March 8, 2011

UCLA senior Niki Tom (Northridge, CA) has been awarded Pac-10 Special Performance of the Week honors for Feb. 28-Mar. 6.

Competing for the final time at home in the regular season, Tom saved her best for last, tying her career-high on floor exercise with a 9.9 as the second performer up. Tom's score gave her a tie for first place in the meet and her first event win of the year. It was also her first career floor victory. Tom, who entered last week's competition ranked 20th in the nation on floor, holds the Bruins' highest floor average this year with a score of 9.844. She also had a Top 10 finish on beam, scoring 9.775.

The Special Performance of the Week nod is Tom's first of her career and UCLA's 15th all-time.

Also receiving weekly honors was Oregon State's Makayla Stambaugh, who earned Pac-10 Gymnast of the Week honors.

ALSO NOMINATED:
Gymnast of the Week: Ruby Engreitz, WASH; Tauny Frattone, UCLA; Ashley Morgan, STAN; Molly Quirk, ARIZ; Madisyn O'Brien, CAL.
Special Performance of the Week: Olivia Vivian, OSU; Deanna Graham, ARIZ; Samantha Walior, WASH; Nicole Pechanec, STAN; Nicolette Lew, CAL.

2011 Pac-10 Gymnasts of the Week: Jan. 12 - Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs, UCLA; Jan. 18 - Leslie Mak, OSU; Jan. 25 - Shelley Alexander, STAN; Feb. 1 - Allyse Ishino, STAN; Feb. 8 - Aubree Cristello, ARIZ; Feb. 15 - Deanna Graham, ARIZ; Feb. 22 - Ruby Engreitz, WASH; Mar. 01 - Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs, UCLA; Mar. 8 - Makayla Stambaugh, OSU.

2011 Pac-10 Special Performance of the Week: Jan. 12 - Olivia Vivian, OSU; Jan. 18 - Olivia Vivian, OSU; Jan. 25 - Ashley Morgan, STAN; Feb. 1 - Miranda Russell, ARIZ; Feb. 8 - Nicole Pechanec, STAN; Feb. 15 - Samantha Peszek, UCLA; Feb. 22 - Tauny Frattone, UCLA; Mar. 01 - Katie Matusik, ARIZ; Mar. 8 - Niki Tom, UCLA.