Chae Campbell, a senior gymnast for UCLA, has played a key role in her team’s dominating performance against Cal. In the recent gymnastics meet against California on February 25, the No. 9 UCLA team scored a solid 197.775, hitting all routines. However, No. 3 California’s spectacular score of 198.400 surpassed them. Despite that, UCLA recorded some of the notable performances, including stellar routines from Campbell.

Campbell demonstrated received a career-high score of 9.95 on bars, while remaining optimistic about UCLA’s trajectory to peak towards the end of the season. Campbell also performed on the beam lineup after dealing with an injury, indicating progress in her recovery.

Chae Campbell shines despite injury

UCLA gymnasts Chae Campbell and Emily Lee recently addressed the media after the recent matchup against Cal, which took place on Feb. 25, 2024. UCLA Athletics took to its YouTube channel to post the interview titled, “Postmeet Press Conference – Chae Campbell, Emily Lee (02-25-24).” Chae Campbell talked about her injury and her aspirations for the team post her phenomenal comeback.

Campbell has been consistent in the anchor position since the start of college gymnastics. Talking about her performances and return to the beam lineup after the injury, she adds, “Hopefully very soon. Surprisingly, beam hurts the least…so that’s kind of the event I’ve been training a lot…my injury, it’s getting a lot better, so I’m hoping to be back very soon.”

She expressed pride in achieving a season-high score on bars, even scoring a perfect 10 from one of the judges. But beams are what she aims at given the status of her recovery. Her career includes recognition as a first-team All-American, and recognition as one of the best vaulters. But, she intends to exercise her versatility and experiment on the beams. She remarked during the interview, “but I’m very proud that I was able to do the events that are not considered my strongest and do well on those, so I’ll take that as a win.”

UCLA eyes victory in upcoming matchup

Emily Lee and Chae Campbell had delivered career-high performances against Cal. However, even though UCLA delivered solid routines, they could not beat the California gymnastics team. Hence, they are intensely focused on the forthcoming matchups.

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UCLA is ready to dive into a two-meet road journey this March as they will be facing Stanford and Arizona State. This will also be the ending of their Pac-12 Conference play. The matchup with Stanford is scheduled for March 2. Thereafter, they have a dual meet against Arizona State on March 9th. The home meet against Clemson will follow closely enough on March 16th at Pauley Pavilion.

Campbell is hopeful to see UCLA rise atop the rankings as she is ready to give her best.