Sydney Barros Growing as a Valuable Member of the UCLA Gymnastics Team
UCLA Gymnast Sydney Barros Steps Up Amidteammates’ Illnesses
In a surprising turn of events, UCLA gymnast Sydney Barros found herself unexpectedly competing during the Bruins’ recent meet against Michigan State on Sunday. Initially planning to watch from the sidelines while recovering from a minor ankle injury, Barros was thrust into the lineup due to the illness of several teammates.
Barros had only participated in two events during the Bruins’ prior competition against Nebraska on January 17, where the team secured a victory. That day, her contributions were limited to the uneven bars and floor exercise.
"When I realized I might have to step up this weekend, I had to mentally put myself in that position really quickly," Barros remarked. "… I made sure I was in the best mental space possible and just trusted my training that I did have."
During the meet against Michigan State, Barros achieved a personal milestone, posting a score of 9.9 on the uneven bars, the second-highest score for the team in that rotation. She followed it with another 9.9 on the floor exercise, finishing in fourth place—both marks representing her career highs.
Her coach, Janelle McDonald, expressed her excitement regarding Barros’ performance, highlighting the confidence and strong execution she demonstrated. "I think it really bodes well and just showed people the type of competitor she is, the type of athlete she is and the type of teammate she is," McDonald stated.
Barros is navigating her collegiate career after recovering from an ACL injury, which had sidelined her from competing in her freshman year. Before Sunday, her only competitive action in 2026 came with a score of 9.800 on the uneven bars during the January 10 quad meet against Oklahoma, Utah, and LSU. McDonald noted that regaining Barros’ confidence took time but indicated that the current season marks a significant turning point for her.
“This whole year has just looked completely different for her,” McDonald said. "She’s fired up, she’s training really hard, she’s training really confidently and aggressively, and we really felt like this could really be her breakout year."
Following the meet, McDonald commended her team for their resilience during a challenging week marked by illness. Despite these setbacks, the Bruins maintained their perfect conference record with a victory over Michigan State, scoring 197.425 to 196.900.
"I think that is a testament to just the resilience this team has and the determination they have to be a really great competitive team, no matter the circumstances," McDonald noted.
The meet required contributions from Barros and several teammates, including Jordis Eichman, Ciena Alipio, and Ashlee Sullivan, who competed in all events for the first time this season, scoring 9.775 on the balance beam. Sullivan expressed her realization of her impact on the team, stating, “It’s really surreal to be a part of such a legacy and to be a valued player on the team.”
As the Bruins continue their season with a 6-2 record, maintaining a flawless performance in the Big Ten Conference, McDonald remains focused on improvement. "Our team’s very hungry," she said. "We still have a lot of room to grow, we still have details that we got to dial in, we still have those moments of confidence that we gotta continue to build."
With aspirations to assemble the best possible lineup for continued success, the Bruins are determined to remain competitive while looking ahead to future challenges.
