The UCLA gymnastics team bid farewell to its seniors a 197.850-197.400 win over rival Utah during the Bruins finale at Pauley Pavilion Saturday night in front of an announced crowd of 12,598.
Jordan Chiles, an Olympic gold medalist, brought back a nostalgic floor routine set to ‘90s R&B hits to the delight of fans and won the meet’s all-around crown with a score of 39.800.
Tiana Sumanasekera started the night with a 9.750 off the vault. Mika Webster-Longin scored a 9.900 mark and Riley Jenkins followed it a 9.900. Ashley Sullivan scored a 9.975, receiving a 10 from one of the judges. UCLA coach Janelle McDonald hyped up fans right before Chiles’ 9.950 to close off the rotation, giving UCLA a slim 0.050 lead over Utah.
On the bars, Ciena Alipio opened the event with a 9.850. Webster-Longin followed it with a 9.875. Despite landing off balance, Matthews added a 9.850. Sullivan followed with a 9.900. And McDonald twirled as Chiles landed on the mat to close her routine, earning a 9.950.
Utah inched closer off the vault, closing out the second rotation trailing UCLA by 0.025.
Needing a big performance on beam, Barros set the tone with a 9.825. Webster-Longin recovered after losing balance during her performance to score a 9.800.
Sidelined due to an injury, Katelyn Rosen started a “10” chant with the audience after Sumanasekera landed a 9.900. Chiles’ teammates and the crowd for a 10 after her performance, then fans booed when the judges’ score of 9.950 was revealed.
Alipio closed the rotation in tears, finishing with a 9.925 score. McDonald questioned the score with a judge, a sentiment shared by the crowd.
UCLA moved to the floor exercise with a 148.300-148.125 lead after Clara Raposo for Utah was unable to finish her routine on floor because of an injury.
Alipio capped her senior night with a 9.800. Webster-Longin followed with a 9.875. Barros deliver a 9.900 score and Sumanasekera finished with a 9.925.
Sullivan, who’s become the set-up for the anchor, earned a 9.900 on floor. Performing her routine from sophomore year, Chiles closed the meet with a 9.950 and held back tears while getting mobbed by her teammates.
The Bruins will next travel to Champaign, Ill., to compete in the Big Ten conference championship meet.
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