UCLA Gymnastics Falls Short at NCAA Championships

Jordan Chiles and the Bruins stumble in semifinal round, miss out on finals

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:22pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a UCLA gymnast performing on the uneven bars, with the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of blue, gold, and white.The UCLA gymnastics team's semifinal stumble at the NCAA Championships exposed the intense pressure and unpredictability of elite college competition.Fort Worth Today

The UCLA gymnastics team, led by star Jordan Chiles, fell short in their bid to win the NCAA Championship, finishing third in the semifinal round after a shaky performance. Despite Chiles' individual title on floor exercise, the Bruins were unable to overcome early mistakes and fell behind Minnesota, who clinched their first-ever trip to the NCAA finals.

Why it matters

The UCLA gymnastics program has been a powerhouse in recent years, winning multiple national titles. This unexpected semifinal defeat is a major disappointment for the team and its fans, who had high hopes for the Bruins to contend for another championship. The result also highlights the intense competition and unpredictability of NCAA gymnastics, where even the top teams can struggle on a given night.

The details

In the semifinal round, the Bruins got off to a rough start when Chiles fell off the uneven bars early in her routine. While UCLA was able to drop that score, the mistake set an ominous tone. The Bruins rallied to move into second place after the third rotation, but stumbles on vault and beam in the final rotation doomed their chances. Minnesota, the No. 13 seed, pulled off the upset to advance to the NCAA finals for the first time in school history.

  • The NCAA Championships were held on April 17, 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • UCLA competed in the semifinal round on Thursday night.

The players

Jordan Chiles

A two-time college champion in the uneven bars, Chiles was the star of the UCLA gymnastics team. She won the individual title on floor exercise, but her early mistake on bars set the Bruins back.

Katelyn Rosen

A UCLA gymnast who stumbled on her landing in the vault, contributing to the Bruins' struggles.

Mika Webster-Longin

A UCLA gymnast who took a few steps back on her landing, further hurting the team's chances.

Jenny Hansen

The head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, whose team pulled off the upset to advance to the NCAA finals for the first time in school history.

Janelle McDonald

The head coach of the UCLA Bruins, who was left disappointed after her team's semifinal defeat.

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What they’re saying

“I'm still in a little disbelief. What a night.”

— Jenny Hansen, Minnesota Golden Gophers Head Coach

“Am I a little disappointed? A hundred percent, but you know what? My team fought for every single thing that they were doing.”

— Jordan Chiles

“We didn't start off with our strongest rotation, and so I thought that they really turned the page in the next two events and really went lights-out. They were really fighting for each moment and really trying to stay present through it.”

— Janelle McDonald, UCLA Head Coach

What’s next

The NCAA Gymnastics Championships will conclude on Saturday, April 19, 2026, with the top four teams from the semifinals competing for the national title.

The takeaway

This defeat is a tough pill to swallow for the UCLA gymnastics program, which had high hopes of contending for another NCAA championship. However, the Bruins' resilience and determination, exemplified by Jordan Chiles' individual title, shows that they will be back stronger next season to reclaim their spot atop the NCAA gymnastics landscape.