UCLA celebrates gymnastics seniors

(News4usonline) – The UCLA gymnastics team honored eight of its seniors on Saturday, March 16 at Pauley Pavilion. The Bruins recorded a 198.550-196.825 win over Clemson, its third-highest score of all time.

For some, it was their first time being honored. For others, it is their third time being honored as a senior. The Bruins celebrated its four seniors, Chae Campbell, Frida Esparza, Katie McNamara, and Sara Ulias. Also being honored are UCLA’s four graduate students Emma Andres, Margzetta Frazier Chloe Lashbrooke, and Nya Reed.

“Well, you know, I think the thing that a lot of our seniors, you know, the journey doesn’t always look like how you picture it will,” said UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald about the seniors being honored. “And I think that’s life, right? And so I think, you know, you learn a lot of life lessons through sports. And I think our seniors are a perfect example of that.”

Frazier feels excited to celebrate along with her fellow teammates who are seniors and graduate students.

“I’m excited to celebrate the true seniors, that they’re getting their first run around. I’m excited to celebrate with them,” said Frazier about being honored on senior night along with some of her teammates. “Just a last final poly send-off for real this time with my friends and my family and I feel like because I’ve already had so many senior nights, I don’t know, it doesn’t, it doesn’t matter. It’s still going to feel like such a special competition.”

The No.11 Bruins hosted No. 27 Clemson in the Pauley Pavilion. UCLA scored three perfect 10s during the home meet. Sophomore Selena Harris claimed her perfect marks on vault and uneven bars. Campbell hit the magic mark during her floor exercise.

Campbell feels that during her time as an undergraduate, she learned a lot and was able to grow and discover more of herself.

“I feel like everyone, like, tells you, uh, that these are gonna be, like, the best four years of your life, and you’re gonna grow, and you’re gonna,” said Campbell. “You know, discover more of who you are, and everything that they, that I’ve been told is absolutely 100% true.”

Campbell for now is taking it “day by day” and is prepared for whatever comes her way.

“So it’s just taking it day-by-day, being present, enjoying the moments that I have, like enjoying the moments like this is my last year,” Campbell said.

Frazier feels extremely proud of the four seniors who were honored on senior day.

“Those four have already been incredibly hardworking. So what I loved to see from them was their personality just develop into such strong, courageous, outspoken women,” said Frazier. I’m very proud of them. They have, they can’t work any harder. They’ve never slowed down.”