It’s that time of year once more – the gymnastics season has returned, and UCLA Gymnastics has enthusiastically launched into action! The Bruins commenced their season opener by facing off against Oregon State and California on Saturday, January 4, at the stunning American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Championships in Oceanside, California. The competition brought together former Pac-12 conference rivals – UCLA, California, and Oregon State – for a thrilling showdown. With all three teams ranked impressively in the preseason Top 20—California holding the 4th spot, UCLA at 10th, and Oregon State at 19th—the scene was set for an intense and spirited encounter.

But here’s where things get interesting: UCLA didn’t just suffer one loss — they lost two. The Bruins lost to Cal, 195.250-196.275, and then lost to Oregon State, 195.250-195.775. Ouch! It was a rough beginning for the team, and head coach Janelle McDonald didn’t hold back in confronting it. In a rare moment of candor, she reflected on the team’s struggles, acknowledging that the season opener didn’t exactly land smoothly.

UCLA Gymnastics sees ‘L’ in the season opener!

UCLA’s meet stumbled right out of the gate and wasn’t the dazzling start fans were hoping for, according to the LA Times. The uneven bars routine of graduate student Chae Campbell did not go as planned when she hit the floor. Just one routine later, senior Emma Malabuyo overextended her first handstand and slipped off her low bar, adding another moment of heartbreak to already sky high nerves.

The result? One of these uncharacteristic falls from UCLA’s veteran gymnasts had to be counted, kicking off the competition with a 48.200 on bars, their lowest score in this event since Janelle McDonald took over in 2023. “I was not planning to start the meet like we did,” McDonald candidly shared. “I think they just got a little bit amped up. They had a little bit of excitement, mixed with nerves probably. Those are definitely moments we’re going to really learn from and take with us.” A tough start for sure, but hey, these moments build character—and the Bruins are nothing if not resilient!

Emma Malabuyo hit a 9.900 on uneven bars and Chae Campbell had a solid 9.850 on vault in the season opener. But this was the lowest score UCLA has seen since Janelle McDonald took the reins of the Bruins. Yet, under her leadership there have been plenty of bright moments, so let’s find out about them!

Janelle McDonald and The Bruins!

Janelle McDonald, with over 20 years of coaching experience, took over UCLA Gymnastics on May 9, 2022, and made an immediate impact. She took the Bruins back into the spotlight in just one season, leading them to a fifth place finish at the NCAA Championships and a Pac-12 regular season co-championship. UCLA soared to No. 4 nationally under McDonald’s guidance, a 10 spot jump from the previous year. McDonald’s Bruins were an average of 197.774 per season, nearly a one point improvement from the previous season, and got a season average of 197 or better in most meets, including three scores of 198 or better.

McDonald has been on display all season, coaching standout performances from Jordan Chiles, who won NCAA and Pac-12 titles on uneven bars and floor exercise. The Bruins earned a total of 11 postseason All-America honors and McDonald’s emphasis on the uneven bars helped the squad climb 14 spots in the national rankings to No. 5. UCLA’s bars team scored a 49.487, averaging eight scores of 49.500 or better, including a school record 49.725, the third highest score in history. UCLA gymnastics went 24 for 24 in 12 of 14 meets, the most by any team in UCLA history.

In 2024, McDonald continued her success, guiding UCLA to a second-place finish at the Pac-12 Championships and coaching three Bruins to All-America honors. She also helped Emma Malabuyo qualify for the Paris Olympics after earning a bronze-medal finish in the all-around at the 2024 Asian Games. With McDonald at the helm, UCLA gymnastics is set for even more impressive achievements in the future.