Most programs crumble after losing a key piece across three events.

The Bruins punched their ticket to nationals instead.

Despite freshman Macy McGowan – who competed on vault, bars and floor in every meet this year – being out both days of the NCAA Salt Lake Regional on Thursday and Saturday, No. 5 seed UCLA gymnastics still managed a 197.625 total to clinch a nationals berth for the first time since 2023.

But what the Bruins showed in their qualifying run was just a trailer of the potential they have yet to hit – even shorthanded.

McGowan – who coach Janelle McDonald said should return for the National Championships on April 17 – adds invaluable depth and consistency on all three events. The newcomer joined UCLA fresh off a dominant stint at the Level 10 National Championships, winning titles on vault, floor and the all-around.

Losing a Yurchenko 1.5 as clean as McGowan’s was a major blow to the Bruins’ rotation. But make no mistake, UCLA still peaked to hit consecutive season highs on vault in her absence.

And on floor, the Bruins still posted a 49.500 on Thursday without McGowan’s ability to add a strong 9.950 mark – her career high.

But a 49.500 on floor – a 9.900 average – is far from what UCLA is capable of. As one of the nation’s only programs to be in the talks of notching a perfect 50 on the event, the squad has posted the nation’s highest floor total twice this year with two 49.800s.

McGowan was a member of both those floor rotations, and what she could have added to the Bruins’ regional performance could have helped upset No. 4 seed Utah and crown UCLA regional champions.

Don’t get me wrong, a 197.625 is a solid score, and the Bruins were still able to carve their way to Fort Worth, Texas. It adds to UCLA’s 12-week streak of 197.000-or-higher marks after a shaky season-opening performance.

But it could have been even higher had UCLA reached its full potential on bars. Junior Jordan Chiles was the only Bruin to hit at least a 9.900, and the squad finished the rotation with 49.275 after failing to stick a single dismount.

Frida Esparza – a First-Team All-American on bars after finishing the season ranked No. 7 on the event – posted one of her lowest scores of the year Saturday with a 9.825. The graduate student recorded eight scores of at least 9.900 on the event this year, and if that consistency continues to hold true, her sub-9.900 mark at the regional championships will be nothing more than a footnote.

In fact, Esparza owns the team’s second-best bar score this year, with a near-perfect 9.975, trailing Chiles’ perfect 10 from Jan. 18. And on paper, when you stack up each person’s season-best routines, UCLA has the firepower to break 199.050.

While it’s a tall order for every Bruin to peak on the same day, that tally offers a tantalizing glimpse of what the postseason could look like for UCLA.

It’s a team that’s peaking at the perfect time, tying the nation’s fourth-highest score this year March 22 and flying through the qualifying rounds to land at the nationals.

The pressure of a national championship can splinter even the strongest squad, but the last time a trophy was up for grabs, UCLA pulled through to win the Big Ten championship title in its first year in the conference.

The next piece of hardware will be awarded at Nationals on April 19, and the Bruins have every reason to believe it can be theirs.