Mika Webster-Longin nudged assistant coach Mark Freeman as she ready to look at her teammates compete on the beam. She wanted to lock arms together with her coach, to finish an “all-for-one, one-for-all” cheering part.
As Freeman locked arms with the freshman, extra Bruins joined to finish the chain-link impact. Competing in three NCAA occasions for the primary time, beam was the one occasion Webster-Longin wasn’t lined up on Friday evening. But, the Belgian nationwide gymnast targeted on what she might management at that second — receiving vitality from the gymnasts round her.
For Webster-Longin, that vitality was mirrored in her performances. Notching a career-high 9.900 on flooring train and a career-best of 9.85 in vault, Webster-Longin launched herself to Pauley Pavilion in commanding trend, powering No. 5 UCLA gymnastics to a 197.675-195.450 victory over No. 25 Penn State.
Jordan Chiles gained the all-around, scoring 39.600 and utilizing a team-high 9.95-floor routine to provide UCLA a 49.550 rating on the occasion to finish the evening. Penn State scored under 49 on each occasion, by no means threatening the Bruins.
Frida Esparza, who roused the gang by taking part in the “Star Spangled Banner” on her electrical guitar earlier than the meet started, drew its cheers once more together with her efficiency on uneven bars.
With every handstand — extending vertically like an arrow — Esparza’s teammates roared. Sophomore Sydney Barros pumped her fist on the graduate pupil’s closing handstand and coach Janelle McDonald jumped up and down as Esparza caught her dismount.
Esparza recorded a career-best 9.975 on the equipment, related with Jordan Chiles — who scored the identical — to cap the rotation and assist the Bruins attain a season-high 49.575 rating. Uneven bars have changed into a dependable occasion for UCLA in current weeks, with the Bruins scoring above 49.3 in 4 of their final six meets.
Steadiness beam, maybe the Bruins’ strongest occasion this season, additionally went off and not using a hitch. Senior Emily Lee tied her season-high with a rating of 9.925. Chae Campbell and Brooklyn Moors caught their dismounts en path to 9.900 scores.
UCLA’s 49.450 on beam was nonetheless nearly two-tenths away from its greatest in 2025 — 49.625 in Seattle final week — however Friday evening offered outcomes on par with one of the best within the nation.