The UCLA Bruins gymnastics team stood tall on April 19, 2025, clinching a hard-fought second place at the NCAA Championship final in Fort Worth, Texas, with a score of 197.6125, just behind the champion Oklahoma Sooners who scored 198.0125. It was a close fight. The first round ended with the Bruins and the Sooners tying at 49.6125 on the floor and the balance beam resspectively. For the rest of the three events too, the Bruins delivered one standout performance after another. Although the team fell short of securing the championship, it was still a marked improvement from preceding years. For one of the seniors, teammate to Olympic star Jordan Chiles, the moment was bittersweet—a near miss at the title but a testament to a program reborn.

Chae Campbell, a veteran of the Bruins’ rollercoaster journey, delivered a standout performance, capping her final season with a floor routine that electrified fans, scoring 9.925. A phenomenal score that sealed UCLA’s podium-finish fate. Yet, her post-meet reflections revealed a deeper story of loyalty, legacy, and lingering questions about her future. What made this moment so unforgettable for Campbell?

Nothing compares to the rush of nailing a floor routine, and for Campbell, that feeling defined her UCLA career. “I’ll never get tired of that feeling of finishing a floor routine and nailing it for the team,” Campbell said, her words brimming with passion. As she tumbled and twisted across the mat, the roar of the crowd fueled her, each landing a love letter to her team. “I’ve seen this program at its worst, I’ve seen it at its best now,” said Campbell.  The adrenaline, the unity, the stakes—it was a high she chased every meet. But could she ever find that same spark elsewhere?

Indeed, Campbell’s connection to UCLA runs deeper than most, and her post-final comments hinted at an uncertain future. “I don’t know when, or if I’ll ever get the same gratification that I get when I compete for UCLA,” she admitted, her voice tinged with both gratitude and melancholy. Having competed in 47 meets across her career, with a career-high 9.950 on bars, Campbell’s loyalty to the Bruins is unquestionable. Yet, as she steps away from collegiate gymnastics, the question looms: can professional circuits or other ventures replicate the magic of Pauley Pavilion? What shaped her profound bond with UCLA?

Campbell’s covalent bond with UCLA

To understand Campbell’s devotion, you have to rewind through the Bruins’ turbulent years. “The goal was to have the legacy restored, and I think we did that,” said Campbell, who competed under former coach Chris Waller before his resignation in 2022 amid criticism of the program’s direction. When Waller left, UCLA’s legacy as a gymnastics powerhouse—boasting seven NCAA titles—was at a low ebb. Campbell, a freshman in 2020, endured inconsistent seasons, including a ninth-place finish in 2021. But under new leadership and with stars like Chiles, the Bruins clawed back, culminating in their 2025 silver-medal performance.  How did she contribute to this revival?

As a senior, Campbell was more than a competitor; she was a cornerstone of UCLA’s resurgence. Her consistency—scoring 9.9 or higher in 12 routines across 2025—steadied the team, while her leadership inspired younger gymnasts. The Bruins’ 2025 season saw them rank third nationally in floor exercise (49.225 average), a testament to Campbell’s influence. Her final floor routine in the NCAA finals wasn’t just a score; it was a statement of resilience, a nod to the program she helped rebuild. But what does the future hold for Campbell and the legacy she leaves behind?

Ultimately, Campbell’s story is one of triumph tempered by introspection. The second-place finish, while agonizingly close to gold, cemented UCLA’s return to elite status, a feat Campbell takes immense pride in. Yet, her candid admission about the irreplaceable highs of competing for UCLA reveals a gymnast grappling with the end of an era. As she moves forward, whether to professional gymnastics or new horizons, her role in restoring UCLA’s legacy is undeniable. Will Campbell ever find a stage that rivals the one she shared with her Bruins? Only time will tell, but for now, her final routine echoes as a fitting farewell to a program she helped redefine.