This past weekend, UCLA Club Gymnastics returned from NAIGC Western Regionals in Arizona with medals across all three disciplines: Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG), Women's Artistic Gymnastics (WAG), and Trampoline and Tumbling (TNT). Newcomers and veteran athletes alike traveled 400 miles by car (each way!) to attend their first travel meet of 2026, many of whom participated in multiple sessions throughout the day of the competition.
The Bruins started strong in the morning MAG session when freshmen Alex Nally and Parker Mann excelled in the Intermediate and Advanced divisions, respectively, with Nally earning 1st place on vault and parallel bars and Mann scoring a 12.8 to tie for third on vault. In the women's MAG Intermediate category, freshman Katie Huang placed first on vault while sophomore Imani Castillo Yee put up a impressive score of 12.1 to win floor. Despite having no formal MAG training nor access to men's equipment, Bruins in the Developmental level medaled on nearly every event, often learning new skills or even entire routines during warm-up. UCLA gymnasts placed first on floor, rings, parallel bars, high bar, and all-around. Senior and president Evan Leach won pommel horse, rings, parallel bar, and high bar in the men's collegiate division. Junior Alessandra Swiryn Di Cosmo powered through all six MAG events to win the all-around gold. Sophomores Bella Dexter and Allison Yueh tied for first place on floor while senior Kirin Chacko won on high bar. First-year transfers Brinkley and Brooklyn Baker tied for first on rings, drawing on their strength and flexibility from ten years of circus training to complete difficult routines at their second-ever gymnastics competition. "I actually didn't have a routine, it was improv," said Brooklyn in reference to the parallel bars routine that earned her the bronze.
In the first WAG sessions, Xcel Diamond and Platinum, the Bruins had consistent and clean performances, with the Diamond team sweeping the podium on vault with a 9.4 from freshman Aniya Kalyani, a 9.45 from Castillo Yee, and a 9.7 from Chacko. The bars rotation showcased strong routines from the entire team, with an average score of 9.525 and two medals: 3rd place for freshman Marla Perrier and 1st place for Castillo Yee. MAG athletes Nally, Barba, and Mann debuted remarkable WAG routines featuring high-valued skills, including a back handspring from Mann and a back tuck from Barba in their first beam routines in competition. On floor, Kalyani won with her sky-high tumbling and lively artistry, earning a 9.7 — the same score that sophomore Ashlyn Bondsmith received in the next session to win gold on floor in Xcel Platinum! Junior Payton Rater performed a near-perfect beam routine to earn a 9.9, the highest WAG score of the competition.
The TNT competition was full of surprises, especially considering that most Bruins have not had the chance to practice trampoline since the last travel meet. In their synchronized trampoline routine, Barba and Mann mirrored each other with near perfect timing, as did the bronze winning dynamic duo of Aniya Kalyani and Kayla Kirkendall. Chacko earned the bronze on the individual trampoline, and Mann executed a solid pass on double mini to earn first place, before an unfortunate equipment malfunction prematurely terminated competition on that event. "It was really fun getting to explore and learn other events that I was never able to compete before," Mann said. "I love how supportive and encouraging the team is when it comes to trying new events and disciplines!"
After a long day of competing, most of the Bruins turned their focus to cheering on sophomore Ben Harte in WAG Level 9 as he closed out the competition with his signature artistry and confidence. On beam, he won with a new acrobatic series bringing extra difficulty and excitement to his already superb routine. He concluded the meet with his best floor routine of the year, scoring a 9.650 to garner another first place title in his division.
In addition to the successes in the competition itself, the experience reinforced club morale and connection. "It was a wonderful first meet experience with the team," Perrier said. "Everyone's uplifting spirits really fueled our great performances!" Invigorated by an exciting weekend of flips and comradery, UCLA Club Gymnastics is prepared to bring its hallmark enthusiasm and ebullience to the Triton Coastal Classic in just a week.
