She is That Girl: Jordan Chiles' Game Changing NCAA Career

Jordan Chiles in her final collegiate floor routine, courtesy of Ross Turteltaub, UCLA Bruins

Jordan Chiles brought both showmanship and sportsmanship to NCAA gymnastics, bringing more attention to and reshaping NCAA gymnastics. And that's why she's the MVP.

In addition to her gold medal on the floor exercise (her fourth NCAA title), Chiles received this year's AAI Award at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships. The award, nicknamed the Heisman Trophy of gymnastics, annually recognizes the most outstanding senior gymnast. Chiles' senior season was her best one yet, as she finished the year ranked in the top four on every event, including first on floor and second in the all-around. She is the only gymnast this year to do so.

But it wasn't just Chiles' routines or scores that earned her the most prestigious award in NCAA gymnastics: it was who she was off the competition floor.

Chiles was more than just a leader for her Bruins teammates; she could be seen uplifting and embracing athletes and the gymnastics community in many ways all season long. She brought back her Prince-inspired routine and spoke to the Minnesota crowd while their state faced adversity, she danced along to and cheered for Stanford gymnast Ana Bărbosu on floor after the bronze medal situation at the Olympics, she sprinted over to the Golden Gophers to congratulate them as soon as they clinched their national championships berth, and she went on the floor to support Kailin Chio and LSU after they narrowly missed out on a national title.

Many colleges also saw sellout numbers and program record attendance turnouts when UCLA gymnastics came to compete. And while the argument could be that fans showed up to watch Chiles, they also got to spend two hours watching at least 48 routines and becoming immersed in the sport. The Chiles Effect should be viewed not as fans wanting to see Chiles herself, but rather the new era of gymnastics that she's been an integral part of shaping.

“[The AAI Award] really shows the legacy and the impact that she’s made in NCAA gymnastics over these years and especially this year, bringing so many more eyes to our sport and competing with so much joy and authenticity,” said UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald to the Daily Bruin. “Everybody really loves the impact that she’s had on our sport, and that award really is showcasing that.”

Jordan Chiles' NCAA legacy won't just be remembered by her seven medals or her 19 perfect 10s, but also by the pure joy and camaraderie she has brought to the sport while staying true to herself.

While we don't know what the future holds as far as Chiles returning to elite competitions and another Olympic run goes, there is no doubt that her career at UCLA was a perfect 10!

And she will always be That Girl.

Chiles holding the final pose of her 2026 floor routine, courtesy of Andrew Ramiro Diaz, Daily Bruin

Edited by Mithzi Silva