Chae Campbell’s impact goes far beyond her all-around scores or the number of medals she’s won. She is the epitome of a true student-athlete—skilled, focused, and grounded in values that transcend sport
Her respect for John Wooden’s teachings, combined with her fierce competitive drive, paints the portrait of a gymnast who not only performs but inspires.
As the UCLA Bruins head into the NCAA Gymnastics Championships, they do so with the confidence of a team that has found its rhythm—and with a leader who has truly mastered the art of competitive greatness.
Chae Campbell’s story is not just one of trophies and titles—it’s about transformation, teamwork, and the impact one athlete can have on an entire program.
From junior vault champion to Scholastic All-American, she has carved out a legacy marked by resilience, humility, and a steadfast commitment to the team.
In reflecting on her responsibilities, Campbell demonstrates that true greatness isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about how you lift others as you climb. And as her journey continues, one thing is certain: the best is yet to come.
Also Read: Tyler1 Explodes at Macaiyla Over 2024 Olympics Drama: Fans in Shock and New Born
Table of Contents
Chae Campbell Reflects on UCLA’s Path to Nationals
UCLA Bruins gymnast Chae Campbell recently opened up about her team’s outstanding performance in the NCAA Regional Final, which earned them a spot in the NCAA Gymnastics Championships.1
The team, currently ranked No. 5 nationally, finished second in the final round and will now prepare to compete at the highest level of collegiate gymnastics.
The Bruins delivered a remarkable collective effort during the regional final, showcasing strength, precision, and artistic excellence across all events. While every gymnast played a pivotal role, it was Chae Campbell’s dynamic and composed routine that added significant momentum to the team’s score.
Her versatility and consistent performance across all four events helped solidify UCLA’s place in the championship lineup.
Merry Christmas Eve! 🎄
— Chae Campbell (@chae_2001) December 25, 2016
A Season Marked by Resilience and Growth
This year has been a journey of highs and challenges for the Bruins. The road to the regional final was not without adversity, including injuries and performance fluctuations.
However, the team consistently leaned on each other and responded with maturity. Chae Campbell’s leadership—on and off the floor—was central to that resilience.
Her individual improvement in events like bars and beam also speaks volumes about her commitment to growth and helping the team reach new heights.
While Campbell is a standout, the Bruins’ success is truly a team effort. Other gymnasts delivered standout routines throughout the regionals, helping the team finish just behind the top spot. Their depth and consistency across all events make them a formidable opponent for any team heading into nationals.
The team’s dynamic combination of powerful vaults, graceful beam work, and expressive floor routines is a testament to their well-rounded training program and competitive mindset.
Chae Campbell’s All-Around Brilliance
Chae Campbell, a graduate student and eight-time All-American, showcased her all-around prowess with a total score of 39.550.2
Her individual scores were equally impressive:
-
Floor Exercise: 9.900
-
Vault: 9.925
-
Beam: 9.875
-
Bars: 9.850
Each performance was a testament to her technical discipline and mental resilience under pressure, ultimately securing her the second-place finish in the all-around competition.
The 2025 AAI Award Nominee Shines Bright
As a nominee for the prestigious 2025 AAI Award, which honors the top senior gymnast in NCAA women’s gymnastics, Campbell has proven that her leadership and competitive edge are invaluable.
Her performances this season reflect a seasoned athlete who not only performs but also inspires those around her.
The award is often seen as the Heisman Trophy of women’s gymnastics, and Campbell’s name on that list is no surprise to fans and analysts alike.
Embracing the Pyramid of Success
In her post-meet reflections, Campbell highlighted her motivation behind the scenes: the Pyramid of Success. Originally created by legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, the pyramid outlines building blocks necessary for achieving competitive greatness. Campbell revealed:
“A big theme of the John Wooden Pyramid at UCLA and at the top is competitive greatness. That’s what I kept telling myself. We are that team that can make it to nationals, and if we’re going to be competing with the best of the best, we have to show that we are competitively great.”
Her words reflect a deep understanding and application of Wooden’s timeless principles—not just in basketball, but across all competitive sports at UCLA.
