UCLA gymnast Sophina DeJesus’ floor routine highlights close win

If you missed it, Sophina DeJesus’s floor routine was the must-watch moment from Pauley Pavilion this weekend.

The UCLA senior put together a killer performance on Saturday, mixing in dance moves and a split landing to earn a 9.925 from the judges. She wasn’t the highest scorer of the day — that title went to teammate Angi Cipra, who scored 9.975 — but the Bruins needed every little bit of help they could get in a 197.100-197.075 win over Utah.

Some more highlights from the meet, which closed with Sadiqua Bynum earning a 9.950 to push UCLA past the Utes.

UCLA gymnastics finishes fourth at NCAA Championship

UCLA finished fourth in the Super Six final last night, ending a season beset by injuries. Senior Vanessa Zamarripa, ranked No. 1 in vault, landed on her knees to end the Bruins’ night, but the team couldn’t have won its seventh title even if she had scored a perfect 10. (Full story here.)

“Emotionally, physically, mentally, we are spent,” coach Valorie Kondos Field said. “We left it all on the floor. As a coach, I could not ask for more from them.”

Florida, coached by former UCLA All-American Rhonda Faehn, won its first national title despite two falls off the beam to open the day. Oklahoma placed second, and two-time defending champion Alabama finished third.

You can also click through to a photo gallery of the event.