Jordan Chiles might as well be the best thing that happened to UCLA gymnastics. Just look at 2025, for example. UCLA’s been dominant all along and now comes in their maiden Big 10 title. A lot of the credit goes directly to Chiles. After all, she and UCLA were a team that was always meant to be. In 7th grade, Chiles had already made her decision: she was going to UCLA. And the side better be grateful to the Californian sunshine and on-campus Jamba Juice for this. But there were times when she doubted her choice. Possibly wanted to throw it all away in the burner. But why?
In her book, I’m That Girl, Jordan Chiles specifies, “But life as a Bruin had its own challenges, reminding me that what I’d faced as a Black woman in gymnastics wasn’t exclusive to the elite level.” Also, she would often add hip-hop or R&B music to her NCAA routines. For this one time, she went viral for tumbling on the floor to a medley of Normani and Lizzo. She even added a hint of hip-hop dance to it. But while she was proud of breaking the mold, she wrote, “The older NCAA judges frowned upon it…”
This story is developing…
The post Jordan Chiles’ First Thoughts on Competing for UCLA Unearthed Amid Big 10 Championship Victory Debut appeared first on EssentiallySports.