This post was updated Feb. 20 at 10:57 p.m.

One year ago, UCLA fell to Arizona State for the first time in over two decades as the Bruins recorded their fifth sub-197 score in six meets to start the season.

But the blue and gold of February 2023 is a different team, reaching No. 5 in the NQS rankings following a season-high performance on the road in Berkeley on Saturday.

“We’re the underdog, and I’m always rooting for an underdog,” said redshirt senior Margzetta Frazier.

Frazier’s underdog, then-No. 6 UCLA gymnastics, topped season highs across the board in a 197.975 tie with then-No. 7 California on Saturday. The Bruins’ lineups are starting to come together with their most consistent meet yet, but they still show potential to reach even greater heights.

After tallying three team finishes on beam at or below 49, the blue and gold have finally found high-octane consistency on the event with Saturday’s 49.625 – the sixth-best beam score in the nation. Coach Janelle McDonald has been saying UCLA is a beam team all season, but this weekend marked a shift in momentum.

“For them to go out today (Saturday) when we need it most and hit those routines that they’ve been training was just really, really special,” McDonald said.

Gaining competition confidence of her own is sophomore Ana Padurariu, who notched a season-high 9.900 on beam against Cal.

After a toe injury left her unable to fully train on the apparatus in the preseason, the World Championships silver medalist on beam started her 2023 return to the event with a 9.750 and a 9.725 but found her footing once again to match her career high.

“Ana is world class on beam. She’s absolutely beautiful and comfortable and just has a presence up there,” McDonald said. “Just being able to see her confidence grow as she’s gotten more numbers under her belt and as she has gotten some confidence in competing again. … It’s been really special to see.”

In total, five Bruins notched career-high or career-high-tying scores on beam Saturday.

Competing on every event but beam, junior Chae Campbell cheered her teammates on as they hit routine after routine.

“That beam rotation was exactly what I see in the gym,” Campbell said. “It was so fun and rewarding to watch that and see the hard work that they do pay off, and I’m so proud of them.”

With all four event scores reaching at least a 49.300 for the first time all season, the Bruins saw one of their most complete performances yet.

McDonald noted that even with the improved consistency and strong finish on beam, the Bruins still have areas to clean – specifically on vault and bars.

Saturday’s matchup tied for the Bruins’ second-lowest score on bars, McDonald’s area of expertise, this season.

But Campbell has high hopes for UCLA after its best outing this season and said the Bruins’ top-five standing in the NQS rankings is indicative of the team’s postseason potential.

“This is a UCLA special where we like to peak towards the end,” Campbell said.

Last season, the Bruins didn’t reach their season high until March. The year before that, it took until UCLA’s last meet of the season for it to secure its top score.

Frazier said the team’s mentality and confidence has shifted recently.

“I feel like the girls individually just really found that ‘You know what, why not us?’ mindset,” Frazier said. “Because we’re a great team with great gymnasts, great gymnastics, and we just need to keep pushing like we’re champions.”