Kai Mattei
Photo by: Don Liebig, UCLA Photography
UCLA Gymnastics Adds Kai Mattei to 2026 Squad
March 27, 2025 | Gymnastics
Three-time Level 10 national qualifier Kai Mattei will join the UCLA Gymnastics team for the 2026 season, The R.C. Rothman UCLA Head Gymnastics Coach Janelle McDonald announced today.
Mattei, who hails from Queens, N.Y. and trains at North Stars Gymnastics Academy, is a member of the Puerto Rican National Team. In 2024, she won the Region 7 balance beam title and placed fourth in the all-around and was the uneven bars and floor exercise New Jersey state champion. She finished sixth on floor at the 2023 Level 10 National Championships after becoming the all-around, vault and floor runner-up at the Region 6 Championships.
"We are so excited to officially welcome Kai to the Bruin family," said McDonald. "Kai has a beautiful gymnastics skill-set, artistic style and incredible work ethic that will fit in well on our team. She has a passion for the sport and UCLA that will be infectious in our team culture."
Mattei will join previously-signed Tiana Sumanasekera, Nola Matthews, Jordis Eichman and Ava-Marie Callahan as freshmen in the fall.ย
Mattei, who hails from Queens, N.Y. and trains at North Stars Gymnastics Academy, is a member of the Puerto Rican National Team. In 2024, she won the Region 7 balance beam title and placed fourth in the all-around and was the uneven bars and floor exercise New Jersey state champion. She finished sixth on floor at the 2023 Level 10 National Championships after becoming the all-around, vault and floor runner-up at the Region 6 Championships.
"We are so excited to officially welcome Kai to the Bruin family," said McDonald. "Kai has a beautiful gymnastics skill-set, artistic style and incredible work ethic that will fit in well on our team. She has a passion for the sport and UCLA that will be infectious in our team culture."
Mattei will join previously-signed Tiana Sumanasekera, Nola Matthews, Jordis Eichman and Ava-Marie Callahan as freshmen in the fall.ย
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