Saturday, January 11
Oklahoma City, Okla.
5:00 PM (PT)
UCLA
197.550
vs
195.875
Arkansas
Sprouts Collegiate Quad Session Three Winner
Photo by: UCLA Athletics
UCLA Wins Session 3 of Sprouts Collegiate Quad
January 11, 2025 | Gymnastics
Oklahoma City, Okla. - No. 12 UCLA won session 3 of the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad on Saturday evening, posting the third-highest score in the nation, 197.550. The Bruins easily outdistanced its competition by over a point, outscoring second-place Kentucky (196.500), third-place Ohio State (196.425) and fourth-place Arkansas (195.875).
With the weight of devastating wildfires at home in Los Angeles, the Bruins (3-2) banded together to compete for a greater purpose.
"I think that there are a lot of people going through a lot of heartache and hardships right now in LA," said The R.C. Rothman UCLA Head Gymnastics Coach Janelle McDonald. "There are people who have been displaced and in hotels who might be able to turn on ESPN tonight and watch our team compete with joy and heart. If we can spread a little bit of joy in a tough moment, that's what we wanted to do."
The joy was flowing for the Bruins early on, as they started the meet with a 49.475 on balance beam. Leadoff competitor Emily Lee set the tone with a stellar leadoff routine, sticking her dismount and flashing an LA sign with her hands. Sophomore Katelyn Rosen continued the good vibes with another 9.9, and graduate Chae Campbell nailed her new backhandspring/two-foot layout and scored 9.875. After a 9.775 from Brooklyn Moors, Ciena Alipio followed with a 9.875, and senior Emma Malabuyo closed with a meet-high 9.925.
The Bruins extended their lead even more in the second rotation with a national-best score of 49.600 on floor exercise. Rosen got the floor party started with a leadoff 9.825. Malabuyo followed with a 9.925, and freshman Macy McGowan hit for a 9.850. UCLA closed the rotation with three consecutive scores of 9.9 or higher. Moors earned a 9.950. Campbell stuck her opening full-twisting double back cold and finished with a 9.900. Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles ended the rotation with a near perfect 10 on her already viral Prince routine, scoring 9.975.
UCLA improved on its week one vault score by totaling 49.100 in the third rotation. Chiles led the Bruins once again with a 9.925. Lee and Moors recorded UCLA's next best marks with a 9.850 and 9.800, respectively.
The Bruins closed it out on uneven bars with a 49.375, earning six scores of 9.800 or higher. Frida Esparza, who had waited nearly the entire meet to compete, won the uneven bars title with a 9.925. Rosen added her second 9.900 score of the night, and McGowan recorded a 9.875. Chiles with a 9.850, Mika Webster-Longin with a 9.825 and Campbell with a leadoff 9.800 rounded out the scoring for the Bruins.
"I am so proud of this team," McDonald said. "Turning the page from last week was really important. With everything going on in LA, to compete with so much heart and so much joy was special to see."
UCLA will open Big Ten Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Maryland.
Team Results:
1. UCLA 197.550
2. Kentucky 196.500
3. Ohio State 196.425
4. Arkansas 195.875
Individual Winners
All-Around: Joscelyn Roberson (Arkansas), Tory Vetter (Ohio State) – 39.475
Vault: Mackenzie Wilson (Kentucky), Anna Flynn Cashion (Kentucky) – 9.950
Bars: Frida Esparza (UCLA) – 9.925
Beam: Emma Malabuyo (UCLA), Isabella Magnelli (Kentucky) – 9.925
Floor: Jordan Chiles (UCLA) – 9.975
With the weight of devastating wildfires at home in Los Angeles, the Bruins (3-2) banded together to compete for a greater purpose.
"I think that there are a lot of people going through a lot of heartache and hardships right now in LA," said The R.C. Rothman UCLA Head Gymnastics Coach Janelle McDonald. "There are people who have been displaced and in hotels who might be able to turn on ESPN tonight and watch our team compete with joy and heart. If we can spread a little bit of joy in a tough moment, that's what we wanted to do."
The joy was flowing for the Bruins early on, as they started the meet with a 49.475 on balance beam. Leadoff competitor Emily Lee set the tone with a stellar leadoff routine, sticking her dismount and flashing an LA sign with her hands. Sophomore Katelyn Rosen continued the good vibes with another 9.9, and graduate Chae Campbell nailed her new backhandspring/two-foot layout and scored 9.875. After a 9.775 from Brooklyn Moors, Ciena Alipio followed with a 9.875, and senior Emma Malabuyo closed with a meet-high 9.925.
The Bruins extended their lead even more in the second rotation with a national-best score of 49.600 on floor exercise. Rosen got the floor party started with a leadoff 9.825. Malabuyo followed with a 9.925, and freshman Macy McGowan hit for a 9.850. UCLA closed the rotation with three consecutive scores of 9.9 or higher. Moors earned a 9.950. Campbell stuck her opening full-twisting double back cold and finished with a 9.900. Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles ended the rotation with a near perfect 10 on her already viral Prince routine, scoring 9.975.
JORDAN CHILES PUT ON A SHOW ?? pic.twitter.com/m5ThqTs1zr
— espnW (@espnW) January 12, 2025
UCLA improved on its week one vault score by totaling 49.100 in the third rotation. Chiles led the Bruins once again with a 9.925. Lee and Moors recorded UCLA's next best marks with a 9.850 and 9.800, respectively.
The Bruins closed it out on uneven bars with a 49.375, earning six scores of 9.800 or higher. Frida Esparza, who had waited nearly the entire meet to compete, won the uneven bars title with a 9.925. Rosen added her second 9.900 score of the night, and McGowan recorded a 9.875. Chiles with a 9.850, Mika Webster-Longin with a 9.825 and Campbell with a leadoff 9.800 rounded out the scoring for the Bruins.
"I am so proud of this team," McDonald said. "Turning the page from last week was really important. With everything going on in LA, to compete with so much heart and so much joy was special to see."
UCLA will open Big Ten Conference play on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Maryland.
Team Results:
1. UCLA 197.550
2. Kentucky 196.500
3. Ohio State 196.425
4. Arkansas 195.875
Individual Winners
All-Around: Joscelyn Roberson (Arkansas), Tory Vetter (Ohio State) – 39.475
Vault: Mackenzie Wilson (Kentucky), Anna Flynn Cashion (Kentucky) – 9.950
Bars: Frida Esparza (UCLA) – 9.925
Beam: Emma Malabuyo (UCLA), Isabella Magnelli (Kentucky) – 9.925
Floor: Jordan Chiles (UCLA) – 9.975
Players Mentioned
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
/ Gymnastics
Jordan Chiles - 2025 Big Ten Championships Floor (10.0)
Thursday, September 04
Chae Campbell - 2025 NCAA Championship Floor (9.925)
Friday, August 15
Frida Esparza - 2025 NCAA Semifinal Bars (9.925)
Saturday, August 09
Frida Esparza - 2025 NCAA Semifinals Bars (9.925)
Saturday, August 09