How UCLA gymnastics turns floor exercise into an art

LOS ANGELES — The past hour and a half built up to this. The audience sat through three preceding acts but the crowd rises to its collective feet for the grand finale. Rock music pulses through Pauley Pavilion to a crescendo as UCLA takes the floor.
Valorie Kondos Field smirks confidently.
Show time.
The UCLA gymnastics head coach has emceed the best show in Westwood for years. The undefeated Bruins are consistently ranked among the nation’s leaders on floor exercise. This year is no