LA Times · Feb 7
UCLA gymnastics loves putting on a show during floor exercise
Jordan Chiles leaps in the air during her floor exercise routine at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 17. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)During home meets, the moment the UCLA women’s gymnastics team transitions to the mat for floor exercise, the crowd is hyped. The arena announcer further pumps up the audience. During each Bruin’s routine, their teammates are locked in on the edge of the mat cheering while mimicking key moves.
“The floor really is a show,” UCLA coach Janelle McDonald said. “It’s a performance. [Gymnasts] can use their own personality out there to perform for the crowd, put their own stamp on it, so to speak, more so than other events.”