.775 9.925 – – routine celebrating black culture picked up steam in a hurry after it was posted to social media on Sunday morning. Steele – 9.925 – – – Within an hour, it went viral, and the video currently has over 10M views on Twitter alone. Her routine was shared Taubman – 9.825 – – – by the likes of Michelle Obama, Janet Jackson and Missy Elliott. Dennis made a repeat visit to The Ellen Show and Tratz 9.925 9.650 – 9.950 – appeared on the Today Show this week. Last season, Dennis’ Beyonce routine went viral as well, as did a TikTok Ulias – – – 9.500* – compilation video of her hitting the woah. Wright 9.875 – – 9.775* – Team 49.725 49.825 49.750 49.875 198.875 BRUIN DEBUTS *denotes exhibition routine Five Bruins saw action for the very ! rst time last week, as the meet marked the collegiate debuts for freshmen Chae Campbell, Frida Esparza and Sara Ulias, sophomore Paige Hogan and junior Sara Taubman. Campbell debuted as an 2021 SEASON-BEST MARKS all-arounder and had big numbers on vault (9.85) and " oor (9.9). Esparza won bars (9.9) and tied for ! fth on beam Gymnast V UB BB FX AA (9.8) and was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week. Ulias performed beautifully in an exhibition " oor exercise Andres – – – 9.575 – performance. Hogan donned the UCLA leotard for the ! rst time and competed on " oor exercise, and Taubman was Campbell 9.850 8.950 9.725 9.900 38.425 the feel-good story of the meet, hitting a pressure-! lled set on for a 9.825 in her ! rst-ever performance. Dennis 9.900 – 9.375* 9.950 – Esparza – 9.900 9.800 – – Taubman, who had not even exhibitioned in a UCLA meet in two previous years, had to go up after leadoff performer Flatley – – – – – Campbell fell. Taubman also had to overcome a notably long delay while the judges conferred on the previous routine. Frazier 9.725 9.800 9.800 9.900 39.225 But when she ! nally took her turn, she came through big with a stuck double layout dismount and a score of 9.825, Hogan – – – 9.450 – with one judge awarding her a 9.9. Taubman’s hit routine was even more important given that the Bruins were Kooyman – 9.800 9.600 – – utilizing four athletes who had never before competing on bars in collegiate competition. Lashbrooke – – – – – Poston 9.875 – 9.775 – – POWER VAULTERS Sakti – – 9.900 – – UCLA’s strongest event in the season opener was vault, where the Bruins scored 49.200 despite just ! ve vaulters Shapiro – – – – – competing and just one 10.0 start value vault. Nia Dennis’ 9.9 led the way, and Kendal Poston earned 9.875 on her Steele – – – – – 10.0 vault (handspring pike front half). Chae Campbell stuck a big vault for a 9.85, and Pauline Tratz hit a strong Tratz 9.850 9.650 – 9.925 – leadoff vault for a 9.85, and Margzetta Frazier contributed a 9.725. Ulias – – – 9.500* – Wright – – – – – IN THE RANKINGS Team 49.200 48.975 49.000 48.975 196.150 After scoring 196.150 in the season opener, UCLA debuted at No. 11 in the national rankings, which are currently *denotes exhibition routine determined by season average. The Bruins rank No. 4 on vault, No. 11 on beam, No. 20 on bars, and No. 19 on " oor. Individually, Nia Dennis ranks second on " oor and ! fth on vault. Kendal Poston ranks 13th on vault, Frida Esparza is sixth on bars, Samantha Sakti ranks 10th on beam, and Chae Campbell and Margzetta Frazier are tied for 10th on " oor. Frazier also ranks 19th in the all-around. ABOUT THE BRUINS UCLA ended a shortened 2020 campaign ranked No. 3 in the nation and closed the campaign with ! ve straight meets scoring 197 or above. The Bruins return three All-Americans in Nia Dennis, Norah Flatley and Margzetta

