UCLA's Samantha Peszek out for the Season

Dec 17, 2012 by Anne Phillips

2008 Olympic silver medalist Samantha Peszek of UCLA suffered a season ending injury today, tearing her achilles during preseason training.

The star gymnast tweeted today:

‏"@samanthapeszek: Big huge thanks to my team for helping me through today....tore my Achilles. Taking the red eye home tonight. Ready to get back to Indy"

Peszek is in her junior year at UCLA and was the NCAA Champion on beam as a freshman in 2011 with a rouine highlighted by a standing full.

Peszek was dominant in the all around most of last season and helped the Bruins to a second place finish nationally.

She plans to have surgery as quickly as possible and will redshirt the upcoming season. She will have two years of eligibility remaining.

"It's unfortunate for me, but I think it will be good for the team; it will make everyone stronger," Peszek said. "My teammates have been so supportive and have been telling me what to expect, so that has been nice."

Achilles tears have proven to be a common injury in NCAA gymnastics, but many have been able to make full recoveries including Georgia star Courtney Kupets and Peszek's Bruin teammate Vanessa Zamarripa.

Said UCLA head coach Valorie Kondos Field, "We all feel badly for Sam; she works so incredibly hard. We know, from others who have recovered from this injury, that she will be back even stronger next season. We also know that teams almost always unite and become stronger when one of their teammates go down."

She will be missed in NCAA competition this season and we wish her all the best in a speedy recovery.

Second-ranked UCLA begins it season on Sunday, Jan. 6 against Southern Utah in Pauley Pavilion.