Madison Kocian, Team USA Win Gold
August 09, 2016 | Gymnastics
Bruins in Rio
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UCLA incoming freshman Madison Kocian and the USA Gymnastics team dominated the field to win team gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The U.S. totaled 184.897 over 12 routines (15.408 average) to outdistance silver medalist Russia (176.688) by over eight points. China took the bronze medal with a score of 176.003.
Kocian was the final competitor for the U.S. on the uneven bars and delivered a monster score of 15.933, which tied for the highest mark of the competition on any event. The U.S. scored 46.499 on the uneven bars, which was the team's second-highest event total of the day, behind only their 46.866 on vault. The team total on bars increased the team's lead from 0.700 to 4.026, and the U.S. extended the lead even more after balance beam, taking a 4.961 advantage. The coronation became final after a 45.999 score on floor exercise, with the three hit routines giving the U.S. team yet another perfect set with 28-for-28 hit routines over the two days of competition.
The "Final Five" won Team USA's third-ever gold medal and second consecutive. Kocian, Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez are first-time medalists, and Gabrielle Douglas and Aly Raisman won their second team gold medals.
Kocian is now the third Olympic gold medalist on the 2017 UCLA Gymnastics team. She and fellow freshman Kyla Ross will compete for the Bruins this upcoming season, and Jordyn Wieber will now serve as a volunteer assistant coach after being a team manager for the last three seasons. Ross and Wieber were part ofย the Fierce Five team that won gold in London in 2012.ย
UCLA Gymnastics' competition season begins in January 2017. Season ticket holders have until the Aug. 19 deadline to renewย (RENEW HERE). New season tickets will become available for purchase shortly after Aug. 10.