2021 UCLA GYMNASTICS NATIONAL RANKINGS (WEEK 3 - 1/25) Frazier but lose ! ve All-Americans and perfect 10 scorers in 2021 HONORS 2020 Honda Award winner and two-time Pac-12 Gymnast RK TEAM AVG HIGH Nia Dennis of the Year Kyla Ross, 2016 Olympic gold and silver 1 Florida 197.392 197.500 Pac-12 Specialist of the Week (1/27) medalist Madison Kocian, Grace Glenn, Felicia Hano and 2 LSU 197.008 197.275 Frida Esparza 3 Oklahoma 196.858 197.450 Gracie Kramer. The Bruins will also be without the services Pac-12 Freshman of the Week (1/27) 4 Utah 196.842 197.075 of sophomore Chloe Lashbrooke this season after she 5 Denver 196.800 197.000 suffered a torn achilles tendon earlier this month. UCLA 6 Arkansas 196.742 197.250 did keep one of last year’s seniors - Nicole Shapiro, who 9.95+ SCORES 7 Michigan 196.538 197.225 had only competed two years and was granted another Gymnast V UB BB FX Total 8 Alabama 196.517 196.925 year of eligibility by the NCAA. New to the squad are Dennis – – – 1 1 9 Iowa 196.500 196.550 Team 0 0 0 1 1 10 Georgia 196.200 196.375 freshmen Chae Campbell, Frida Esparza and Sara Ulias. 11 UCLA 196.150 196.150 Campbell was the U.S. junior vault champion in 2016 9.9+ SCORES 12 BYU 196.067 196.250 and a two-time Level 10 national champion. Esparza is a Gymnast V UB BB FX Total 13 Minnesota 196.013 197.025 two-time World Championships competitor and the 2018 Campbell – – – 1 1 14 Kentucky 195.942 196.225 all-around national champion for Mexico. Ulias has placed Dennis 1 – – 1 2 15 Arizona 195.650 195.650 Top 3 on uneven bars in the last two Level 10 Region 1 Esparza – 1 – – 1 15 Arizona State 195.650 196.275 Championships. Frazier – – – 1 1 17 Southern Utah 195.592 196.650 Sakti – – 1 – 1 18 Iowa State 195.500 195.500 SCOUTING THE WILDCATS Team 1 1 1 3 6 18 Illinois 195.500 195.525 Arizona had six gymnasts make their collegiate debuts in 20 Boise State 195.313 196.325 a 197.075-195.650 season-opening loss at Utah. The 21 Utah State 195.288 196.225 22 Auburn 195.283 195.725 Wildcats’ highest event score was 49.150 on beam, where they were led by freshman Jessica Castles, who scored 23 North Carolina 195.200 195.200 9.9. Arizona currently ranks 15th overall and sixth on beam. Castles is ranked 10th on beam. 24 Missouri 195.117 195.750 25 Maryland 195.088 195.300 FRAZIER, STEELE JOIN PAC-12’S DIVERSITY & INCLUSION GROUP Junior Margzetta Frazier and sophomore Kalyany Steele will serve as UCLA representatives on the newly-formed NATIONAL RANKINGS - TOP 25 as of 1/25 Gymnasts for Peace, Action, and Change” (G-PAC). This student-athlete driven organization has representatives from Gymnast V UB BB FX AA all eight Pac-12 gymnastics programs. Together, these gymnasts will work to share ideas, formulate meet themes, host Campbell – – – 10t – webinars, welcome guest speakers to campus, and more. G-PAC’s mission statement is as follows: G-PAC facilitates Dennis 5t – – 2t – Esparza – 6t – – – an environment where diversity and inclusion is both welcomed and encouraged. Strives to ignite lasting change by Frazier – – – 10t 19t sharing experiences, providing others with education and outside resources, and creating an authentic safe space for Poston 13t – – – – fellow student-athletes. Inspires others to thrive at the edge of their comfort