The first meetup Book 1 at UCLA Gymnastics has taken off its newest season with a bam— but not exactly the kind they were hoping for. For the tri-team warzone, the two pac-12 rivals stepped onto the floor with excitement at the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic on January 4, 2025, all full of ambition.

However, just like trying to catch your Wi-Fi signal while you’re on the move, things don’t always line up. With fierce competition from Oregon State and California. UCLA was thrown into another trajectory. Some athletes soared, others? Still finding their groove. The fans have presented their mixed opinion on their performance, what’s your take?

Well, facing off against some of the sport’s best is solid, where all the teams were ranked in the top 20 preseason. But #No. 10 UCLA couldn’t clinch the top spot.  #No. 4 California topped the chart with 196.275, while #No. 19 Oregon State followed right after that in the 2nd spot with 195.775, UCLA scored 195.250 holding onto the third place. The Bruins had a wow performance, but the win slipped through their fingers. But let’s be practical, it’s only the start, ultimate is yet to come. Next up is The Sprouts Collegiate Quad in Oklahoma City on January 10-11 which offers UCLA another shot at redemption.

Individually, the gymnasts showed impressive flashes of brilliance—With icon Jordan Chiles standout at 9.900 and Brooklyn Moors at 9.600. Freshman Macy McGowan hit 9.850 on the vault. Mica, with a score of 9.400, and Emily Lee hit it off at 9.725. The official Instagram page of UCLA Gymnastics – @uclagymnastics posted highlights from the meet with the caption “Meet 1 in the books. Back to the lab soon to get ready for the Sprouts Collegiate Quad in OKC.”

UCLA’s head coach, Janelle McDonald, acknowledged the hurdles along the way, saying, “I was not planning to start the meet like we did. Two falls and some low scores—that was not how we’ve been training. I think we just got a little bit amped up. They had some excitement mixed with nerves.” Despite the rough start, she showed optimism, “I told the team we’re going to turn the page and build from what we did today. I think a lot of the mistakes we made today were uncharacteristic, so I’m excited to dial things in and show a stronger performance next weekend.” 

Fans show the hype, the realness, and the hope

The fans were a mixed bag—some showering the team with support, others giving a little tough love. “What was that rotation? Janelle…they’re so unfocused. You’ll never win a title if they can’t lock in for meets.” Frustration was evident in the criticism, especially after a rough opening vault rotation, as two early falls on uneven bars and Chae Campbell and Paris Olympian senior Emma Malabuyo scored only 48.200, the lowest by UCLA since 2022. But the lineup’s back half solid scores balanced with the “stay positive” crowd, one fan stated, “It’s going to be a good season, Bruins! We’re all rooting for you!!!”

Other fans kept it more real: “Rough 1st meet😔 Need to improve and be consistent.” While UCLA has the talent, they need to fine-tune their routine, especially after scores like Mika Webster-Longin’s 9.400 on vault. However, fans aren’t too worried, it’s just the beginning of what’s sure to be a competitive season. Another fan embraced the “shake off the rust” mentality, commenting, “Got the cobwebs off! Let’s get cooking🤙💪🔥.” After all, it’s only the first meet, and if there’s one thing we know about gymnasts, it’s that they thrive on precision and growth. We’ll get a clearer picture of this in the upcoming Sprouts Collegiate Quad in Oklahoma City that takes place on 10-11 January.

Mika Webster-Longin’s debut didn’t go unnoticed, with one fan already declaring, “Mika killed it on her first meet! She’s def somebody to watch.” The energy around her is palpable, even if her 9.400 score wasn’t the highest. And finally, there’s the fan showing love for the stars of the night: “Only up from here🔥 Extremely proud of Jordan, Brooklyn, Macy, and Mika, they were the highlights for me🥹💙.”

Despite a few hiccups, UCLA’s talent is undeniable. Fans and coaches alike are hopeful, knowing that with time, they’ll sync up and come back stronger. The season has just begun, and the best is yet to come. Stay tuned, UCLA fans—the ride is just starting! What do you guys think? Comment below!