June 6, 2008

Incoming freshman Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs won the all-around at the 2008 Canadian National Gymnastics Championships on Thursday evening in Calgary, scoring 57.900 to top 2007 national champion Kristina Vaculik (57.200).

Hopfner-Hibbs, who won the 2006 all-around title, posted the night's top scores on vault (14.9), uneven bars (14.10), and balance beam (15.30). She will compete for more titles on Saturday during the individual event finals.

Aisha Gerber, who will be joining Hopfner-Hibbs at UCLA in the fall, competed on vault (10th place) and floor exercise (seventh) during Tuesday's preliminary session.

Other members of UCLA's 2009 freshman class have also had seen success this season. Tauny Frattone placed third in the all-around and second on beam at the Level 10 Nationals after winning the vault and bars at the State Championships. At the Region V Championships, Vanessa Zamarripa won the all-around and vault, and Kaelie Baer placed sixth in the all-around and third on vault and bars to qualify for Nationals.