Just one challenge stands between the Bruins and regular-season perfection.

No. 3 UCLA gymnastics (9-2, 6-0 Big Ten) will face No. 21 Nebraska (2-10, 1-5), No. 22 Ohio State (2-7, 1-5) and Rutgers (12-6, 1-5) in the Big Four meet Sunday at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio. With a first-place finish, the Bruins would clinch the Big Ten regular season championship outright in their inaugural campaign in the conference.

“This year is special because we are in a new conference and have an opportunity to start writing this next chapter of UCLA gymnastics in the Big Ten,” said coach Janelle McDonald.

As part of their undefeated record against conference competition, the Bruins previously beat the Buckeyes on Jan. 11.

Much of the squad’s dominance can be attributed to its performance on floor, where UCLA is currently ranked No. 2 in the country and owns the highest event average at 49.522. Junior Jordan Chiles and graduate student Brooklyn Moors come in at No. 1 and No. 3 in the floor national rankings, respectively.

“It has come to a point where everyone in the floor lineup is on autopilot,” said graduate student Chae Campbell. “In the five years that I have been here, it is all about how we can bring that energy to every other event.”

The Bruins are currently ranked No. 7 on vault, where they’ve turned to their young talent. Freshman Macy McGowan has competed on vault in every meet and has found a home in the anchor spot, averaging 9.813. Similarly, freshman Mika Webster-Longin has delivered back-to-back career highs, notching a 9.850 versus Penn State on Feb. 14 and a 9.925 mark against Michigan on Feb. 23.

On beam, senior Emma Malabuyo leads UCLA with a 9.912 average. The Olympian, who slots in at No. 5 in the nation, has only recorded one mark less than 9.900 all season.

“Instead of focusing on the type of scores that we want to get, we focus on what is in our control,” Malabuyo said. “At the end of the day, you cannot control what the judges are going to give us.”

Senior Emily Lee, known for her lead off role on beam, has earned three consecutive marks of 9.900 or higher. Chiles has also found consistency on the event, posting five scores of 9.850 or higher out of her six routines this season.

On bars, the Bruins recently posted a 49.575 event total, indicating potential to improve on their No. 6 national ranking.

Frida Esparza has emerged as a key player on the event, posting five 9.900 or higher marks this year. The 9.975 career-high the graduate student set against Penn State on Feb. 14 suggests a perfect score may be in the cards.

Despite resting on vault and floor last week, Campbell sits as the No. 3 all-arounder in the Big Ten after only competing on all four events twice last season.

“It feels so reminiscent of my freshman year and sophomore year,” Campbell said. “It feels good to be in that shape again.”

Campbell’s current season average of 39.442 beats out her 2024 and 2023 averages of 38.950 and 39.194, respectively, and it is only a fraction below her sophomore season average of 39.508.

The Bruins’ bid to top the Big Ten will kick off at 2 p.m. Sunday.