For a long time, gymnastics fans were craving some action on the mat. As soon as the NCAA 2024-25 season began, everyone eagerly anticipated the gymnasts’ performances for their respective universities. However, the expectations on Jordan Chiles were more than ever. Indeed, she had lost her Olympic bronze medal, and the fans wanted to see nothing but redemption from her, representing UCLA.

Despite Chiles’ outstanding performance, the team was unable to make up for it, resulting in a significant loss for them. It was surely heartbreaking for the fans, as they watched the Olympian do everything she could, only to not secure a win. However, after watching UCLA not perform to their best in the first match, their coach, Janelle McDonald, issued an inspirational statement, looking forward to their future in the NCAA.

Not focusing much on past mistakes

A coach in any team is a leader who guides these youngsters to glory. The same is true for UCLA, which boasts a very young roster. Although the gymnasts have some experience, nothing compares to the guidance that a coach like Janelle McDonald can provide. Indeed, she has been with the college for a few seasons, and she knows how to guide her gymnasts back to glory.

But what actually happened during the match between the No. 10 UCLA Bruins and the No. 4 California Golden Bears? There were two critical falls on the bars and many errors on the beams from her gymnasts that cost them the match. However, as reported by the Daily Bruin, McDonald is ready to ignore those past mistakes, as she promises it won’t happen again, stating, “I’m putting zero weight on how last weekend went, and I am encouraging our team to do that as well. Take the lessons away from it, learn from it, grow from it, and let’s go out next weekend with a really intentional mindset.”

McDonald surely has the mindset of a true leader! Indeed, she is aware that there were problems in her team, but she wants her gymnasts to work on them and be more ready for the future. With her experience, she wants the UCLA Bruins to learn and grow from their mistakes and establish a dominant performance in their next matches, which will be against many formidable opponents like Arkansas, Kentucky, and Ohio State.

During the team’s later struggles, who among the Bruins gave their best? It was Jordan Chiles. The NCAA stage was hers to dominate, and she did prove what an Olympic gymnast can do in these collegiate events. Chiles put up a dominant 9.9+ in the first two events and claimed her vault title. Despite the pressure, Chiles showcased a new skill by competing in an intricate tucked vault, achieving a near stick score of 9.90. Her performance on the mat ended with a big salute to the judges, who were just captivated by her showcase. However, while she’s aiming for her title in the NCAA, one of Chiles’ major rivals recently joined a big program.

Jordan Chiles’ Romanian rival makes big NCAA move

The American dream came true for Jordan Chiles’ rival Ana Barbosu, who got accepted at Stanford University. Indeed, the official announcement left everyone, especially the American gymnast’s fans, in utter shock. Why so? Do you remember what happened in the floor exercise finals at the Paris Olympics? A decision from CAS and FIG stripped Chiles of her bronze medal, awarding it to Barbosu.

The controversy is still an ongoing issue, but Barbosu has moved forward in her career. Taking to Instagram, she wrote about this experience, stating, “It feels almost surreal to announce that I’ve been accepted to Stanford University!” Indeed, such moments are rare and should be celebrated to the utmost. Sanford is not only an excellent campus for academic pursuits, but it also boasts a highly competitive Division 1 NCAA team. So what are fans hoping? Maybe a gymnastics bout between Barbosu and Chiles again? Only time will tell.