UCLA gymnastics caps ’empowering’ Black Excellence meet by beating Oregon State

In warmups, there were Black Lives Matter T-shirts. In competition, there were leotards with raised fists on the sleeves. In floor routines, each one was punctuated with a raised fist when the choreography concluded.

“In the best way, it did shake me to my core in a way that was so emotionally beautiful,” UCLA junior gymnast Margzetta Frazier said. “Knowing that these women took the time since the summer to sit and observe and learn our stories and something as bold as a power fist … for them to do that really meant the world to me.”

On top of it all, UCLA gymnastics got a win, beating Oregon State 197.025-196.500 at its Black Excellence meet Saturday afternoon at Pauley Pavilion.

The Bruins’ Nia Dennis captured first place in vault and bars, while Frazier won the all-around competition and tied for first with Dennis in bars.

With each UCLA gymnast wearing specially designed black and gold leotards, the Bruins scored a 49.225 in vault to begin the afternoon, with Dennis’ 9.925 mark leading the way.

The Bruins (5-1) took a 98.775-98.150 lead over the Beavers (2-4) after two events. In bars, Dennis and Frazier tied for the top score of 9.950 as UCLA swept the event. Sara Ulias was next (9.925), followed by Frida Esparza (9.875).

“We’ve put together a great performance in every single event,” UCLA coach Chris Waller said. “The next step for UCLA gymnastics is to put together that sort of national championship-quality performance on every event in the same day.”

The lowest UCLA event score came in beam (48.925), but Frazier and Samantha Sakti’s 9.90 numbers, which tied for second place, kept the team’s momentum going as it headed into floor. Saturday’s top finisher in beam was the Beavers’ Madi Dagen (9.925).

A 49.325 mark in floor wrapped up the Bruins’ day. Freshman Chae Campbell was the only top-three finisher, as she took first in the event (9.925).

Frazier won the all-around title, scoring a 39.550 to edge Oregon State’s Kristina Peterson (39.525). Campbell also competed in all-around, scoring a 39.00.

Frazier and Campbell have been competing in all-around throughout the season, and the dynamic between the two has bred success.

“She was a big help to me in ways that she doesn’t even know,” Frazier said. “Coming back from a detrimental injury last year, it did take some time for me to build my confidence back. But working alongside Chae and us uplifting each other in the gym, it was a catalyst to my growth.”

UCLA is next slated to compete in a 2 p.m. meet March 6 at Cal.

Although the Black Excellence meet came to a close Saturday, the message from Bruins gymnastics goes on.

“It was so fun,” said Dennis. “I honestly felt limitless. I felt empowered and I just felt supported and loved and I know my teammates also felt the same way.”