The Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio, buzzed in anticipation as Jordan Chiles and co. took the mat on Sunday. Requiring just one win to create history, the Bruins faced off against three of their biggest rivals. Thankfully, the team, under Janelle McDonald, was able to hold their nerves. Defeating the likes of Rutgers, Nebraska, and Ohio State, the UCLA Bruins clinched the Big Ten regular season championship. And mind you, this was their debut season in the conference. Surprisingly, despite such a strong showing, their win might have gone in vain! 

Now, there is no doubt about the fact that the Bruins’ recent accomplishment was quite the feat. But taking a look at the bigger picture, it might not be of much use. Especially when Jordan Chiles and co. are eyeing the NCAA title. In the week 9 top 10 rankings released, the UCLA Bruins are currently placed at the third position.

Thus, it is quite evident that in order to climb the ladder further, Chiles and her team will have to put a lot more effort into their upcoming games. While Oklahoma has maintained their position at the top, the Bruins would first need to topple LSU. Sitting pretty in second place, the LSU is being backed by some meticulous performances from the likes of Olivia Dunne.

After having won the NCAA title last year, Dunne and her team will be eager to repeat their heroics this year too. Moreover, last year, Olivia Dunne was criticized for being in the reserves as LSU won the title. Thus, this year, Dunne would like to bring in her main character mode and guide LSU to victory. However, a look at the top three teams will reveal that there is not much difference in points.

While Oklahoma is currently at 197.915, LSU is 197.710. Thus, with 197.525 points, the UCLA Bruins can surely look to bridge the gap in the upcoming games. Meanwhile, en route to fulfilling their dream, there are some hiccups that need to be addressed. In their recent match too, coach Janelle McDonald vented out her frustrations.

She said, “Today was not a perfect day for us, by any means. We definitely have some things to clean up… Today we needed to work on mindset, being aggressive, and being present in every moment. We definitely have work to do and confidence to build before we get to the Big Ten Championships.” 

Moreover, their best performer, Jordan Chiles, has also suffered from a dip in form. With the latest rankings out, Chiles is ranked sixth, leading the floor event jointly with Jordan Bowers scoring 9.960. Thus, with numerous tensions piling up, the road ahead looks quite a bumpy ride for the Bruins.

NCAA Gymnastics heats up while Jade Carey speaks out as championship season kicks into high gear

The road to the 2025 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships is heating up, with key conference meets and regional battles set to determine the nation’s top contenders. As teams prepare for their biggest challenges, Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey recently shared her thoughts following Oregon State’s performance at the Stanford quad meet.

Carey, who did not compete in the February 28 event, watched as her Oregon State Beavers finished third with a score of 196.625, trailing California (197.675) and Stanford (197.025). Despite the setback, Carey took to Instagram to acknowledge her team’s efforts, making it clear that she remains proud of their resilience. Oregon State will aim for redemption in their next test against San Jose State on March 9.

Meanwhile, powerhouse programs are gearing up for major conference championships. The Big Ten Championships will unfold in Ann Arbor from March 21–22, where UCLA and Michigan State enter as favorites but will face pressure from No. 15 Minnesota and No. 17 Michigan. The SEC Championships are also set for March 22, though the location remains undisclosed.

From April 2–6, teams will battle in the NCAA Gymnastics Regional Championships at four host sites—Alabama, Penn State, Utah, and Washington—to secure their spots at the national stage. The ultimate showdown will take place at the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth from April 17–19, where the country’s top eight programs and standout individuals will vie for the prestigious title.

With the season reaching its peak, every routine, every score, and every moment counts. Whether it’s Carey’s Oregon State looking for a bounce-back performance or title contenders solidifying their dominance, the stage is set for an electrifying conclusion to the 2025 gymnastics season.