University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Bruins Sweep Big Ten Conference Weekly Awards
January 06, 2026 | Gymnastics
The Bruin trio played big roles in UCLA's season-opening win at the Best of the West Quad in Washington. UCLA recorded a final team score of 196.975, the highest in the nation in week one, putting them in the No. 1 spot in the national rankings this week. The Bruins also tied a school record with the highest season-opening beam score in history, 49.525, to move into the top spot in the rankings on that event.
Chiles dominated the competition, capturing the all-around with a 39.725 and placing first on all four events. She totaled 9.975 on balance beam, 9.925 on uneven bars and floor exercise and 9.900 on vault. Her 9.975 on beam tied her career-high and was her 23rd career 9.975 score. Her 39.725 in the all-around was the highest by a Bruin in a season opener since Kyla Ross also recorded that score in 2020. Chiles is ranked No. 1 in the nation in the all-around, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise and No. 2 on vault.
Alipio anchored UCLA on balance beam for the first time in her career and scored 9.925 in her only counting routine of the meet. She also scored a personal-best 9.800 on floor exercise in an exhibition performance. Alipio's 9.925 on beam was her 17th career score of 9.900 or higher. She now ranks No. 4 in the nation on the event.
In her collegiate debut at the Best of the West Quad, Sumanasekera placed second on two events, scoring 9.950 on balance beam and 9.850 on floor exercise to finish behind Chiles. She also scored 9.800 on vault and earned a 9.850 in an uneven bars exhibition. Sumanasekera's beam score was the highest by a UCLA freshman in her collegiate debut in over 20 years, matching Tasha Schiwkert in 2005. Sumanasekera ranks second in the nation on beam and No. 12 on floor.
This is Chiles' 12th career conference gymnast of the week award and seventh in the Big Ten. Alipio and Sumanasekera received their first career honors. Sumanasekera is the first UCLA gymnast ever to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
Big Ten Gymnast of the Week: Jan. 6 – Jordan Chiles, UCLA.
Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week: Jan. 6 – Ciena Alipio, UCLA.
Big Ten Freshman of the Week: Jan. 6 – Tiana Sumansekera, UCLA.
Players Mentioned
