Los Angeles, Calif. – The Arizona GymCats traveled to Southern California this afternoon to compete against No. 6 UCLA. The GymCats earned a final score of 196.275, a new season high, their previous season high being a 196.100 against California. However it wasn't enough to defeat the Bruins with their final score of 197.725. Despite the loss Arizona earned multiple new individual and team season highs, and will be leaving Pauley Pavilion with their heads held high.  

"We are so proud of the team effort we saw in achieving our new season high tonight!" said head coach Tabitha Yim. "This competition gives us confidence heading into the second half of our season. We will continue to stay humble in our victories and our defeats, and we will continue to do everything we can to keep building as a team."

The GymCats started the meet off on the uneven bars, earning a team score of 49.200. Victoria Ortiz earned a 9.900, making this the fourth week in a row she has scored a 9.900 or higher. Selynna Felix-Terrazas returned to the bars lineup for the first time since early January and earned a new season high of 9.875. Krysten Howard contributed a 9.850 and Christina Berg earned a 9.800.

Arizona headed to vault for the second rotation and earned a team score of 48.800. Madison Cindric returned to the vault lineup after several weeks of recovering from a toe injury and earned a 9.750. Lauryn Mattson earned a 9.825 for the third week in a row, tying her season and career high. Lauryn has competed on vault in every meet this season and has scored a 9.725 or higher on each one. Gabrielle Laub earned a new season high with a 9.775, her previous season high was a 9.750 set against Oregon State. Heather Swanson and Selynna Felix-Terrazas both contributed to the final score as well, Swanson with a 9.750 and Felix-Terrazas with a 9.700.

During the third rotation Arizona took to the floor. Kennady Schneider earned a big 9.900, a score just below her career high of 9.925. This season Kennady has scored a 9.800 or higher six different times on floor. Lauryn Mattson contributed a 9.825 on floor and she too has earned a 9.800 or higher six times this season. Freshman Christina Berg made her floor debut today and scored a 9.725, and senior Krysten Howard contributed a 9.800.

Arizona took to the balance beam during the final rotation and earned a new season high team score of 49.300. Senior Krysten Howard destroyed her previous record of a 9.875 when she earned a 9.925, Krysten has earned a 9.850 or higher for the past three weeks. Madison Cindric returned to the beam lineup after five weeks out due to a toe injury and earned a new season and career high of 9.900. Haylie Hendrickson and Victoria Ortiz both contributed a 9.850, this being Hendrickson's third week in a row with 9.800 or higher.

The GymCats return to McKale this Sunday, March 5th at 1 p.m. MST to take on their rivals from the north, Arizona State University. Tickets for Arizona Gymnastics' home meets are on sale through the ticket office (520.621.2287), located on the south side of McKale and can be purchased online at ArizonaWildcats.com. Fans can keep up with the GymCats via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.