​UCLA gymnastics has been on a remarkable trajectory this season. The program won its first-ever Big Ten Championship title with a record-setting score of 198.450 in its inaugural year in the conference. The Bruins continued their impressive run by finishing as runners-up at the NCAA Championships, narrowly missing the top spot to Oklahoma by just four-tenths of a point. Central to UCLA’s success has been Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, whose performances have electrified audiences and judges alike. Chiles achieved a near-perfect 9.975 on the floor exercise during the NCAA Championships and secured her second NCAA uneven bars title at the national championships.

Amidst this backdrop of team triumphs and individual accolades, the gymnastics community was taken by surprise when news emerged that a UCLA gymnast had entered the transfer portal.

When Jordan Chiles’ teammate Paige Anastasi first joined UCLA’s campus in the fall of 2023, she carried with her the weight of expectation. The Massachusetts native arrived in Westwood as a four-time Development Program National Championships competitor with an impressive resume: Top 15 finishes on vault, 12th on floor in 2022, and that remarkable 9.950 vault score during her pre-collegiate career. The gymnastics world watched with bated breath. Would this phenomenal performer become UCLA’s next star?

“Paige is a dynamic gymnast who brings a high-level skill set to the team,” UCLA Head Coach Janelle McDonald had said when signing her. “Her enthusiasm for becoming a Bruin is infectious.” Those words seemed prophetic as Anastasi settled into the storied program that had produced Olympic champions and NCAA legends. But the script is somewhat different now!

The collegiate gymnastics careers rarely follow a straight line, and the gymnast who once couldn’t contain her excitement about becoming a Bruin is probably now ready for a change. Well, the UCLA sophomore is entering the transfer portal. Paige Anastasi posted an Instagram story today, which had her in a black-and-white photograph performing what appears to be a floor exercise. The gymnast seemed to be captured mid-routine with her arm extended outward.

The story read, “After much consideration…I have entered the transfer portal. Thank you UCLA for the best 2 years and thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. I trust GOD will help me find a new home and I have so much faith in what’s in store. I can’t wait to see what the future holds. ❤️”

Her UCLA journey in the 2023-24 season showed her vault specialization, competing in 10 meets her freshman year with a standout 9.925 against Clemson, where she perfectly stuck her Yurchenko 1.5. She averaged an impressive 9.892 in her final three regular-season meets and scored 9.900 at the Pac-12 Championships, tying for fourth. So, what is the reason behind this decision?

Well, for one, her sophomore season hasn’t turned out how she would’ve wanted. She competed in only one meet, scoring 9.725 on vault. This limited participation could be attributed to the team’s deep roster and the presence of other accomplished gymnasts. Chiles returned to the program this year for her junior year, and they also have Riley Jenkins, Mika Webster-Longin, and Macy McGowan. Hence, Anastasi might want to land at a program that might offer her a starting slot.

Besides this, there could be another reason behind Anastasi’s exit.

At UCLA, Anastasi developed a close bond with Selena Harris. Last May, Selena Harris was removed from the UCLA team and entered the transfer portal, which could be a reason Anastasi is also on her way out.

News of her departure hasn’t gone unnoticed. As the now-deleted Instagram story began circulating, fans took to social media with a mix of emotions. The reactions have been pouring in ever since, and they haven’t been quiet.

Fans are divided on Jordan Chiles’ teammate transfer decision

UCLA’s Paige Anastasi’s decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal has sparked a wave of emotional reactions among fans, many of whom still remember the buzz around her standout  9.800 or higher in five meets in the freshman season. One fan shared, “Really sad to hear… we had a really nice conversation and I remember telling her that I hope she makes the lineups for the season. I am wishing the absolute best for her and I hope she thrives at her new place!”

Still, some weren’t entirely surprised by the move. “She hasn’t really seemed happy at UCLA this year and also isn’t getting in the lineups. I think she could do well at a school where she’s consistently competing. I think it just wasn’t a fit,” one fan noted. Others pointed to UCLA’s ultra-competitive vault roster as a key reason.

“Her freshman year she competed pretty regularly… but this year she exhibitioned pretty often and rarely made lineups, because Jordan Chiles is back and they also got Riley, Mika, and Macy. They’re losing Chae and Brooklyn but gaining Tiana, Nola, Jordis, and Ava Marie—all with 10.0 SV vaults. I can see why Paige thinks she should look elsewhere.”

Well, Paige Anastasi has performed once this season. And that, too, because McGowan was absent from the vault bars and floor lineups after sustaining a back injury. Paige competed on the vault lineup on April 3rd, scoring only a 9.725. Freshman Riley Jenkins later replaced her.

Supporters also acknowledged the emotional toll behind the scenes. “Based on all her YouTube vids, she was close with Nya and Margzetta, plus a lot of the soccer team—and many transferred. Probably not easy when everyone she’s close to is gone.”  Well, Paige Anastasi does have her YouTube channel with about 28.9k subscribers, where she keeps her fans and followers updated regularly.

Another fan noted the same: “I’m not surprised. I hope she’ll have an Alex Irvine glow-up and contribute consistently for another program.” Alex Irvine transferred to Auburn after her freshman year at UCLA in 2024. During her time at UCLA, she just showed once on floor, twice on bars, and four times on vault. Whereas, at Auburn, she showed up 12 times on bars and scored 9.800 or more each time. Thus, still, hope runs high for what’s ahead.