Jan. 29, 2013

For the second time this season, UCLA freshman Sophina DeJesus was named Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Week.

DeJesus placed first or second on all three events in which she competed, helping lead UCLA to a 196.375-195.6 victory at Arizona State and a 3-0 record to start the season. DeJesus tied for first place on balance beam with a career-high mark of 9.875 and also set a new career-high on floor exercise, where she tied for second place. Additionally, she tied for second on uneven bars with a 9.8. DeJesus had the highest composite score in the meet (no one competed all-around), totaling 29.55 points.

This is DeJesus' second Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Week award and UCLA's second all-time.

Stanford senior Ashley Morgan was named the Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week, and Arizona State's Natasha Sundby earned Special Performance of the Week honors.

The Bruins and the Cardinal face off this week as UCLA travels to Stanford on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 4 pm PT. The meet will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks.

Also Nominated:
Gymnast of the Week: Jordan Williams, ARIZ; Kelsi Blalock, OSU; Sophina DeJesus, UCLA; Corrie Lothrop, UTAH; Lauren Rogers, WASH.

Special Performance of the Week: Aubree Cristello, ARIZ; Stephanie McGregor, OSU; Samantha Shapiro, STAN; Vanessa Zamarripa, UCLA; Tory Wilson, UTAH; Aliza Vaccher, WASH.

Freshman/Newcomer of the Week: Melissa Chuang, STAN; Breanna Hughes, UTAH; Allison Northey, WASH.

2013 Pac-12 Gymnast of the Week
Jan. 8: Vanessa Zamarripa, UCLA; Jan. 15: Vanessa Zamarripa, UCLA; Jan. 22: Georgia Dabritz, Utah; Jan. 29: Ashley Morgan, Stanford

2013 Pac-12 Special Performance of the Week
Jan. 8: Nicole Dayton, Stanford; Jan. 15: Olivia Courtney, UCLA; Jan. 22: Tory Wilson, Utah; Jan. 29: Natasha Sundby, Arizona State

2013 Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Week
Jan. 8: Sophina DeJesus, UCLA; Jan. 15: Hailey Gaspar, Oregon State; Jan. 22: Shelby Edwards, Arizona; Jan. 29: Sophina DeJesus, UCLA