The No. 5 UCLA women’s gymnastics team hosted Washington at Pauley Pavilion on Friday night for a prime-time Big Ten matchup. The Bruins continued to demonstrate just how hungry they are for a national championship by flexing their deep roster in a 198.150-195.825 win over the Huskies.
Jordan Chiles earned another perfect score on her floor routine, capping off a night that would give her another all-around individual title.
While Chiles’ performance stood out, UCLA coach Janelle McDonald was pleased to see a total team effort.
“When athletes that are outside the lineup one week are pushing to get in, it makes everybody better,” McDonald said. “And that’s exactly what’s happening right now.”
Added UCLA junior Sydney Barros: “It really comes down to the trust that we build.”
Instead of soaking in the third consecutive meet with a perfect score, Chiles praised Barros, who competed in three events for the second straight meet.
“I just like to say, your dedication and pride and everything that you have done to accomplish these moments, you showed it today,” Chiles said, speaking directly to Barros. “From your bars, to the beam, to making literally all three lineups that you wanted to be in, you came through.”
UCLA gymnast Ciena Alipio, left, celebrates with teammate Jordan Chiles after completing a beam routine. Alipio and Chiles both earned 9.950 scores during the Bruins’ win over Washington at Pauley Pavilion on Friday.
(Jesus Ramirez / UCLA Athletics)
UCLA established its dominance from the beginning. During their rotation on the vault, the Bruins (6-2, 2-0) finished with a total score of 49.425. Tiana Sumanasekera set the tone with a 9.875 performance.
Madisyn Anyimi followed it by earning a 9.900, her best score on the event as a Bruin. Katelyn Rosen and Riley Jenkins both earned 9.850 marks. Anchoring the vault was Chiles who closed with a 9.950.
The Huskies (2-4, 1-1) posted a score of 49.325 on the uneven bars.
UCLA added to its lead on the uneven bars. Ciena Alipio was close to perfect with a routine that earned her a 9.950. Keeping up with her teammate, Barros followed with a 9.925.
Alipio made the most of her opportunity to compete on the uneven bars after being limited to two events — beam and floor — before Friday.
“That’s always been her mentality, that grit and determination to help her team, no matter what,” McDonald said.
Alipio tied Chiles for best score on the balance beam.
“The hard work [that you see] in the gym, is what you’re seeing at the competition floor,” she said.
Sumanasekera and Ashlee Sullivan, both freshmen, scored 9.825 and 9.875, respectively. Chiles earned a 9.975, which brought up the team’s total to 98.975.
Washington earned a 48.925 on vault, falling behind UCLA by .750.
UCLA extended its lead on the balance beam, with Rosen and Barros opening the third rotation with 9.850 scores. Jordis Eichman took it up a notch with a 9.875 on her only event of the night.
Chiles earned a 9.950, extending her all-around lead. Alipio added another 9.950, maintaining a Bruins lead of 148.450-147.525 going into the final event.
Jordan Chiles competes on balance beam for UCLA against Washington at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 30, 2026.
(Jesus Ramirez / UCLA Athletics)
During their anchor event, UCLA continued to shine with a 9.925 floor routine by Rosen. Both Alipio and Sumanasekera added to the lead with a 9.900 and a 9.925, respectively. Sullivan earned her best mark on the floor with a 9.950.
Chiles saved the best for last, with her 10 on floor bringing the rotation total to 49.700 for UCLA’s best score in the event this season. It was Chiles’ third 10 of the year — she had perfect scores against Nebraska (vault) and Michigan State (floor) earlier this month.
“Floor is a place where we always hold ourselves to a really high standard, not just with the execution of the gymnastics skills, but the performances,” McDonald said. “We want to go out there and put on a show.”
Each week, the rotation is filled with a newcomer, but the approach doesn’t change. The Bruins’ goal is to balance execution with performances and dialing in the details.
“We dub ourselves the best show in L.A.,” McDonald said, “And we really try to live up to that.”
UCLA gymnast Alipio Ciena celebrates during a meet against Washington at Pauley Pavilion on Jan. 30, 2026.
(Jesus Ramirez / UCLA Athletics)
