Jordan Chiles puts on superhero-like performance to lead UCLA in return to Westwood
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One after another, comic book-style designs of UCLA gymnasts appeared on the jumbotron. But one Bruin was omitted.
“Wait, we’re missing someone,” a text bubble in the team’s introduction video emphasized.
Just as she soared through the sky like a superheo in the video, Jordan Chiles returned to Westwood for the first time since winning team gold at the Paris Olympics. The crowd erupted when the public address announcer roared her name as pyrotechnics sparkled behind her, then Pauley Pavilion’s lower bowl did it once more when Chiles nailed her final pass for a team-high 9.950 in floor exercise and a meet-best 49.500 rotation score.
After a challenging Olympics for Jordan Chiles and Emma Malabuyo, the UCLA veterans are focused on trying to help the Bruins win and, most important, have fun.
No. 8 UCLA easily handled Illinois 197.200 to 194.750 in its home opener Saturday afternoon. Chiles may be the Bruins’ superhero, but graduate student Chae Campbell provided consistency. As the only Bruin who competed in the all-around, Campbell took the crown with a total score of 39.400, which included a season-high 9.925 on vault.
“This is my last year so it’s all about getting big,” Campbell said. “I want to be able to soak up any moment I have ... since this is the last time I’m going to be able to do a routine. … It’s not just staying present, [it’s] not taking anything for granted and being grateful for any opportunity I have to compete.”
Chiles matched Campbell in the all-around, helping the Bruins set their season high with a 49.325.
UCLA overcame a test in the third rotation on balance beam when sophomore Katelyn Rosen fell on her first pass, extending a run of uncharacteristically low-scoring routines in the event from the former All-Pac-12 honorable mention. In a bend-but-don’t-break moment for the Bruins, the next four gymnasts hit their routines — highlighted by Brooklyn Moors tying her career high on the apparatus with a 9.875 — en route to a 49.150 overall score.
During the rotation, Campbell paced near the balance beam, receiving pep talks from assistant coach Lacy Dagen as she awaited Rosen’s score. UCLA coach Janelle McDonald said the wait felt never-ending, taking much longer than normal.
And yet Campbell still kicked off the beam run with a 9.850. McDonald called the beam rotation a meet highlight, despite Rosen’s hiccup.
“Working with [Dagen] this year has been a real blessing for us because I feel like I wasn’t even nervous,” Campbell said. “I didn’t even know what happened before I went. So I give her a lot of credit, just being able to hype us up and give us what we need for each routine.”
McDonald pointed to Campbell’s routine as a turning point, crediting her development as a leader. Campbell said she began implementing lessons from her Transformative Coaching and Leadership graduate program.
“It literally gave me chills to see her go up there and attack her routine in that moment,” McDonald said. “Because I don’t think Chae from last year, or even previous years, would have been able to handle that moment as good as she did today, and I think that’s the testament to the work she’s been putting in.”
Senior Emma Malabuyo capped the Bruins’ performance on beam with her fourth consecutive 9.900 or higher to begin the season. Malabuyo, who competed for the Philippines at the Paris Games, also made her season debut on the uneven bars, tallying a 9.850, second best to graduate student Frida Esparza’s 9.925.
UCLA gymnastics assistant Lacy Dagen is helping the Bruins pull off more feats and find more confidence on the balance beam, and its showing in the scores.
Malabuyo, still seeking her first perfect 10, said the return to bars marked a personal achievement.
“It’s just building my confidence back up and using today as a steppingstone to keep building and building,” said Malabuyo, who also recorded a 9.925 on floor. “But I was also really proud today.”
The veteran trio of Campbell, Chiles and Malabuyo helped lead the Bruins to their third consecutive meet victory in the first of three home outings in their next four meets. Michigan State will visit Westwood next week.
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