CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – UCLA secured its second consecutive Substantial Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championship on Saturday, fueled by a historic performance from sophomore Jordan Chiles, who delivered multiple perfect scores and a conference record in the all-around competition. The Bruins posted a team score of 198.100 at State Farm Arena, solidifying their dominance within the conference since joining its ranks.
Chiles’ performance wasn’t just pivotal to UCLA’s team success. it was a record-breaking individual achievement. She earned a remarkable all-around score of 39.825, the highest ever recorded at the Big Ten Championships. This victory marks her continued ascent as a leading figure in collegiate gymnastics and places UCLA firmly in contention for the NCAA title, after finishing as runners-up last year. The team’s score of 198.100 is only the fifth above 198 in the history of the Big Ten Championships, demonstrating the high level of competition and UCLA’s exceptional form.
Chiles’ Historic Performance
The standout performance of the day undoubtedly belonged to Chiles. She achieved a perfect 10 on the floor exercise, her seventh perfect score of the season, and also claimed the balance beam title with a score of 9.950. She tied for first on uneven bars with a 9.950 alongside Aurélie Tran of Iowa, Sydney Barros of UCLA, Sage Kellerman of Michigan State, and Emma Slevin and Jordyn Lyden of Minnesota. Chiles was subsequently named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, recognizing her consistent excellence throughout the season.
IT’S A 10.0 FROM JORDAN CHILES 🤩The @uclagymnastics star brought perfection to the #b1gwgymchamps📺: @BigTenNetwork
Bruins Dominate, McDonald Earns Coach of the Year
UCLA’s victory wasn’t solely reliant on Chiles’ individual brilliance. Sophomore Riley Jenkins tied for the vault title with a career-high score of 9.950, alongside Arianna Ostrum of Minnesota. The Bruins demonstrated consistent strength across all events, starting with a 49.425 on balance beam and following up with a 49.675 on floor exercise. This well-rounded performance allowed them to maintain a lead throughout the competition.
Adding to UCLA’s accolades, Janelle McDonald was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. Her leadership and strategic guidance have been instrumental in the Bruins’ success, both in the regular season and at the championships. McDonald expressed pride in her team’s performance, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure and showcase the lessons learned throughout the season.
Big Ten Championship Standings
The final standings at the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships were as follows:
- UCLA: 198.100
- Michigan State: 197.475
- Minnesota: 196.900
- Michigan: 196.800
- Iowa: 196.700
- Ohio State: 196.250
- Penn State: 196.000
- Rutgers: 195.700
- Washington: 195.475
- Maryland: 195.300
- Illinois: 195.125
- Nebraska: 195.075
With the Big Ten Championships concluded, UCLA’s focus now shifts to the NCAA Championships. Their impressive performance and Chiles’ exceptional form position them as strong contenders for the national title. The Bruins will undoubtedly look to build on this momentum as they aim to cap off a remarkable season with another championship victory.
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