Freshmen have played a big role in UCLA 's strong start to the gymnastics season, accounting for roughly 37% of its routines ahead of Sunday's meet against Michigan State. Leading the way has been Ashlee Sullivan, who was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week after fifth-ranked UCLA swept the conference's weekly honors for the second time this season. Against Nebraska last week, Sullivan recorded career-highs in three events and tied for first on uneven bars (9.9) and floor exercise (9.875).
Two meets into the season, ninth-ranked UCLA gymnastics has set an unforgiving standard for execution. They know their routines must be virtually perfect in order to avoid reductions from the judges. "That's really where our mindset is at," UCLA coach Janelle McDonald said. "We want to continue to learn and grow from the things that we've already experienced and really put in the work to be the best team that we're capable of being."