The atmosphere at Pauley Pavilion was electric as the No. 5 UCLA Bruins gymnastics team took on No. 25 Penn State in a meet filled with emotion, personal milestones, and a celebration of unity. For freshman Mika Webster-Longin, the evening marked a pivotal moment in her young collegiate career. Though she wasn’t competing on the balance beam—her only event she wasn’t participating in during the night—she was determined to make her presence felt in every other way. As she prepared to cheer on her teammates, she locked arms with assistant coach Mark Freeman, embodying the team’s mantra of “all for one, one for all.” The gesture quickly drew in more Bruins, creating a powerful display of support that would set the tone for the night. Webster-Longin, a Belgian national, had already made a name for herself earlier in the season with her immense talent and work ethic, but this meet was something special—it was UCLA’s Pride Meet, a celebration of love and unity, and she was ready to shine.
Webster-Longin’s performances on the night were nothing short of stellar. She delivered a career-high 9.900 on the floor exercise and a career-best 9.85 on the vault, electrifying the crowd and her teammates alike. Her floor routine, in particular, was a standout moment, blending power, precision, and artistry in a way that left a lasting impression. For her, competing in three events for the first time at the NCAA level was a thrilling experience, and she embraced the opportunity to contribute to her team’s success. “It felt amazing to be able to put my three events out there and do it for the team on our Pride meet—just celebrating love—which was really awesome,” she said. The energy she brought to the floor was contagious, and it was clear that this meet was a defining moment not just for her, but for the entire team.
The Bruins’ victory over Penn State, with a final score of 197.675 to 195.450, was a testament to their hard work and camaraderie. Webster-Longin’s performance was just one piece of a larger puzzle that came together perfectly on the night. Her journey to this point, however, was far from overnight. UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald had known Webster-Longin since her club gymnastics days at East Bay Gymnastics in Concord, California. McDonald had coached the young gymnast when she was just a teenager and had always been impressed by her unique combination of power and grace. “It’s been a long time coming for [Webster-Longin],” McDonald said, reflecting on her growth. “Over the past two weeks, something’s clicked for her to be able to be really intentional, really confident, and really attack the gymnastics she’s doing.” For McDonald, seeing Webster-Longin step into her role as a key contributor for the Bruins was a source of immense pride.
The meet also highlighted the Bruins’ growing strength on the uneven bars, an event that has been a focus for the team in recent weeks. Frida Esparza, a graduate student and fan favorite, delivered a career-best 9.975 on the apparatus, wowing the crowd with her precision and artistry. Her performance was so inspiring that her teammates erupted in cheers, especially when she stuck her dismount. Sophomore Sydney Barros pumped her fist in celebration, while McDonald jumped up and down, clearly thrilled with the result. Esparza’s performance was matched by Jordan Chiles, who also scored a 9.975 on the bars, helping the Bruins achieve a season-high 49.575 on the event. The team’s improvement on the bars has been a key factor in their recent success, and McDonald couldn’t be happier with the progress they’ve made. “I started to see just extreme efficiency [on uneven bars] and the turns they’re taking are just exactly how they want them to be, more consistently,” she said.
In addition to the bars, the Bruins continued to dominate on the balance beam, an event where they are currently ranked fourth in the nation. Despite not matching their season-high score of 49.625, which they achieved just a week earlier in Seattle, the team still delivered an impressive 49.450. Senior Emily Lee led the way with a season-high 9.925, while Brooklyn Moors and Chae Campbell both stuck their dismounts to score 9.900 each. The beam has long been a stronghold for UCLA, and Friday’s performance was another example of their consistency and skill. Webster-Longin, though not competing on the beam, was once again a vocal supporter, cheering on her teammates with the same energy and passion she had brought to her own performances.
As the Bruins prepare for their next meet against No. 16 Michigan on February 23, they do so with a renewed sense of confidence and unity. Friday’s victory was more than just a win—it was a celebration of the hard work, resilience, and camaraderie that define this team. For Webster-Longin, the meet was a reminder of how far she’s come and how much she still has to give. For McDonald and the coaching staff, it was a testament to the progress they’ve made as a program. And for the seniors like Emily Lee and Frida Esparza, it was another opportunity to leave their mark on a program they’ve helped shape. As the Bruins look ahead to the rest of the season, one thing is clear: they’re ready to take on whatever challenges come their way, together.
