This post was updated April 9 at 9:48 p.m.
The stands of Pauley Pavilion were filled with cardboard cutouts when the Bruins’ class of now-seniors first took the floor in January 2021.
Gymnasts couldn’t share chalk or embrace after routines; they all donned masks when not competing and had begun preseason training late in October.
It wasn’t the collegiate debut they had imagined when they committed to UCLA.
But much can change in four years.
By the end of their senior season, the UCLA gymnastics’ class of 2024 had seen the athletics community reel from a pandemic and slowly build itself back up. Individuals went viral, transformed the program, earned conference titles – and finally hugged again after successful routines.
But after Friday’s third-place finish at the NCAA California Regional semifinal, those seniors failed to make nationals for the third time in their four years.
“That’s not how we wanted their career to end, but I’m really proud of them,” said coach Janelle McDonald, who was in tears when speaking about the senior class. “The grit and determination and leadership that they’ve showed for our team all season long, … I couldn’t ask for more from them.”
Seniors Sara Ulias, Katie McNamara and Frida Esparza – all Pac-12 academic honor roll members – endured injuries that took them out of lineups for at least a season.
Boasting three perfect 10s on floor, seven perfect Yurchenko full scores and a Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year title, senior Chae Campbell was the first gymnast to achieve all four weekly conference honors in the history of the Pac-12.
“This senior class is like nothing else. The legacy they have left for us to carry on is incomparable,” said junior Brooklyn Moors. “They truly brought so much love and fun and dedication to this team.”
And while the senior class retains an extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an opportunity to further their legacy, many of the fifth- and sixth-year graduate students’ time at UCLA has ended.
Graduate students Chloe Lashbrooke and Emma Andres each missed at least a season because of injury, but both worked their way into lineups in 2024, with the latter becoming a regular on beam and floor. Andres recorded career highs of 9.900 and 9.925 on beam and floor, respectively, this season.
Nya Reed, a graduate transfer from Florida, joined UCLA this year on vault and floor. The six-time All-American earned season highs of 9.950 on both events.
But graduate student Margzetta Frazier, the longest-tenured Bruin, has exhausted all six years of her NCAA eligibility.
Frazier has trained under three coaching staffs, climbed back from a season-ending injury in 2022, reached career highs over 9.925 on every event and landed 146 out of 147 routines – going down as one of the Bruins’ most consistent gymnasts ever.
And while UCLA’s season and the careers of many graduating Bruins have concluded, two Bruins will advance to the NCAA championships as individuals.
“We’re always behind them,” Moors said. “No matter who’s going or who doesn’t, we’re one unit.”
Campbell, whose 9.950 on Friday in Berkeley qualified her to compete on floor, will make the journey to Fort Worth for her second time. She took a five-meet break from floor this season but returned to the lineup in March with her third perfect 10.
Sophomore Selena Harris will join Campbell to compete on beam after earning a 9.950 – just 0.025 short of her career-high – Friday to qualify.
McDonald said despite the team’s unfortunate early end to its season, she was proud of the multiple individual standout performances.
“Any time that you’re able to come out in a championship meet and do your best routine, it’s something to be inspired by,” McDonald said. “We had a lot of really great moments today that we can be proud of that we’re going to take away and celebrate for sure.”
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