The girls are feeling all the love this season. Crowds cheered after watching senior Jordan Chiles score a perfect 10.000 for the third consecutive week on floor. Spreading awareness, celebrating inclusivity and taking yet again another win during UCLA’s annual pride meet.
UCLA gymnastics moved the crowd with emotion Friday night at Pauley Pavilion. The No.5 UCLA Bruins gymnastics team (7–2, 3–0 Big Ten) faced Washington (2–5, 1–1 Big Ten) for the second time this season, after last meeting at the Best of the West Quad in Seattle. The Bruins placed first scoring 196.975 and Washington placing third with a score of 195.625.
Heading straight into vault, UCLA senior Madison Anyimi sprinted with electricity and landed one of the highest high scores of 9.900 in vaults. Flowing in moments after, freshman Tiana Sumanasekera strode into a solid landing. Sumanasekera let the crowd know who’s at home after scoring a 9.875.
“It’s really important to trust the team.” said coach Janelle McDonald regarding the amount of freshmen on her team, “It’s really important [to look up to upperclassmen in sisterhood]. I think that’s one of the things that I need to shuffle,…you can be so hardworking and you know it can still be so difficult.”
Washington treaded right behind UCLA though close calls, efforts and scores. Kristen Lin started off on bars and scored a 9.775. However, UCLA drew in their unmatchable scores and routines this meet. Entering bars, Chiles stunned the crowd in anticipation. In smooth switches between each bar, she struck her landing and scored a 9.975. UCLA senior Ciena Alipio, scored a high 9.950 and brought the Bruins to a total of 49.550.
“She’s always been an incredibly hard worker.” said McDonald about Alipio. “That’s always been her mentality, that grit and determination to help her team no matter what.”
Strutting onto the beam, UCLA junior Katelyn Rosen raised the standard, delivering a poised routine capped by a 9.980. Moments later, UCLA freshman Jordis Eichman captured her moment and stole the crowd’s breath through her beam routine, scoring a 9.875. Keeping up with her team, Chiles performed her routine with eye-catching choreography, allowing her to land with ease and score a 9.950.
The beam was not the only landing Chiles stuck that night. Chiles brought in that 80’s love through her choreography on the floor. Combined with classic 80’s dances, smooth blends paired with each jump and a landing that scored her, yet again another perfect 10.000.
UCLA took home their 3rd consecutive win in a row against Washington with a final score of 198.150-195.775. Chiles placed first in vault, bars, beam and floor, making her the top for all around.
Riding a wave of momentum, UCLA gymnastics will head to Minnesota for an exciting road meet on Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. PST.
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Featured Image Photographed by Catherine Rodriguez/BruinLife
