UCLA will try to forget how its defense of the National Collegiate Women's Gymnastics Championships started and concentrate more on how the event ended victoriously.

After hitting every routine in the semifinals to qualify for the team championship round, the Bruins watched as their first competitor on the floor exercise fell, posting a 9.20. The defending champions rallied, though, with each of the following competitors scoring a 9.80 or better.

The championships were held April 19-21 at Georgia.

Michigan finished third with a score of 197.275, while Alabama (196.550), Nebraska (196.025) and Utah (195.950) rounded out the top six.

"They are a very good team," Georgia coach Suzanne Yoculan said of the Bruins. "Actually, they are great. Their execution is flawless. They had some mistakes and really opened the door for us, but in the end they were just too good."

"It has been an amazing season," Bhardwaj said. "This is a great way to cap it off. After I competed on the floor, I winked at my dad, and he smiled back since this was my last collegiate competition. I will never forget it. I thought (Georgia's) Suzanne (Sears) had (the floor title), but luckily I pulled it out."

Georgia's Cory Fritzinger won the vault with a 9.881, and Theresa Kulikowski won her second career balance beam title for Utah, scoring 9.938.

"Going into tonight, I had the mindset of whatever happens, happens." Kulikowski said. "I was really tired, and my warm-ups didn't go too well. I just tried to get into the zone and pump myself up. When I got on the beam, I felt really relaxed and enjoyed myself. I'm very happy about this title. It is something I will remember forever."

Team results

(Scores for the top six teams are from the team-final session. Scores for all other teams are from the team-preliminary session.)

1. UCLA, 197.575; 2. Georgia, 197.400; 3. Michigan, 197.275; 4. Alabama, 196.550; 5. Nebraska, 196.025; 6. Utah, 195.950; 7. Florida, 195.825; 8. Stanford, 195.400; 9. Arizona St., 194.775; 10. Oklahoma, 193.875; 11. Oregon St., 193.775; 12. Denver, 193.625.

Individual results

All-around: 1. (tie) Onnie Willis, UCLA, and Elise Ray, Michigan, 39.525; 3. (tie) Jeana Rice, Alabama, Mohini Bhardwaj, UCLA, and Yvonne Tousek, UCLA, 39.475; 6. (tie) Kristin Sterner, Alabama, and Alecia Ingram, Nebraska, 39.300.

Vault: 1. Cory Fritzinger, Georgia, 9.881; 2. Katrina Severin, Oregon St., 9.8685; 3. Janessa Grieco, Michigan, 9.856; 4. Kristin Parker, UCLA, 9.8315; 5. Marline Stephens, Georgia, 9.80; 6. Laura Degenhardt, Oregon St., 9.775.

Uneven bars: 1. Yvonne Tousek, UCLA, 9.9375; 2. Onnie Willis, UCLA, 9.9125; 3. Elise Ray, Michigan, 9.90; 4. Mohini Bhardwaj, UCLA, 9.8875; 5. (tie) Tami Harris, Nebraska, Alecia Ingram, Nebraska, Doni Thompson, UCLA, and Natalie Barrington, Alabama, 9.85.

Floor exercise: 1. Mohini Bhardwaj, UCLA, 9.963; 2. Jamie Dantzscher, UCLA, 9.95; 3. Suzanne Sears, Georgia, 9.925; 4. Jill Fisher, Maryland, 9.913; 5. Onnie Willis, UCLA, 9.90; 6 (tie) Jeana Rice, Alabama and Nicki Arnstad, LSU, 9.888.

Balance beam: 1. Theresa Kulikowski, Utah, 9.9375; 2. Lindsay Wing, Stanford, 9.925; 3. (tie) Kristen Maloney, UCLA, and Melissa Vituj, Utah, 9.900; 5. Kristin Sterner, Alabama, 9.8625; 6. (tie) Elise Ray, Michigan, Lissy Smith, Alabama, and Theresa Wolf, Utah, 9.8375.