zone furthering the journey to true equality. Sakti – – 2t – – Team 4 20t 11 19t 11 BRUINS, SUN DEVILS UNITE IN SHOW OF SOLIDARITY Prior to UCLA’s season opener last week, the Bruins and Sun Devils united in a show of solidarity, kneeling together PAC-12 RANKINGS - TOP 10 as of 1/25 around the " oor in a circle of unity for a moment of silence to demonstrate their solidarity for racial justice and anti- Gymnast V UB BB FX AA racism. As the team stated, “This circle of unity, with many different races represented, is a symbol of what the world Campbell 6t – – 3t – Dennis 2t – – 1 – should be - a diverse and harmonious community of individuals working together for the common good. There is still Esparza – 1 10t – – work to be done, and we will continue to take a stand and speak up for equality and for change.” Frazier – – 10t 3t 3 Poston 4 – – – – UCLA SIGNS NO. 1 RECRUITING CLASS Sakti – – 2t – – UCLA has inked the No. 1-ranked signing class in the nation, according to College Gym News. The Bruins’ top-ranked Taubman – 8t – – – class includes U.S. National Team members Jordan Chiles, and , Canadian World medalist Tratz 6t – – – – Ana Padurariu and U.S. senior elite Alexis Jeffrey. The rankings are based on a points system from the website’s Team 1 3 3 3 2 recruit ratings system and include gymnasts who signed during the 2020 early signing period and those who signed previously but have deferred enrollment. The ranking does not include Canadian National Team member Brooklyn EVENT TITLES Moors, who has enrolled this year but will redshirt the season. Gymnast V UB BB FX AA NO. 1 IN SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS Dennis 1 – – 1 – UCLA Gymnastics has the largest social media followings in all of women’s collegiate sports, ranking No. 1 in Esparza – 1 – – – Sakti – – 1 – – combined followers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, a total over 1 million. The team has an additional reach of over 1 million on TikTok (434k followers) and Snapchat (583k subscribers). The Bruins rank ! rst among all NCAA TOP 3 FINISHES gymnastics teams on Instagram (409k), Facebook (533k) and Twitter (77.9k). Among all UCLA teams, gymnastics Gymnast V UB BB FX AA ranks ! rst on Instagram and Facebook, and UCLA Gymnastics is the most followed collegiate women’s team Campbell – – – 1 – Dennis 1 – – 1 – Instagram account in the nation. Follow the Bruins at @UCLAGymnastics on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Snapchat Esparza – 1 – – – and on Facebook at facebook.com/uclagymnastics. Frazier – 1 – 1 – Poston 1 – – – – SUPPORT UCLA TEAMS VIA FAN CUTOUTS Sakti – – 1 – – In adherence to the latest COVID-19 guidelines set by the state of California and Los Angeles County, fans are not permitted to attend events at UCLA Athletics venues, including Pauley Pavilion. However, Bruin fans can be there in spirit to support their favorite teams via cutouts which will be placed in seats inside the venue. For only $50 per cutout, fans can submit a photo of themselves, family members, friends or even their pets. Cutouts will be placed in seats within two weeks of the order date and remain in place until the completion of the last regular-season home contest at that venue. Speci! c seat locations for cutouts will be determined by availability at the time of purchase. Fans will have the opportunity to pick up their cutout once campus of! cially reopens. To order, visit uclabruins.com/ fancutouts.

