Since joining UCLA in December 2021, Jordan Chiles has been a cornerstone of the Bruins’ gymnastics squad. After returning to the team in August 2024, she recently announced she’ll compete for UCLA in the upcoming season. Alongside standouts like Tiana Sumanasekera and Nola Matthews, Chiles helped the Bruins clinch the national runner-up spot at the 2025 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships with an impressive team score of 197.6125. And with top recruit Ashlee Sullivan set to join next season, UCLA’s future looks brighter than ever.

At the 42nd Memorial Arthur Gander Tournament, U.S. National Team standout Ashlee Sullivan extended her stellar 2025 run on, outshining the competition by over three points. She posted impressive scores across events: UB – 14.050, FX – 13.700, and VT – 13.650. The 18-year-old dominated the podium with a stellar total score of 41.400, ousting the world bronze medalist Abigail Martin and Spain’s European all-around silver medalist Alba Petisco.

With Ashlee Sullivan joining a powerhouse team led by Jordan Chiles, Head Coach Janelle McDonald shares, “We are excited to welcome Ashlee to Westwood. She has a world-class skill set with dynamic, beautiful, and exciting gymnastics that she is bringing to the team.”

She further added, “Ashlee is an incredibly determined, hard worker who brings positive energy and passion into all she does. That enthusiasm and work ethic will fit right into the team culture we have built and the goals we have. I see Ashlee making an immediate all-around impact for us this coming season, and I am so excited for her to join our Bruin Family this fall.” 

The Texas native is enjoying a breakthrough season this year. She opened her season with gold, claiming an all-around winning score at the Winter Cup, floor exercise silver, and balance beam bronze. She also shone at the World stage as well, helping the U.S to clinch the gold at the DTB Mixed Cup and earning all-around bronze and team silver at the 2025 Jesolo Trophy.

Representing the U.S. National Team twice, Sullivan has showcased her talent at two U.S. Championships and four Winter Cups, bringing home an impressive eight medals at the latter since 2021. Her career highlights include an all-around silver in 2023, balance beam bronzes in 2022 and 2023, a floor exercise bronze in 2023, and a vault silver as a junior in 2021.

In addition to Tiana Sumanasekera and three-time U.S. National Team member Nola Matthews, Sullivan will team up with elite standout Jordis Eichman and Level 10 national qualifiers Ava-Marie Callahan and Kai Mattei. While she is now achieving every gymnast’s dream, there was a time when she almost walked away from the sport this year.

Did Ashlee Sullivan really quit gymnastics in 2025?

Plagued by self-doubt about her readiness for elite competition, Ashlee Sullivan came dangerously close to stepping away from the elite ranks in early 2025. In January, she even considered dropping down to Level 10, a tier below elite gymnastics. But thanks to the guidance and encouragement of her coach, Sullivan made the pivotal decision to stay, and it has paid off spectacularly. Her bold choice ignited a breakout season, capped off by a thrilling all-around victory at the Winter Cup in February.

“It was definitely very surreal considering what I had been facing before that meet,” Sullivan told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview. “It was a big confidence booster and definitely set the tone for how I want the rest of the season to go.” Regaining her confidence, Sullivan returned to the mat with remarkable poise and precision.

Following her Winter Cup triumph, she dazzled at the DTB Mixed Team Cup in Germany, helping Team USA claim the gold medal. She continued her streak at the Jesolo Trophy, playing a pivotal role in securing a team silver and capturing an all-around bronze for herself. “It was definitely a long and difficult choice,” she said. “But we settled everything in around November and were like, ‘Okay, we’re going for it.’” 

Grateful to continue her season, Sullivan admitted that without her coach’s guidance, things could have taken a turn for the worse, but perhaps life had a different plan for her.