Jordan Chiles Carries UCLA Gymnastics to Another Win Over Iowa State
Jordan Chiles continues to one-up herself.
The sophomore Olympic medalist notched a new career high in the all-around for the third meet in a row, leading No. 5 UCLA gymnastics to a 198.275-195.550 win over Iowa State at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday. Chiles’ 39.900 final score is the highest by any gymnast in the country this season, and it ranks No. 2 in school history.
Chiles won or shared the win in all four events, posting a 9.975 on vault, a second-straight perfect 10 on uneven bars, a 9.950 on balance beam and a 9.975 on floor. She could have posted three perfect 10s in one day if it weren’t for the two split decisions on vault and floor, but the Bruins still managed to blow out the Cyclones regardless.
UCLA only got better as the first rotation moved along, improving on redshirt senior Margzetta Frazier’s 9.750 and freshman Maddie Anyimi’s 9.776 that opened things up. Sophomore Emily Lee stepped up with a 9.850, then junior Chae Campbell stuck a 9.900.
Freshman Selena Harris and Chiles rounded out the event with back-to-back 9.975s, putting the Bruins up 49.475-49.075 through one rotation.
Senior Kalyany Steele and Lee opened bars with back-to-back 9.875s, building a much steadier floor for UCLA’s second rotation. Sophomore Ana Padurariu, Harris and Frazier all hit 9.900s, setting the stage for Chiles’ perfect 10.
Lee started the Bruins’ turn on beam with a bang, hitting a 9.950 before freshman Ciena Alipio came through with a 9.900. After Padurariu scored a 9.875, Chiles and Harris gave UCLA two more 9.950s.
Leading off once again, Lee scored a 9.825 to get the floor party started. Senior Chloe Lashbrooke got a 9.875, then sophomore Emma Malabuyo and Harris posted back-to-back 9.925s.
After a 9.900 from Frazier, Chiles ended the day with a 9.975.
Per usual, the Pauley Pavilion crowd was rocking as they watched their team dominate its opponent, but Saturday also marked the regular season finale and Senior Day meet. Frazier, Steele, Lashbrooke, Emma Andres and Paige Hogan all had their final competition in Westwood, helping in one way or another to lead UCLA to its sixth-highest score in program history.
And thanks to their second-straight 198 and third-straight dual meet win, the Bruins finished in a four-way tie for the Pac-12 regular season title.
UCLA will return to action on March 18 for the Pac-12 championships in West Valley City, Utah.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIE GOLDFARB/UCLA ATHLETICS