2021 UCLA GYMNASTICS MEDIA INFORMATION 2021 UCLA GYMNASTICS ROSTER UCLA Athletic Communications Name Ht. Yr. Hometown (High School/Last School/Club) J.D. Morgan Center, Suite 128 Emma Andres 5-6 So. Rocklin, Calif. (Rocklin/Byers Roseville Gymnastics) 325 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095 Chae Campbell 5-7 Fr. Carrollton, Texas (Prestonwood Christian Academy/Metroplex Gymnastics) Gymnastics Contact Liza David Nia Dennis 5-1 Sr. Columbus, Ohio (Metea Valley/Legacy Elite Gymnastics) David Of! ce Phone (310) 206-8140 Frida Esparza 5-4 Fr. Pittsburg, Calif. (K12 International Academy/Head Over Heels) David Cell Phone (310) 621-8398 Norah Flatley 4-11 Jr. West Des Moines, Iowa (Connections Academy/Chow’s Gymnastics) David E-Mail [email protected] Margzetta Frazier 5-1 Jr. Sicklerville, N.J. (Connections Academy/Parkettes) Fax (310) 825-8664 Paige Hogan 5-2 So. Simi Valley, Calif. (Simi Valley/Waller’s GymJam Academy) Website www.uclabruins.com Savannah Kooyman 5-3 Sr. Laguna Hills, Calif. (Aliso Niguel/Precision Gymnastics) Media Availability Chloe Lashbrooke 5-3 So. Scottsdale, Ariz. (Chaparral/Gold Medal Gymnastics) UCLA head coach Chris Waller and selected student-athletes Brooklyn Moors* 5-3 Fr. Cambridge, Ont., Canada (Bishop Macdonell Catholic/Dynamo Gymnastics) will be available weekly via a scheduled Zoom meeting. Please Kendal Poston 5-0 Sr. Foothill Ranch, Calif. (Trabuco Hills/Azarian Gymnastics) contact the Athletic Communications Of! ce early in the week Samantha Sakti 5-0 Jr. Arcadia, Calif. (Arcadia/All Olympia Gymnastics Center) for meeting information. Due to Covid-19, practices are closed, Nicole Shapiro 5-1 Sr. Los Angeles, Calif. (Santa Monica/All Olympia Gymnastics Center) and all media availability will take place via Zoom or phone. Kalyany Steele 5-2 So. Colorado Springs, Colo. (Colorado Connections Academy/Colorado Aerials) Credentials Sara Taubman 5-3 Jr. Fairfax, Calif. (Sir Francis Drake/Head Over Heels) Credential requests for home meets must be made at least Pauline Tratz 5-7 Sr. Karlsruhe, Germany (Otto-Hahn Gymnasium/Kunstturn Region Karlsruhe) 48 hours in advance by emailing Liza David (ldavid@athletics. Sara Ulias 5-4 Fr. Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Century Academy/Paramount Elite Gymnastics) ucla.edu). Lilia Waller 5-5 Sr. Santa Clarita, Calif. (Hart/Waller’s GymJam Academy) Credential Pickup Sekai Wright 5-6 Jr. Paramount, Calif. (Paramount/American Gymnastics Academy) Credentials for home meets are available for pickup at the north entrance of Pauley Pavilion. COACHING STAFF Media Seating Chris Waller Head Coach (2nd season/19th overall) UCLA ‘91 Media seating is available in the upper press box (south side) Kristina Comforte Associate Head Coach (2nd season) UCLA ‘10 of Pauley Pavilion. Dom Palange Assistant Coach (2nd season/6th overall) BJ Das Volunteer Assistant Coach (2nd season) Washington ‘06 Photography Areas A limited amount of photographers will be credentialed to Kyla Ross Undergraduate Assistant Coach (1st season) home meets and must shoot from the mid-level seating on the west and east sides of Pauley. Please consult with Athletic PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Communications staff to con! rm other locations. Flash and strobe photography are strictly forbidden. Emma Andres ...... AWN-drayss Kalyany Steele ...... KAH-lee-AH-nee Postmeet Procedure Chae Campbell ...... SHAY Pauline Tratz ...... paw-LEAN-uh TRAHTZ Head coach Chris Waller and selected gymnasts will be Nia Dennis ...... KNEE-uh Sara Ulias ...... YOU-lee-US available to the media via Zoom after the meets. Frida Esparza ...... FREE-duh Sekai Wright ...... suh-KAI Margzetta Frazier ...... Marg-ZETTA Kristina Comforte ...... come-FORTY Savannah Kooyman ...... COY-mun Dom Palange ...... puh-LANGE-ee Kendal Poston...... POST-un BJ Das ...... DAHS Samantha Sakti ...... SOCK-tee

2021 UCLA GYMNASTICS