Nia Dennis was on her way to practice when a text message stopped the UCLA gymnast in her tracks.
Health officials cautioned the UCLA gymnastics team against practicing that day. The Bruins had a positive COVID-19 case. It was their last day of practice before a two-week break for Christmas.
“It was kind of like a what’s-going-on moment,” the senior said as teammates grappled with whether it was safe to return home to their families and what it meant with the team’s season opener just weeks away.
The year had provided many trials already, but that day in December was the “peak struggle,” coach Chris Waller said.