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No. 5 UCLA eyes another Big Ten gymnastics title with Big Four Meet

February 26, 2026

With every week that goes by, the UCLA gymnastics squad proves why it is one of the top teams in the nation. Coming off six consecutive wins, the fifth-ranked Bruins are preparing to face off against three Big Ten teams, making for a quad conference meet with something on the line.

Friday’s Big Four Meet at Pauley Pavilion, against No. 18 Iowa, No. 19 Ohio State and No. 25 Maryland, is a chance for UCLA to earn a second consecutive regular-season conference championship. To retain its title, UCLA will need to finish first or second, though a victory over all three teams would also secure the Bruins their second straight undefeated conference season.

It will not be an easy task for the Bruins, but if coming off a win helps their momentum, then it’s looking good in the arena that claims to be the best show in L.A.

On Sunday at Illinois, the squad that’s led by two-time Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles was not fazed by the travel and gloomy Midwest weather. The Bruins produced their highest road score of the year with a 197.675-195.475 victory as they to set new standards for themselves.

The Bruins allowed only one opponent to claim an individual award. UCLA senior Jordan Chiles won vault with a 9.950 score, floor with a 9.975 and the all-around, for the sixth meet in a row, with a 39.650. Fellow senior Ciena Alipio took home beam with a 9.950.

Head coach Janelle McDonald identified how her team speaks about focusing on the things that they can control.

“Obviously, we’re excited about the opportunity. I think we’re very proud of just the consistency we’ve showed up to this point this season, and so, you know, our goal is to go out there and just do what we’ve been doing all season,” McDonald said, “which is just, you know, hitting great gymnastics and continuing to just build the confidence on the competition floor before we head into postseason.”

One source of the Bruins’ dominance is Chiles, who has produced a perfect 10 routine five weeks in a row. Aside from the scores, McDonald in the past has spoken to how Chiles’ actions, work ethic and can-do attitude in the gym rub off on her teammates.

The makeup of a college gymnastics team is a combination of those who have competedat the highest Junior Olympic level and those who were at the elite level. The commonality is that no matter the experience, they all start from scratch when it comes to competing every week.

McDonald, in her fourth season as head coach in Westwood, is intent on providing her athletes direction, especially the freshmen.

“We’re heading into nine weeks now in a row of competing, and so their gymnastics is very locked in, and that’s the thing I keep reminding them. And you know, there’s some fatigue and tiredness and things like that that come with competing every weekend.” McDonald said. “It’s about managing that and making sure that the cadence of our practice is really building them to feel as good as possible come competition day.”

There will also be some history made Friday night at Pauley Pavilion, as the quad meet will be the first collegiate gymnastics meet televised on FS1.

Big Four Meet

Who: No. 5 UCLA vs. No. 18 Iowa, No. 19 Ohio State, No. 25 Maryland

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Pauley Pavilion

TV: FS1

Orange County Register

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No. 5 UCLA eyes another Big Ten gymnastics title with Big Four Meet

Big Four Meet

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