On Saturday, February 1st, Pauley Pavilion was fully packed to celebrate the UCLA Women’s Gymnastics team in their second home meet of the season. With an energetic student section and a plethora of supporters throughout the arena, the energy in the atmosphere was palpable. Taking on Michigan State, the UCLA team faced a tight race throughout the meet, with scores between the two teams often trailing to the tenth of a point. With Jordan Chiles and Macy McGowan leading scores on vault, and Chae Campbell, Mika Webster-Longin, Emma Malabuyo, and Esparza all delivering solid scores of 9.850 on uneven bars, the Bruins certainly had a solid opening to the meet. As Michigan continued to keep scores close, Malabuyo delivered a shocking and incredible 9.925 on her balance beam routine. In the final exercise of the night, it was neck and neck with the Michigan State Spartans as Campbell and Brooklyn Moors each earned a 10 from one of the judges. The entire meet would truly come down to the last routine of the night, Chiles on floor. Filled with professionalism and energy, Chiles stuck all her passes and showed the crowd exactly why she’s an Olympic Gold Medalist as she nailed a perfect 10 to close out the night. The Bruins took home the win by a tenth of a point and are shaping up to continue an incredible season.
Malabuyo delivers a magnificent jump during her routine, contributing to an impressive 9.90 final score. Photographed by Emily Chandler/BruinLife.
Brooklyn Moors delivered a beautifully emotional and technically stellar floor routine that earned her a score of 9.975. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
Mika Websiter-Longin shares an embrace with coach Janelle McDonald after sticking her uneven bars routine. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
Jordan Chiles dazzles the crowd as she begins her floor routine-- the team's final exercise of the night. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife
After taking a year off to train for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Chiles returned to UCLA this season as an Olympic Gold Medalist. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
Jordan Chiles celebrates her perfect 10 after sprinting across the mat in an outburst of excitement before running over to embrace her parents. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
Chiles shares in a celebration with her teammate after her score of a perfect 10 was announced to the arena. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/ BruinLife
Emily Lee performs a split leap on balance beam during her routine that scored 9.85. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/BruinLife.
Chae Campbell celebrates with her teammates after concluding her uneven bars routine. Photographed by Cathryn Kuczynski/ BruinLife.
