Can this be the season in which UCLA Gymnastics comes good? They started #10 for the season, but following the Penn State meet on February 14, UCLA is in the top 2. Yes, it’s just week 7; we know. However, they have looked like a consistent unit, spearheaded by Jordan Chiles herself. They are on an 8-win streak, high on confidence, especially after a dominating win against Penn State. UCLA will be targeting the Big 10 Championship match on March 22, not to mention the ultimate goal will be the NCAA title.

UCLA’s good run has seen them go past reigning champions LSU. It is too early for the UCLA roster to celebrate, but there should be a pat on their backs for how they have performed this season, and a special shoutout to our Paris Olympics gymnast star Jordan Chiles, their lead performer.

UCLA can depend on its Olympic gold medalist

In case you don’t know, Chiles is currently the leader in floor exercise with a 9.955. The way her energy shows in her floor routine, each double layout that she executes, it’s breathtaking and awe-inspiring. Add to that, Chiles is unique because of the way she chooses the music for her floor exercise event. Grooving to hip-hop, or performing with Beyoncé’s songs in the background, Chiles is a treat and an absolute burst of energy in her floor event.

But if only she had ended it at that. The Paris Olympics bronze medal winner on the floor takes part in all 4 events for UCLA. Obvious to say, Jordan Chiles is UCLA’s icon and the one who sets the standard in the gymnastics program. In fact, against Penn State, she scored the joint-highest on uneven bars, and she was the all-around winner on the night. With her, UCLA is on the right track.

After all, her numbers are up there amongst the best of the best. Fellow Olympics teammate, Jade Carey, is the overall leader in all-around with 39.675. Where’s Jordan Chiles in terms of numbers? Not too far behind. Against Penn State, she had 39.600. Chiles has been turning up every week and setting the standards. In fact, with her as the reference, other UCLA gymnasts have leveled themselves up, and no wonder that’s showing for UCLA in terms of their rankings in the table.

It is a team effort and with Jordan Chiles as the focal point, the West Coast program has seen the rest of the roster come together and put UCLA in the 2nd position.

Being 2nd means it’s not just Jordan Chiles

With a tally of 197.455 after week 7, UCLA coach Janelle McDonald must be proud and beaming with joy. It was in 2022 that she took over a broken gymnastics program at UCLA. Since then, the work she has done is top-notch, and she has made a competitive bunch out of these talented gymnasts.

The Penn State meet was the second consecutive time UCLA won every individual event. Frida Esparza scored her career-high 9.975 on the bars against Penn State. Mika-Webster Longin hit her career-high numbers on vault with 9.850. Even Chiles’ UCLA teammate Brooklyn Moors is matching her scores in floor exercises. The whole team is performing at an amazing level, and it’s just so satisfying to watch for a UCLA fan.

If we leave out the week 1 loss to Oregon and California in the American Gold Classic, UCLA has won each of 7 out of 8 meets by a difference of more than 1 point. In some cases, the margin has been larger and completely dominating.

This UCLA Gymnastics unit looks good and clinical. But it depends on how they close out the next 4 weeks.