Jordan Chiles Aims for NCAA Title in Final Season

UCLA gymnast seeks first team championship to cap storied career

Apr. 15, 2026 at 2:21pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a gymnast mid-routine, with overlapping planes of color and movement capturing the energy and dynamism of the sport.Chiles' quest for an NCAA team title caps her celebrated college career.Los Angeles Today

Jordan Chiles, the most recognizable face in college gymnastics, is entering her final NCAA season with one goal in mind: leading UCLA to its first national team title since 2018. The 25-year-old has won three individual NCAA championships and helped the Bruins to back-to-back Big Ten titles, but a team trophy has eluded her so far.

Why it matters

Chiles' celebrity and success have brought unprecedented attention to the UCLA gymnastics program, with record crowds attending meets across the country. A national championship would cement her legacy and provide a triumphant end to her storied NCAA career.

The details

After deferring her junior season to focus on making the 2024 Olympic team, where she won gold, Chiles returned to UCLA for a stellar senior campaign. She won the Big Ten all-around, bars, beam, and floor titles, and was named the conference's Gymnast of the Year. Chiles has also balanced external opportunities, including appearing on 'Dancing with the Stars' last fall.

  • Chiles turns 25 on Wednesday, April 17, 2026.
  • The NCAA gymnastics national semifinals take place on Thursday, April 18, 2026.
  • Chiles helped lead UCLA to the semifinals in 2023, narrowly missing the finals.

The players

Jordan Chiles

A 25-year-old senior gymnast at UCLA who is a three-time individual NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist.

Janelle McDonald

The head coach of the UCLA gymnastics team, who took over the program in 2022 and has helped rebuild the team's culture and success.

Cecile Canqueteau-Landi

Chiles' former club coach, who is now the head coach at the University of Georgia.

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What they’re saying

“Bringing home a national championship would mean everything. For me, it would have taken four years to get it. I mean, I'm already an individual NCAA champion, but now I'm at a point where it's all about the team. That trophy isn't just for me; it's for every single person that was able to come and be a part of what the Bruins are all about.”

— Jordan Chiles, UCLA Gymnast

“Having a leader like Jordan, who teaches all of these values to the newcomers who come in, that's how you build a long-lasting team culture.”

— Janelle McDonald, UCLA Gymnastics Head Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Chiles' celebrity and success have brought unprecedented attention to UCLA gymnastics, and a national championship would cement her legacy and provide a triumphant end to her storied NCAA career.