Things can go haywire at any moment, and UCLA gymnastics might have to suffer significantly. Competing in the NCAA semifinals, the UCLA Bruins are looking to get the better of their competitors. Getting one of the biggest receptions at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, the likes of Jordan Chiles had some significant dreams. After having orchestrated a stupendous Paris performance, Chiles decided to come back to her alma mater for one last time. Unfortunately, with the all-important semifinal going on, the tensions are rising significantly for Chiles and her team due to a heartbreaking loss. 

Going up against the likes of the LSU Tigers, Utah, and Michigan State, Chiles’ UCLA already had its tasks cut out. And to further add insult to injury, one of their biggest pillars has, in all probability, injured herself badly. Mika-Webstar Longin has been an upcoming star for the Bruins. According to a recent report surfacing on X, Longin might have botched the landing of her vault. Rumored to have suffered a brutal injury, her unavailability, if any, will be a major area of concern going forward for the Bruins.

The Bruins have been one of the better teams this season. And much of its success can be attributed to Longin. Born in San Francisco, California, Longin chose to sign up for the UCLA Bruins for a specific reason. According to her, “the culture of excellence that is cultivated here both academically and athletically. Not only did it fit my goals for gymnastics, it offers a great education and a multitude of opportunities.” Having competed at the 2023 Nationals, Longin still cannot forget the thrill of taking the victory podium in front of a large crowd.

Longin marked her presence by winning the all-around as well as the floor and bars. Thus, when a gymnast of such a stature gets injured, the team is likely to suffer significantly. While confirmation on her injury status is still pending, with Longin taking a backseat, it was up to Jordan Chiles to deliver. And she did not disappoint.

Jordan Chiles delivered the best performance when it mattered most

In a semifinal showdown that saw defending NCAA champion LSU bow out, Chiles powered UCLA into Saturday’s championship final with a clutch performance on the uneven bars. Her near-perfect 9.975, capped by a stuck dismount and a wave of emotion, sealed her third career NCAA apparatus title and lifted the Bruins over the top in a tense session at Dickies Arena. It was the moment that set the tone for UCLA’s advancement. Moreover, it served as a reminder of Chiles’ championship pedigree.

Chiles, fresh off a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, didn’t need theatrics—just flawless execution. She didn’t win the all-around, finishing fifth behind Oklahoma’s Jordan Bowers, but her signature event came through at the perfect time. The title on bars edged her past Olympic teammate Grace McCallum, who was placed second.

Jordan’s 2025 campaign now includes a defining moment. That is lifting UCLA past the No. 1 seed and into the title round alongside Utah, Missouri, and Oklahoma. If the Bruins go on to win it all, they’ll look back at her anchor routine on bars as the turning point—the one that said, “We’re not done yet.”