LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 11: Jordan Chiles of the UCLA Bruins poses with a perfect 10 score after she scored a 10 on floor exercise against the Arizona State Sun Devils at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on February 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
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When UCLA senior Jordan Chiles earned her first perfect ten on vault last weekend, she didn’t just achieve perfection: she took the penultimate step preceding one of NCAA Gymnastics’ most exclusive honors.
Jordan Chiles is one ‘perfect ten’ away from achieving a ‘Gym Slam’: a personal-best of 10.0 on all four women’s gymnastics events. As of her victorious meet from Saturday, Chiles has achieved a 10.0 in every event but the balance beam.
NCAA Gymnastics’ Elite Club
The Gym Slam represents a golden standard of excellence in college gymnastics, belonging to only the sport’s most iconic names. In the discipline’s five-plus decades as an intercollegiate sport, only 15 athletes have achieved the elusive accomplishment.
Among them are Olympic medalists Jade Carey, Kyla Ross, Bridget Sloan, and Courtney Kupets. Former Florida Gator gymnast Trinity Thomas holds the record for the most Gym Slams, with a staggering five during her NCAA career.
Achieving a perfect score on all four events is an honor reserved for the most well-rounded of college gymnasts: the all-around leaders. Thus, the accolade often shares a trophy case with individual conference and NCAA all-around titles.
Jordan Chiles seeks both this year, having previously finished second in both the Big Ten and NCAA all-around rankings. If Chiles can execute ‘perfection’ on beam, the two-time Olympian will find her name among familiar teammates and elite gymnastics competitors.
Moving forward, all eyes will be on the balance beam.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – FEBRUARY 7: Jordan Chiles of the UCLA Bruins competes on the balance beam during a gymnastics meet against the Washington Huskies at Alaska Airlines Arena on February 7, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
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Ironically, Chiles nearly achieved the ‘slam’ at Saturday’s dual meet versus Nebraska. After posting a 10.0 on vault and 9.90 on uneven bars, Chiles earned a near-perfect 9.975 on the balance beam, receiving a 10.0 from one judge, a 9.95 from the other.
Chiles continues to flirt with perfection on the event: Saturday’s score marked her second 9.975 in three weeks of competition. Though her strong scores helped UCLA to a dominant win over Big Ten foe Nebraska, the Bruins will face a loftier test in week four of NCAA competition.
On Sunday, January 25, Chiles and No. 5 UCLA will travel to East Lansing, MI, to take on conference rival Michigan State. The two programs battled to the wire twice in 2025, with UCLA narrowly defeating the Spartans in both meetings.
Though Head Coach Mike Rowe’s team has looked shaky to start 2026, the preseason No. 7 Spartans could find renewed energy in their first home meet of the season. Slated to occur in MSU’s Breslin Center (a major upgrade from the program’s typical fieldhouse venue), the Big Ten clash will be a week four highlight.
Fans can watch Jordan Chiles chase her Gym Slam this weekend. No. 5 UCLA at No. 21 Michigan State will be broadcast live on FOX at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolineprice/2026/01/19/jordan-chiles-is-on-the-verge-of-achieving-a-rare-gymnastics-milestone/
