Jordan Chiles is putting on a superhero-like performance in UCLA gymnastics
One by one, comic book-style designs of UCLA gymnasts appeared on the jumbotron. But it was clear that Bruin had been deleted.
“Wait, we’re missing someone,” text bubble in An introductory video about the team Confirm.
Just as she soared through the sky in the video, like a superhero, Jordan Chiles returned to Westwood for the first time since winning team gold at the Paris Olympics. And just as the crowd erupted as the public address announcer roared her name as fireworks exploded behind her, Poly Pavilion’s underball did the same again as Chiles nailed her final pass for a 9.950-point floor exercise and a meet with the best. 49,500 degrees rotation.
No. 8 University of California Illinois was easily handled 197.200-194.750 in its home opener on Saturday afternoon. Chiles may be the proverbial superhero for the Bruins — just as shown in his intro video — but graduate student Chay Campbell has provided consistency for UCLA. As the only Bruin to compete in the all-around, Campbell took the all-around crown with a total score of 39.400, which included a season-high of 9.925 on vault. Chiles matched Campbell in the event, helping the Bruins set a season-high in events with a score of 49.325.
UCLA conquered the third cycle test on the balance beam as a sophomore Caitlin Rosen She fell on the first pass of her routine, extending a string of uncharacteristically low-scoring routines in the event from the former All-Pac-12 honorable mention gymnast. In a bending but not breaking moment for the Bruins, the next four gymnasts nailed their routines — highlighted by Brooklyn Moores who tied her career high on the apparatus with a 9.875 — en route to an overall score of 49.150.
Senior Emma Malabuyo topped the Bruins on beam with her fourth straight points of 9.900 or higher to start the season. Malabuyo, who competed for the Philippines at the Paris Games, made her season debut on the uneven bars, where she earned a 9.850, second best by a graduate student Frida Esparza9.925.
The veteran trio of Campbell, Chiles and Malabuyo helped lead the Bruins to their third straight win – in the Bruins’ first of three home games in their next four meetings. Penn State will visit Westwood next week.