UCLA women’s gymnastics left West Valley City with a third-place finish Saturday, scoring 197.000 at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad in a meet that featured four of the nation’s top programs.
Oklahoma and LSU shared the top score of 197.500, with the Sooners taking first through a tiebreaker that counted all six routines on each event. Utah followed UCLA with a 195.900.
The Bruins showed their sharpest execution on uneven bars, where the lineup produced a 49.425 to open the meet. Freshman Tiana Sumanasekera entered the bars lineup for the first time this season and delivered a 9.900. Senior Jordan Chiles matched that score later in the rotation, helping UCLA sit in the standings after one event.
Balance beam shifted the meet. A counted fall dropped UCLA’s total to 49.125, marking the lowest beam score of the season. Despite the mistake, the rotation ended with a strong anchor performance from Senior Ciena Alipio, who earned a 9.925 to stabilize the score.
UCLA moved to floor next and improved its total from the season opener, finishing with a 49.175. Junior Katelyn Rosen opened with a 9.800 and went on to hit that number or higher on every event. Alipio made her first appearance on floor this season with a 9.800, while Chiles recorded the top floor score of the meet with a 9.925.
The Bruins closed the competition on vault, totaling 49.275. Five routines reached at least 9.825, led by Chiles’ 9.900 in the anchor position. Sumanasekera added a 9.875 in the leadoff spot, capping a strong all-around showing. Chiles finished second in the all-around with a 39.575. Sumanasekera scored 39.350 in her collegiate all-around debut, and Rosen posted a season-high 39.325.
UCLA will return home next weekend to open its home schedule against Nebraska on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 3 p.m. in Pauley Pavilion.
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Featured Image via Bruinlife Archives
