Who truly defines a team? Is it the biggest star, the one with the most accolades, or the athlete whose presence holds everything together? At UCLA, as the season reaches its climax, head coach Janelle McDonald made it clear—it’s not just about Olympic medalist Jordan Chiles. Instead, as the Bruins delivered a record-breaking performance, McDonald singled out a different name as the “heart and soul” of the team: Brooklyn Moors.

In a meet that felt like a storybook ending, UCLA delivered a spectacle featuring three perfect 10s, with Moors, Chiles, and Ciena Alipio etching their names into program history. Moors’ floor routine was more than just a score—it was the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and a promise she made to herself. “I want to get a 10 on the floor,” she told the Daily Bruin earlier this season. “This is my last year of gymnastics ever, so I’m really giving it my all.” And when that 10 flashed on the scoreboard, it wasn’t just a personal victory.

It was the final stamp on a legacy that her coach and teammates will never forget. Brooklyn Moors had been chasing perfection all season, delivering floor routines that felt worthy of a perfect 10 but always falling just short. That changed in the most fitting way possible. Her final year, on the biggest stage, in a moment that sent chills through the entire arena. “She’s done a lot of routines this season that we felt were deserving of the 10,” head coach Janelle McDonald said.

“Today was a special routine.” As Moors finished her performance, McDonald found herself overwhelmed with emotion. “I was like, in tears, because it just, like, gave me goosebumps,” she admitted. The routine was more than a score; it was a statement, a culmination of years of artistry and resilience that left no doubt about Moors’ impact on the program. The Bruins’ victory at the NCAA Regionals was historic in more ways than one.

UCLA’s staggering 198.450 was the highest team score in Big Ten Championship history, and Moors’ long-awaited perfect 10 was the exclamation point. It wasn’t just about numbers, though—it was about the connection, the belief, and the way the team came together. “To see them just come together and be present… was honestly one of the best coaching moments I’ve had,” McDonald said.

But while Olympians like Jordan Chiles commanded the spotlight with their star power, it was Moors whom McDonald named the true heart of the team. For Moors, the perfect 10 on the floor was the moment she had dreamed of, but her contributions stretched far beyond one routine. Throughout the season, she proved her versatility.

Posting career-best 9.9s on beam, delivering rock-solid vaults, and helping UCLA dominate in their first year in the Big Ten. At the conference championship, she hit a 9.925 on the floor, setting the stage for her breakthrough at Regionals. This time, there was no almost—her double layout soared, her triple twist was razor sharp, and her double pike stuck with absolute precision. As the judges flashed 10.0 across the board, Moors sealed her legacy in UCLA history.

A perfect sendoff: Brooklyn Moors joins UCLA’s legacy of greatness

Brooklyn Moors had spent her entire collegiate career chasing perfection, and in her final season, she finally caught it. The 24-year-old graduate student delivered a breathtaking floor routine in the fifth lineup spot, earning her first-ever perfect 10. She wasn’t the only Bruin to shine. Olympian Jordan Chiles matched her with a flawless 10.0 of her own, marking her 10th career-perfect score and Fifth on the Floor.

Junior Ciena Alipio completed UCLA’s dominant night with a stunning 10.0 on beam, executing her front aerial to back handspring series and gainer full dismount with pinpoint precision. These scores didn’t just add to the Bruins’ total; they solidified their place in gymnastics history. The trio’s perfection powered UCLA to a staggering 49.750 on beam, tying a school record, and a 49.725 on floor, securing their dominance in their first season as members of the Big Ten.

A conference known for its deep competition but minimal championship history saw the Bruins immediately assert themselves as the standard. Led by Big Ten Coach of the Year Janelle McDonald, UCLA remained unbeaten in conference play, capping their regular season with a statement 197.200 victory in the Big Four meet on March 2.

Their championship-winning score only added to their dominance, marking their eighth 197+ total of the season, with their previous high (197.950) set in February at Washington. For Moors, the perfect 10 wasn’t just about numbers—it was about the journey. Just weeks prior, she delivered a near-perfect 9.900 at Stanford, only to fall just short again against Utah with a 9.950.

The wait only built anticipation, with fans rallying behind her as she inched closer to the milestone. But Moors always viewed gymnastics as more than just scores. “I don’t care as much about the scores but rather how I make people feel,” she said. And when that long-awaited 10.0 finally flashed on the screen, it wasn’t just her moment—it was a moment for everyone who had followed her journey, making her final season one to remember.