Los Angeles, CA—-The No. 5 UCLA gymnastics team secured its fifth straight Big Ten Conference victory with a commanding 197.675-195.450 win over No. 25 Penn State at Pauley Pavilion, presented by Wescom. The Bruins (8-2, 5-0 Big Ten) delivered a season-best 49.575 on the uneven bars and recorded ten scores of 9.9 or higher.
For the second consecutive meet, UCLA gymnasts claimed individual titles in every event. Jordan Chiles took home the all-around crown, sharing top honors on the uneven bars and floor exercise. Freshman Mika Webster-Longin delivered a standout performance on vault, tying Penn State’s Maddie Johnston for first place with a career-high 9.850. Frida Esparza set the tone early by playing the national anthem on electric guitar before dazzling on the uneven bars, tying with Chiles for first place with a career-best 9.975.
Emily Lee made the most of her only routine, earning a 9.925 as the leadoff performer on balance beam. On the floor, Brooklyn Moors and Chiles impressed with matching 9.950 scores.
The Bruins opened the meet with a steady 49.100 on vault, with all six competitors posting scores of 9.800 or better. Riley Jenkins and Moors got the team off to a strong start with consecutive 9.800s, while Webster-Longin followed with her event-winning 9.850.
Chae Campbell and Chiles notched back-to-back 9.825s, and Macy McGowan rounded out the rotation with a 9.800. Penn State closed its uneven bars rotation with a total of 48.825, leaving UCLA ahead by 0.275.
UCLA surged ahead in the second rotation, posting a season-high 49.575 on the uneven bars and extending its lead to a full point. Campbell set the pace with a season-best 9.875, sticking her double front dismount. Webster-Longin added a 9.825, followed by Emma Malabuyo’s career-high-tying 9.900. McGowan contributed a strong 9.850 before Esparza and Chiles sealed the rotation with back-to-back 9.975s, boosting the Bruins to a 98.675-97.675 advantage.
Momentum carried into the third rotation, where UCLA delivered a stellar 49.450 on balance beam. Lee led off with a meet-high 9.925, setting the standard for the event. Chiles followed with a 9.850, while Campbell and Moors delivered consecutive 9.900s, with Moors matching her career-best. Ciena Alipio added a solid 9.875, and Malabuyo closed the rotation with a 9.825. Heading into the final event, the Bruins held a commanding 148.125-146.525 lead.
With this impressive performance, UCLA is poised to move into the Top 2 in the national rankings when the National Qualifying Score (NQS) system takes effect next week. The Bruins will next face Michigan in a highly anticipated showdown on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 4 p.m. ET.
Final Team Standings:
- UCLA – 197.675
- Penn State – 195.450
Individual Event Winners:
All-Around: Jordan Chiles, UCLA (39.600)
Vault: Mika Webster-Longin, UCLA & Maddie Johnston, Penn State (9.850)
Uneven Bars: Frida Esparza & Jordan Chiles, UCLA (9.975)
Balance Beam: Emily Lee, UCLA (9.925)
Floor Exercise: Brooklyn Moors & Jordan Chiles, UCLA (9.950)
