Jordan Chiles made a triumphant return to Pauley Pavilion, earning a team-high score and fueling UCLA's dominant victory over Illinois.
One after another, comic-book-style designs of UCLA gymnasts appeared on the jumbotron. But it was clear 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 in the video, akin to a superhero, Jordan Chiles returned to Westwood for the first time since winning team gold at the Paris Olympics.
And just like when the crowd erupted as the public address announcer roared her name as pyrotechnics sparkled behind her, Pauley Pavilion's lower bowl did the same 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. No. 8 UCLA easily handled Illinois 197.200-194.750 in its home opener Saturday afternoon. Chiles may be the proverbial superhero for the Bruins — just as billed in the introduction video — but graduate student Chae Campbell provided consistency for UCLA. As the only Bruin who competed in the all-around, Campbell took the all-around crown with a total score of 39.400, which included a season-high 9.925 on vault. Chiles matched Campbell in the event, helping the Bruins set their season-high on the events with a 49.325. UCLA overcame a test in the third rotation on balance beam when sophomore Katelyn Rosen fell on the first pass of her routine, extending a run of uncharacteristically low-scoring routines in the event from the former All-Pac-12 honorable mention gymnast. 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. Senior Emma Malabuyo capped off the Bruins on beam with her fourth consecutive 9.900-or-higher score 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.The veteran trio of Campbell, Chiles and Malabuyo helped lead the Bruins to their third-consecutive meet victory — in the Bruins’ first of three home outings in their next four meets. Penn State will visit Westwood next week
UCLA Gymnastics Jordan Chiles Chae Campbell Emma Malabuyo College Gymnastics Pauley Pavilion
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