LOS ANGELES — Chae Campbell won the all-around and came in clutch when she was needed most in No. 8 UCLA gymnastics’ 197.200-194.700 win over Illinois on Saturday afternoon.
Campbell scored 39.400 across all four events. The graduate student tied for first in vault with Jordan Chiles in the Bruins’ home opener and second Big Ten Conference meet of the season at Pauley Pavilion.
The team score against the Illini (3-2 overall, 1-1 Big Ten) ran UCLA’s streak of exceeding 197 to three meets. The Bruins (5-2, 2-0) scored 197.550 in their last two meets after recording a 195.250 in their season opener.
The signature floor party wrapped up the meet on a celebratory note. Emma Malabuyo hit 9.925 in the Bruins’ second floor routine and true freshman Macy McGowan followed with a 9.875 in her Western-style routine embellished with hints of Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter.
Brooklyn Moors and Campbell reached 9.90 on floor and Chiles anchored the group with her 9.95-scoring, Prince-inspired performance.
UCLA tied a season-high team score on vault with a 49.725. Campbell’s 9.925 was a season best and Emily Lee’s leadoff 9.90 tied a career high.
The Bruins got out to a shaky start on balance beam when Lee briefly wobbled twice in her leadoff routine and Katelyn Rosen had a fall after a back handspring layout. The experience of Campbell, Moors and Malabuyo came in clutch when the trio recorded scores of 9.850, 9.875 and 9.900, respectively.
Chiles performed an exhibition routine but did not compete in the all-around after taking part in all four events last week.
The team beam score of 49.150 was the second-lowest of the season.
There was also stifled success on uneven bars in UCLA’s second rotation. While there were no major deductions, the Bruins recorded their second-lowest event score of the season with a 49.225. Specialist Frida Esparza won the event with a season-high 9.925.
The Bruins have another home meet Feb. 1 against Michigan State.
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