SAN JOSE — One year after her history-making finish at the 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Jordan Chiles couldn’t make it onto the podium this time around.

The former Olympian and NCAA champion, just four months removed from competition with UCLA, believes she’ll only improve ahead of further international competition.

“Now it’s just going up from here,” Chiles said. “I believe it too, as well, going into selection and Worlds and all that stuff, that I will be at the point that I need to be when that time comes.”

Ultimately, Chiles qualified for the U.S. Women’s National Team and took a fifth-place all-around finish at the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships this weekend among a field of other World Champions, Olympic medalists and collegiate gymnasts. Fellow World Champions Center gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles finished in first for her eighth all-around title – the most of any American man or woman.

After day one of the senior women’s competition, Chiles finished in fifth place in the all-around behind two 14-plus scores on bars and vault. But on day two, after landing her double-twisting Yurchenko, Chiles fell on both bars and beam to end with a 107.750 across the two days.

UCLA coach Janelle McDonald said even though this wasn’t Chiles’ best day of gymnastics, making the jump to all four events was no easy feat. At Chiles’ last competition – the U.S. Classic earlier in August – she only competed on bars and beam.

“This week was a really huge step for her and her process of getting back into elite competition shape,” McDonald said. “She definitely got stronger this week from doing that, and I’m excited to see her be able to gain that confidence and style and some of those things to be able to really make a push for the end of the year.”

Chiles’ WCC coach and 2023 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame inductee Laurent Landi said Chiles just needs a bit more time in the gym. He added that Chiles has only been training with WCC for about a month, including her time competing at Classic.

“She needs to get back into the rhythm, and she’ll be ready for Worlds,” Landi said.

Four months ago, Chiles competed at the NCAA championships and took home two individual titles to cap off her sophomore year at UCLA. Although she also participated in elite gymnastics the summer after her freshman year, winning a World Championship with Team USA, Chiles said the transition back to elite gymnastics has been more difficult in 2023.

After having what she called a great year with her UCLA teammates, the Olympic silver medalist took two months off after nationals wrapped up, traveling to Hawaii with friends and taking care of her mental, physical and emotional health.

“As a person – as a human being – I really enjoyed the vacation I had, because I know stepping forward and everything I’m going to do is always going to be work, work, work, and I’m going to be able to feel amazing with my accomplishment at the end,” Chiles said.

McDonald and UCLA assistant coach Autumn Grable made the trip to the Bay Area to scout potential future Bruins but were also there to cheer on Chiles. McDonald said the coaching staff has stayed in contact with Chiles despite her absence from the program.

“She’s a part of our Bruin family,” McDonald said. “While she’s back home training, we want to support her in any way we can.”

Throughout the meet, Chiles could be seen alongside her friend and teammate Biles, even leading a standing ovation following Biles’ 15.400 on floor – the highest-scoring routine of the day. Chiles went on to land a 13.850 on the event right after.

Chiles said it was cool to see something so beautiful from Biles and that she would continue to react the same when her teammate thrives.

“When you can succeed and do everything that you’re doing, they should give people their flowers,” Chiles said. “In that moment, I just felt like it was needed.”

In addition to creating motivation to celebrate her teammate’s best moments, Chiles also said she tries to make gymnastics fun.

Chiles’ positive attitude, she said, comes from knowing that she’s doing gymnastics for herself and remaining authentic.

“I’m always about having fun and making sure we love the sport with as much passion and gratefulness as we can,” Chiles said.