John Wooden’s influence at UCLA is legendary. The Hall of Fame coach crafted the Pyramid of Success in 1948 to instill the importance of character, discipline, and teamwork. With ten NCAA championships under his belt as head coach of UCLA basketball, Wooden’s philosophy transcends generations.
Campbell’s recognition of Wooden’s ideology emphasizes how his teachings continue to influence athletes beyond the hardwood. Gymnasts like Campbell are now drawing from the same values to fuel their success in modern NCAA athletics.
Fort Worth Bound: NCAA Championships Await
With their second-place finish, UCLA has punched its ticket to the 2025 NCAA Gymnastics Championships, scheduled for April 17–19 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
This will be the final stage where the best collegiate teams in the country will compete for the ultimate prize. The Bruins, boasting a strong combination of veteran leadership and emerging talent, are well-positioned for a deep run at nationals.
Campbell’s maturity as a graduate student and experienced competitor brings critical leadership to the UCLA squad. She has been a reliable figure throughout her career, and her presence is calming yet motivating for her teammates.
As a veteran, she knows what it takes to thrive under championship pressure, and that wisdom could be the difference-maker in Fort Worth.
Chae Campbell: Legacy
Bruins Gymnastics on the Rise
With a strong showing in regionals and a highly respected leader like Campbell at the helm, the UCLA Bruins are building a legacy of their own in the world of collegiate gymnastics.3
Their recent performances are indicative of a team that is focused, well-coached, and ready to take on any challenge.
As the program continues to climb in national relevance, more gymnasts are beginning to see UCLA as a destination for competitive excellence and personal development.
The NCAA Gymnastics Championships are more than just a competition—they represent the pinnacle of collegiate gymnastics.
For graduating athletes like Chae Campbell, this will be one of the last opportunities to leave a mark on the program.
strong finish at nationals could solidify her legacy among UCLA’s greats and serve as a springboard for potential future endeavors, whether in coaching, performance, or sports leadership.
Competitive Greatness in Action
Campbell’s nod to John Wooden’s “Competitive Greatness” isn’t just a philosophical mention—it’s a daily practice.
Whether it’s a difficult floor pass, a last-minute beam adjustment, or rallying the team after a shaky routine, she embodies the core values of grit, determination, and excellence.
That’s the kind of intangible strength that sets championship teams apart from the rest. And that’s exactly the energy UCLA is carrying into the championship round.
As Campbell prepares for what could be her final meet in NCAA competition, there’s no doubt she will leave it all on the mat. Her performance at regionals already spoke volumes, but her heart, leadership, and drive will be just as important in Fort Worth.
If the Bruins can replicate or improve upon their regional performances, they could very well find themselves in the championship spotlight—and Chae Campbell will have played a massive role in making that dream a reality.
Also Read: Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Teases Athlos NYC After Paris Olympics Attracts Millions
Chae Campbell’s Gymnastics Journey
From Solo Stardom to Team Synergy
Gymnastics, for most of its early stages, is a deeply individualistic sport. Athletes train relentlessly to perfect their routines, polish their techniques, and build a reputation based on personal achievements.
For UCLA gymnast Chae Campbell, this was very much the foundation of her early athletic journey. However, stepping into the world of collegiate gymnastics, she quickly realized the dynamics shift dramatically.
Now, the focus is not just on what she can accomplish for herself, but also what she can contribute to the team.
In an interview with UCLA Athletics in March 2025, Campbell touched on this evolution, saying, “I think being on the team—like being a gymnast growing up in the sport—it’s very individual. And so when you get to college it’s a different atmosphere of having to do things for yourself but also for the benefit of the team.”
A Decorated Athlete with a Team-First Mentality
Chae Campbell has been a force to reckon with from a young age. She was crowned the U.S. junior vault champion in 2016, which instantly positioned her as one of the top young talents in American gymnastics.
Her accolades didn’t stop there. Fast forward to 2021, she was named the Pac-12 Freshman/Newcomer of the Year and became the Pac-12 Floor Exercise co-champion, further establishing her as a high-performing athlete in a league brimming with talent.
