This post was updated Feb. 6 at 11:20 p.m.

Fans waited with bated breath for the judges’ scores.

And then the scoreboards flipped – it was a pair of 10s.

Before Jordan Chiles knew it, the crowd descended into pandemonium.

The junior notched the first perfect 10 on floor of the year Saturday, and freshman Macy McGowan launched into her arms, celebrating the milestone.

UCLA gymnastics’ recent success has been spearheaded by veterans, helping the Bruins climb to a No. 6 overall ranking and the No. 1 spot on floor. Upperclassmen hold the top rankings on every event for the Bruins – senior Emma Malabuyo sits at No. 4 on beam, graduate student Frida Esparza holds the No. 14 spot on bars and Chiles owns the No. 3 and No. 9 spots on floor and vault, respectively.

Graduate student Brooklyn Moors has grown in her last year as well, currently holding the No. 1 individual floor ranking. The Canadian Olympian has not dipped below 9.900 on the event this season, exemplifying consistency on her signature event. She has balanced this stability with growth, competing in three events for the first time since 2022.

“That’s an inspiration for everyone in gymnastics, but especially for our freshmen and sophomores on our team to see that over the course of your career, you can continue to grow,” said coach Janelle McDonald.

Graduate student Chae Campbell has bounced back into the all-around for the first time since April 2024, nearing perfection with a 9.975 on floor last week. Her return to the all-around has added depth to McDonald’s squad.

“This is my last year, so it’s all about going big,” Campbell said.

As this star-studded senior class prepares to leave Westwood for good, the bar is set sky-high for the next generation of Bruins.

Luckily, a talented crew of freshmen is ready to step up to the challenge.

McGowan was the 2024 Level 10 national all-around champion and has broken 9.900 marks in vault and floor as a first year.

Freshman Mika Webster-Longin is another standout, securing the 2023 Level 10 national all-around title and tying the Bruins’ highest score on bars last weekend, with a score of 9.850.

Freshman Riley Jenkins had a solid collegiate debut Saturday, notching a 9.850 on vault.

“It’s really nice to have a freshman group that’s really in it and wants to learn how to compete for a team,” Campbell said. “Each meet I can see them improving. And they’re very intentional.”

Whether it be sharing hotel rooms on travel days, bonding through Blue and Gold Challenges or collaborating on light-hearted TikToks, the upperclassmen continue to build an atmosphere of mentorship, continuing the legacy of excellence that UCLA has become known for.

These bonds manifest when it matters most – the seniors provide advice and stability to the first years during each meet, and the freshmen are often the first to bear-hug the veterans each time they break ground.

“The seniors give us lots of tips, and they’re always here to support us,” McGowan said. “We’re all really close.”

With a veteran core leading the way and a new class rising to the occasion, the legacy of the Bruins may be set to continue for years to come.