Senior Night at Pauley Pavilion was supposed to be nothing short of magical. It was a night of celebration, nostalgia, and breathtaking performances. This was UCLA’s beloved stars’ final opportunity to shine in front of their home crowd. And Jordan Chiles’ senior teammate Brooklyn Moors? She delivered a floor routine that felt more like an artistic masterpiece than a gymnastics set. Yet, in a moment that left fans, teammates, and even commentators frustrated, she fell victim to the all-too-familiar controversy of NCAA gymnastics scoring.

Moors, a 2020 Olympian and a force of elegance on the floor, had been nothing short of spectacular all season. Her season average of 9.944, the highest in the nation, spoke for itself. While No. 3 UCLA gymnastics delivered a commanding 197.675-197.100 victory over Stanford, a perfect 10 seemed inevitable for Moors’ performance. But was that the case? Oh, well…

Brooklyn Moors entered the UCLA Athletics press conference alongside Jordan Chiles, carrying herself with the same grace she brings to the competition floor. Despite the frustration surrounding her score, she remained focused on what truly mattered to her. “At the same time, I just have to remember that I don’t care as much about the scores and all that but rather like how I make people feel,” Moors reflected. For her, gymnastics was never just about the numbers. It was also about the emotion, and the connection with the audience. And on this night, the standing ovation from Pauley Pavilion proved that she had done exactly that.

Moors also took a moment to acknowledge her teammate Chae Campbell, who revived a routine that many had never seen performed live. “I know Chae is the exact same bringing that routine back, you know, and no one got to experience that in person, so the fact that she was able to do that in such a big crowd today was incredible,” she shared.

Chae’s near-perfect routine got just 9.825. Even as she celebrated the emotional weight of the moment, Moors didn’t deny the reality of competitive gymnastics. The 24-year-old gymnast added, “We want those big scores. It’s not in our control.” Yet, for Moors, there was always a bigger purpose beyond the scoreboard, “As long as we make someone or make the crowd feel a certain way, like, I know I did my job.” And in that sense, she had already won.

The energy in the arena was electric. But when the score flashed a 9.925, something didn’t sit right. The moment that should have been pure joy carried an undertone of disbelief. Well, after all, it was Moore’s final senior night!

An emotional farewell and an unforgettable senior night

Jordan Chiles posted an all-around score of 39.370, the highest in the Big Ten Conference this season—an incredible achievement on such an emotional night. But beyond the scores, Senior Night was also a bittersweet reminder that this was the final chapter for many gymnasts. Years of friendships, shared struggles, and triumphs all led to this moment, and for some, it was their last time wearing the UCLA leotard.

Chiles felt the weight of the night in a deeply personal way. Entering the press conference alongside her favorite senior, Brooklyn Moors, Chiles struggled to hold back her emotions. Reflecting on the moment, she admitted, “For me, it was knowing that I was supposed to graduate with this class. I was supposed to graduate with the class before as well. So it’s like, knowing that they have put so much work and effort into what they have established not only within themselves as athletes but just as people as well.”

That realization hit hard. Had she not missed years of college gymnastics due to her elite career, Chiles, too, would have been playing her final game as a Bruin this season. The thought visibly shook her. Seeing her teammate so overcome with emotion, Moors couldn’t help but reflect on her own journey. “Yeah, for me, I didn’t feel anything too much until I woke up this morning, and I was like, ‘Oh, like it’s happening,’ and I was like, ‘No, I’m not going to cry or anything.’” But once she stepped onto the floor, the memories of her younger self came flooding back, and the weight of the moment truly set in.

While this chapter is closing for Moors and many of UCLA’s seniors, the night ended on the best possible note. And for Chiles, her journey is far from over. Let us know in the comments what you think the future holds for Brooklyn Moors and UCLA.