2026 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Awards: Chiles, McDonald Honored | UCLA, Michigan, Minnesota Winners

ROSEMONT, Ill. – UCLA gymnast Jordan Chiles was named Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, the conference announced Monday, capping a dominant season that saw her achieve a record-breaking all-around score at the Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships. The announcement comes after UCLA secured its second consecutive Big Ten title on March 21, defeating Michigan, Minnesota, and Michigan State.

Chiles, a senior, posted a conference-record all-around score of 39.825 at the championships, becoming only the second gymnast in Big Ten history to surpass 39.800, joining Michigan’s Elise Ray who accomplished the feat in 2004. She earned a perfect 10 on floor exercise, repeating her championship victory in the event, and likewise won the balance beam title with a 9.950. Chiles tied for the uneven bars title with a 9.950 alongside Sydney Barros of UCLA and three other gymnasts.

“Our team is just going up from here,” Chiles told Big Ten Network after the championships. “We haven’t hit our peak yet. Obviously, there are still things that we can work on as individuals, but I believe the team environment is definitely there. I couldn’t be more proud of each and every single athlete that went up today and stepped in as well.”

UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald was also recognized, earning Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Under McDonald’s leadership, the Bruins finished with a perfect 9-0 record in conference meets and remain undefeated against Big Ten opponents since joining the conference. UCLA’s team score of 198.100 at the championships was the fifth-highest in Big Ten Championships history.

Michigan’s Carly Bauman was named Big Ten Event Specialist of the Year, becoming the first Wolverine to receive the honor. Bauman earned a second-place finish on floor exercise at the championships with a score of 9.950. Minnesota’s Arianna Ostrum was selected as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, co-championing on vault with a 9.950 and earning all-championships team laurels for her performances on vault, floor exercise, and in the all-around.

UCLA’s success extended beyond the individual awards, with four Bruins earning All-Big Ten honors: Chiles, Ashlee Sullivan, and Tiana Sumanasekera on the first team, and Ciena Alipio on the second team. Sullivan and Sumanasekera were also named to the all-freshman team, making UCLA the only school with multiple selections.

The Big Ten Championships saw UCLA’s Riley Jenkins tie for the vault title with a career-high 9.950. The Bruins started the meet with a 49.425 on balance beam, and ultimately secured the championship with a final score of 198.100, followed by Michigan State (197.475) and Minnesota (196.900).