While these titles underscore her individual brilliance, Campbell’s mindset reflects a more nuanced and mature perspective—she understands that the sum of the team is greater than its parts.
It’s not just about scoring a perfect 10; it’s about how that score impacts the team’s momentum, spirit, and overall performance.
Growth Through Responsibility
The transition from an individual athlete to a team player is not without its challenges. For Campbell, this transformation meant reassessing her routines both inside and outside the gym.
It wasn’t just about perfecting her landings or maintaining peak physical condition. It also meant adopting habits, making decisions, and setting examples that inspire and uplift her teammates.
She shared, “So what can I do inside and outside the gym to make sure that I’m at my best so that I can compete well for the team?” This question reflects a deep sense of ownership—not only for her own performance but for the collective goals of the team.
Excellence in the Classroom and the Gym
Campbell’s commitment to excellence doesn’t end on the mat. In 2023, she was honored as a WCGA Scholastic All-American, highlighting her academic achievements alongside her athletic prowess.
The ability to maintain such high standards across multiple areas is a testament to her discipline, focus, and time management—qualities that are essential not only in gymnastics but in life.
Being a student-athlete at a prestigious institution like UCLA comes with immense pressure. However, Campbell has managed to balance her demanding schedule while still keeping her eyes on both individual and team success.
Her recognition as a Scholastic All-American only adds another layer to her impressive resume, showcasing the kind of well-rounded leader she is becoming.
Chae Campbell: The Emotional Side of Team Dynamics
Gymnastics can be intensely emotional—especially when the pressure to perform collides with the drive to support your teammates.
In college gymnastics, team scores are critical, and one misstep can alter the course of an entire meet. This high-stakes environment requires not just physical resilience but emotional intelligence as well.
Campbell has grown into a calming and motivational presence on the team. Her ability to lift others up, celebrate their successes, and empathize with their setbacks has made her a valuable teammate.
These qualities cannot be measured by medals or scores, but they are crucial for building the kind of trust and unity that leads to championships.
Embracing Leadership Through Experience
As Campbell continues her collegiate journey, she’s gradually stepping into a leadership role—whether she consciously intends to or not.
Younger gymnasts look up to her not just for her skills, but for the way she handles herself in every situation. This natural progression into mentorship is a powerful part of her development, and one that she appears to embrace with humility and grace.
Leadership, after all, isn’t just about giving advice or leading warmups. It’s about showing up consistently, giving your best effort, and demonstrating how to bounce back from setbacks.
Through her journey, Campbell has embodied all of these qualities, setting a high bar for those who will follow in her footsteps.
View this post on Instagram
The Power of Purpose and Self-Awareness
What sets Campbell apart isn’t just her talent—it’s her clarity of purpose. Many athletes struggle to balance the demands of competition with the broader values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and self-growth.
But Campbell appears to have a grounded sense of what truly matters.
She knows that winning titles is important, but so is showing up for her teammates, pushing through adversity, and setting a good example for future Bruins.
Her ability to reflect deeply on her role and responsibilities is what makes her stand out, even in a sea of gifted athletes.
Goals Beyond the Gym
- While Chae Campbell continues to make waves in the gymnastics world, her future is undoubtedly bright beyond the mat as well.
- Her academic honors suggest that she’s preparing herself for a multifaceted career, one that could include coaching, mentoring, or even roles outside of sports entirely.
- Her maturity, insight, and dedication position her as a future leader, not just in gymnastics but in whatever field she chooses to pursue.
- If she brings the same level of passion and responsibility to those future endeavors, success will be inevitable.
- In an age where athletes are often defined by social media metrics and highlight reels, Campbell offers something different—substance.
- Her journey offers valuable lessons to young athletes everywhere: that success is multi-dimensional, that leadership is earned through consistent action, and that personal goals don’t have to come at the expense of team success.
- By sharing her insights so candidly, Campbell helps redefine what it means to be a successful student-athlete. She reminds us that growth often comes from learning how to shift focus from “me” to “we.”
Also Read: Mikaela Shiffrin Commends Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Historic Achievement at Paris 2024 Olympics
