Gymcats climb back up, take on UCLA, Georgia this weekend


By Michael Irish
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Friday, February 25, 2005

After six falls last week against Oregon State, the Arizona gymnastics team is hoping to pick itself off the mate.

The Gymcats travel to Los Angeles to take on No. 2 UCLA and No. 8 Georgia Sunday in Pauley Pavilion.

Despite the Gymcats' first home loss of the season against the Beavers, the team moved up one spot in the rankings to No. 17.

Because the team scored 194.300 points last week, above their season average of 194.271, they were able to move up in the standings.

"Hopefully, we can be back on track this weekend and back to normal," said Gymcats head coach Bill Ryden.

"I think we can stack up well if we do our job, remember we have seen Georgia once, so we know what they have," he said. "I don't really have any fears against anybody, if we are on our game."

Senior Monica Bisordi was named Pacific 10 Conference Gymnast of the Week on Tuesday, for the week of Feb. 14-21.

"It was a shock. I was real excited," Bisordi said. "The Pac-10 is one of the most talented groups of girls, so it is really exciting for me."

Bisordi won her third consecutive all-around title last week, earning a new season high of 39.425.

"I'm very proud of her, it is well deserved," Ryden said. "She is certainly one of the best all-arounders in the country."

The Gymcats are on the road again next week as they travel to Columbus, Ohio, to take on Ohio State.