University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Sydney Barros
Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Barros Selected College Gym News Comeback Gymnast of Year
April 27, 2026 | Gymnastics
UCLA junior Sydney Barros was selected the College Gym News Comeback Gymnast of the Year for 2026.ย
Barros sat out her freshman season in 2024 after undergoing knee surgery and competed just one time on uneven bars in 2025 while still recovering. She made a huge splash in 2026 while getting her first real taste of competition, competing on three events in 11 meets and becoming the Big Ten uneven bars co-champion. She ranked fifth on the team in total points with 354.7375. A total of 32 of Barros' 36 routines in 2026 scored 9.800 or higher, and 12 scored 9.900 or higher, including her career-high 9.950 on bars that won her the Big Ten title. She averaged 9.865 on balance beam, 9.857 on uneven bars and 9.841 on floor exercise, and her career-highs were 9.950 on bars and 9.900 on beam and floor.
Barros was the all-around champion at the 2023 Puerto Rican National Championships and placed eighth in the all-around at the 2023 Pan American Championships, qualifying to the World Championships. She was unable to compete at Worlds, however, after suffering a knee injury at the Central American Games. Barros was also a three-time U.S. National Team member who helped the U.S. win bronze at the 2019 Junior World Championships, where she also placed fifth in the all-around and on vault.ย
Barros sat out her freshman season in 2024 after undergoing knee surgery and competed just one time on uneven bars in 2025 while still recovering. She made a huge splash in 2026 while getting her first real taste of competition, competing on three events in 11 meets and becoming the Big Ten uneven bars co-champion. She ranked fifth on the team in total points with 354.7375. A total of 32 of Barros' 36 routines in 2026 scored 9.800 or higher, and 12 scored 9.900 or higher, including her career-high 9.950 on bars that won her the Big Ten title. She averaged 9.865 on balance beam, 9.857 on uneven bars and 9.841 on floor exercise, and her career-highs were 9.950 on bars and 9.900 on beam and floor.
Barros was the all-around champion at the 2023 Puerto Rican National Championships and placed eighth in the all-around at the 2023 Pan American Championships, qualifying to the World Championships. She was unable to compete at Worlds, however, after suffering a knee injury at the Central American Games. Barros was also a three-time U.S. National Team member who helped the U.S. win bronze at the 2019 Junior World Championships, where she also placed fifth in the all-around and on vault.ย
Players Mentioned
/ Gymnastics
Jordan Chiles - 2026 NCAA Floor Exercise Champion
Thursday, April 23
UCLA Gymnastics - Bruin Magic - Season 2, Ep. 1
Saturday, April 11
Bruin Magic - Season 2, Ep. 1
Saturday, April 11
Katelyn Rosen - Beam (April 5, 2026)
Tuesday, April 07