UCLA’s Jordan Chiles Shines with Perfect 10 in Gymnastics
Los Angeles, California – On February 11, 2023, Jordan Chiles of the UCLA Bruins stole the spotlight at Pauley Pavilion with an incredible performance that earned her a perfect 10 on the bars during a meet against Maryland. This achievement marks a significant moment as it follows another perfect score delivered just one day prior by Helen Hu from the Missouri Tigers.
In a dual meet against the top-ranked Oklahoma team last Friday, Hu executed a stunning routine that wowed judges and fans alike, featuring impressive balletic movements and a challenging gainer pike dismount. The widespread acclaim for Hu’s performance highlighted her status as one of the nation’s most skilled gymnasts, though she may not be as widely recognized as some of her Olympic counterparts.
After this week’s scoring streak, the collegiate gymnastics scene is buzzing, as NCAA judges have generally been more conservative in their scoring this season. The last time a perfect score was awarded in NCAA gymnastics was back in 2021, leading to many fans wondering if the new judging criteria implemented over last summer was yielding results.
Historically, once perfect tens start appearing, they tend to accumulate quickly. When Chiles and Hu achieved their scores, some fans speculate it could signal the beginning of another scoring surge. The last season saw a remarkable increase in perfect scores as the weeks progressed, culminating in a staggering total of 87 tens awarded throughout the season.
This trend continued as the Utah Red Rocks recently matched the highest team score of the season with a score of 197.950, coinciding with several teams breaking their own personal bests during the same competition. Although some may question the integrity of the scoring process, as long as the judging maintains fairness and consistency, high scores can be celebrated in the spirit of gymnastics.
In addition, the NCAA’s National Qualifying Score (NQS) system designed to measure teams and individuals through their top performances adds a layer of accountability to the judging process, as teams must achieve their scores under specific conditions. Analysts comment that while the introduction of new systems looks promising, the ongoing challenge remains how well judges can uphold standards as the season unfolds.
The gymnastics community is abuzz with excitement and anticipation. As the season progresses, fans and athletes alike will keenly watch whether this week’s surge in perfect scores will transform into a consistent trend. Only time will tell!
