UCLA’s Sumanasekera and Matthews embracing college gymnastics
LOS ANGELES — The elite-to-college gymnastics transition is easier said than done. Tiana Sumanasekera and Nola Matthews are learning the adjustment firsthand just a week and a half into the NCAA season.
The freshmen competing in the heart of lineups for No. 1 UCLA gymnastics – which earned the top ranking after a rare week-one quad meet in Seattle with a 196.975 overall score – have had to switch their focus to precision and vying for perfection.
As Matthews, who competed in three events last week, said earlier this week, in elite gymnastics, the priority is on making it through your routines, getting the most out of her skill set. Now, the freshman who earned two individual golds (floor exercise and uneven bars) for the U.S. at the 2025 Varna World Challenge Cup in May, says her attention has turned to “intentionality at every turn.”
Sumanasekera, who scored a 9.8 or higher on vault, floor and beam last week, concurred with her U.S.-turned-Bruin teammate.
“It’s more stressful on yourself, and you really just want to perfect all these little things because, getting those 10s, 9.95s, whatever it is, for the team and for yourself,” Sumanasekera said.
Suamanasekera didn’t have to wait long to work toward a 9.95, at the very least. On Saturday, the 18-year-old from Pleasanton was moved to tears as she swiftly moved through her balance beam routine. Scoring the second-best score among the Bruins – indeed, a 9.95, just below star senior Jordan Chiles’ 9.975 – Sumanasekera embraced sophomore Mika Webster-Longin as assistant coach Lacy Dagen held her arms out for a hug next.
The 49.525 the Bruins recorded on beam turned out to be not just their best rotation of the night, capping off a victorious season-opening meet, but their highest score in UCLA’s first meet of the season since 2004, when Kate Richardson and Jeanette Antolin led the way in Westwood.
“It was really cool to see right out of the gate that they were able to go up there and compete so confidently, and the scores obviously reflected that,” UCLA coach Janelle McDonald said. “And so, you know, I think it bodes well for us. I think it was a fantastic way to finish up that competition.”
That team reaction, which Sumanasekera – who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week – felt, is something Matthews had noticed as the primary difference in her transition to the college ranks.
“It’s so incredible to be a part of a team and to be competing for people that I love and adore so much,” said Matthews, who recorded a 9.85 on beam to add to UCLA’s lofty early-season score. “It’s been such an interesting transition too, because I was training alone for so many years. So getting to train alongside people and all working for the same goal has been really motivating and just a lot of fun.”
Part of that UCLA experience for Matthews has been the emphasis on performance, getting to sculpt her floor routine choreography with longtime UCLA assistant BJ Das – who over the years has become nationally known for her viral touch. She has taken inspiration from former UCLA gymnast Gracie Kramer and current teammate Katelyn Rosen, who have leaned into “creepy,” routines, Matthews said.
Matthews debuted her floor routine last week in Seattle, including music from the video game and television show, “The Last of Us,” and Lady Gaga.
“I don’t even know how she managed to combine the two, but she did, and it’s incredible,” Matthews said of Das.
Next up for UCLA is a trip to another neutral-site podium meet – this time against potential Four on the Floor competition: LSU, Oklahoma and Utah at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah.
Oklahoma is the defending national champion, while Utah and LSU finished fourth and fifth respectively, in 2025. For the trio of foes, it’ll be their first meet of the season.
“We really want to prepare them to be ready to compete for the national championship,” McDonald said. “And so, in that regard, you know, the expectation is always high.”
Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad
Who: No. 1 UCLA, Oklahoma, Utah, LSU
When: 1 p.m. PT Saturday
Where: Maverik Center, West Valley City, Utah
TV: ABC (Ch. 7)