On January 4, Jordan Chiles made her comeback for the Bruins’ at the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic in Oceanside, California, after returning from the Olympics and donning the UCLA blue and gold once more. Expectations were sky-high for her much-anticipated return to the sport she loves and dominates on the mat. But couldn’t live up to the expectations, as UCLA scored one of the lowest-ever scores in history.

With UCLA playing against the University of California and Oregon State, the game was essentially a Pac-12 reunion. It’s only the beginning, even if the Bruins finished last with a 195.250 record, trailing No. 4 Cal and No. 19 Oregon State. Brooklyn Moors and Jordan Chiles were among the season openers. At the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic in Oceanside, UCLA gymnast Brooklyn Moors soars through the air during a floor exercise routine.

The star, Chiles, anchored on vault with a Yurchenko half with a front tuck half, which had a start value of 10.0. Result? With a team-high 9.900, her star power was undeniable. Gymnastics is a team sport. Every team aspires to have her as their spark. However, UCLA is not a one-woman operation. According to the LA Times, Chiles said, “Coming out here being a grad student and adding events to something that you know you always want to be able to enjoy.” She further added, “Having this ability to dominate and do what you need to do is amazing.”

Moors received a score of 9.825 after landing a front-tuck full dismount, much to the joy of her supporting colleagues. The Bruins finished the event with a score of 49.050. Chiles also found Moors’ performance to be impressive. Returning to her specialty, Moors performed her floor routine inspired by Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games,” slaying her acrobatic series to earn a 9.900, which tied her for first place on the day before her season premiere on vault. Only on the beam and floor did UCLA score higher than 49.

Jordan Chiles expressed her feelings even on social media. UCLA had a rough start to the match. Chae Campbell, a graduate student, fell to the ground while performing her uneven bars routine. Senior Emma Malabuyo overextended her first handstand and fell from the low bar after one routine. The Bruins began with a 48.200 score, their lowest bars score since McDonald took over the program in 2023, after accounting for one of the two veteran gymnasts’ falls.

What’s next for UCLA?

Unfortunately, the UCLA team couldn’t live up to the expectations as the season opened with the lowest score. But it doesn’t mean that the team has lost all the chances to bring back the charm. They still have many opportunities coming their way, with the NCAA championship in April. What other opportunities does UCLA have?

Very soon, ‘Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad’ is scheduled for January 11. The UCLA team will perform against Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ohio State. After that, the ‘Big Fours’ is also scheduled against Ohio State, Rutgers, and Nebraska on March 2, and March 9 is reserved for Stanford and Utah.

When all of this concludes, Big Ten champions, NCAA regionals, and NCAA championships are also scheduled. The UCLA team, with members like Jordan Chiles, Brooklyn Moors, and others, will soar high and claim the victory. Let’s see what the future unfolds for UCLA.