When UCLA gymnastics’ season ended with a third-place finish at the national semifinal, it marked more than just the close of the Bruins’ 2026 campaign – it also brought an end to senior Jordan Chiles’ collegiate career. Across four seasons in Westwood, Chiles captured four individual NCAA titles, recorded 19 perfect 10s and amassed 131 event victories. The Houston local arguably left her biggest mark on floor, where she earned 12 perfect 10s throughout her career. The Daily Bruin gymnastics beat discusses which gymnasts could step into Chiles’ coveted role of floor anchor.
Finn Karish
Daily Bruin reporter
Prediction: Ashlee Sullivan
(Oops), she did it again.
Ashlee Sullivan’s energetic floor routine, backed by a Britney Spears soundtrack, was a fan favorite during her debut season. A massive double layout followed by a double back tuck propelled the freshman through the air and firmly into the core of UCLA’s floor rotation.
After breaking the 9.900 barrier with a career-high 9.950 against Washington on Jan. 30, Sullivan repeated the mark three more times, only scoring below 9.900 twice throughout the remainder of the season.
In fact, the Richardson, Texas, local’s 9.930 floor NQS exceeds the 9.925 mark set by senior Jordan Chiles during her debut season with the Bruins in 2022. Following a season where Chiles scored six perfect 10s on the apparatus alongside a nation-leading 9.995 NQS, Sullivan showed her potential to measure up to the Olympic gold medalist.
As she enters her second year with the squad, Sullivan is poised to take over Chiles’ role as floor anchor. With a full season of NCAA gymnastics under her belt, the four-time U.S. National Team member will likely be looking to earn her first career perfect 10, and floor might be just the apparatus for her to accomplish the feat.
As the 2027 season approaches, the Bruins – who always provide top-notch choreography – will find an artful anchor in Sullivan, who fits right into the entertainment capital of the world.
Ella Dunderdale
Assistant Sports editor
Prediction: Sydney Barros
There is one quality of a floor anchor that cannot be taught: star power.
And junior Sydney Barros has it in spades.
When Barros steps onto the floor, she exudes the confidence required of a successful anchor, carrying an unshakable presence that allows her to deliver when it matters most.
That confidence is complemented by dynamic Latin-inspired choreography and music that serves as a love letter to her Puerto Rican identity. A floor anchor needs a routine that captivates an audience, and Barros has exactly that.
[Related: Despite injury, Sydney Barros finds her passion, cultural heritage in gymnastics]
Although Barros experienced some inconsistency throughout the season, recording three scores below 9.800, it is reasonable to expect growing pains from an athlete competing in an event for the first time in her collegiate career. More encouraging is the fact she earned a 9.900 in her floor debut and matched that score four times throughout the season.
Plus, the 2023 Puerto Rican all-around national champion showed significant improvement in the latter half of the year, posting scores above 9.850 in each of her final five performances.
Ultimately, the Bruins need an upperclassman who is accustomed to the pressures of both elite and collegiate gymnastics. Barros fits that description perfectly.
Sofia Celis
Daily Bruin contributor
Prediction: Tiana Sumanasekera
Freshman Tiana Sumanasekera is no stranger to the floor.
The five-time U.S. National Team member has been a star on the event as early as 2021, when she took gold on floor at the American Classic. And the Pleasanton, California, local has been quick to make an impact in her first year with the Bruins, earning a career-high 9.950 at the April 3 regional second round and posting seven marks at or above 9.900.
Despite notching a career-low 9.650 Feb. 22, Sumanasekera carried herself through a period of growth until the end of the season, never dropping below 9.875 again. In fact, the mark was the only floor score below 9.825 all season – showcasing the consistency required of a floor anchor and the ability to bring the house down.
It’s also important to note that Sumanasekera achieved this journey while competing in all 15 floor lineups throughout the season. And like many great Bruin floor anchors, she pairs that consistency with a viral routine. Shaped by her Sri Lankan heritage, the routine served as a love letter to her family and culture, resonating with gymnastics fans across the globe.
[Related: Reaching for the Olympics, gymnast Tiana Sumanasekera draws on Sri Lankan heritage]
Sumanasekera has grown and maintained a strong footing on floor this year, and I have no doubt the freshman will be headlining in the near future.
Alexandra Crosnoe
Daily Bruin senior staff
Prediction: Mika Webster-Longin
Sophomore Mika Webster-Longin is used to stepping up.
As a freshman, she was named to the Big Ten All-Championship team, won vault at the NCAA Regional Final and debuted in the all-around.
And when UCLA lost key athletes at the end of the 2025 season, Webster-Longin proved her freshman-year fortitude was no fluke, competing in the all-around five times throughout her sophomore season and becoming one of the Bruins’ most dependable gymnasts in every event.
And nowhere did Webster-Longin showcase that more than on floor.
Despite starting the season with three sub-9.850 scores on the apparatus, Webster-Longin steadily improved throughout the season, earning four scores at or above 9.900. Her 9.842 floor average for the season stands within the top five of next year’s returning athletes.
Alongside her top-notch scores, the Richmond, California, local has the unique ability to execute the artistry that Chiles’ anchor floor routines came to be known for. Webster-Longin’s long, clean lines and elegance when competing eliminate built-in deductions, making her a solid pick to cap off the Bruins’ floor parties.
Chiles – who earned 12 perfect 10s on floor throughout her career – has left enormous shoes to fill.
But Webster-Longin can be the one to step up.
After all, she’s used to it.
Comments are closed.