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Pac-12 Conference

The Conference
of Champions

No. 7 Cal women's gymnastics advances to NCAA Championships for 5th time in program history

by calbears.com
Apr 2, 2023

PITTSBURGH, Penn.- In an absolute whirlwind of events, the No. 7 California gymnastics team took first place at the Pittsburgh Regional with its highest road and postseason score in school history. The Golden Bears tallied a 198.075, which is the highest score by any team in an NCAA Regional Final this season. They now advance to the NCAA Championships for the fifth time in program history.
 
No. 2 Florida (197.800) took second place and will join Cal at Nationals in Fort Worth, Texas from April 13-15. No. 10 Michigan State (197.650) and No. 15 Arizona State (197.475) placed third and fourth, respectively.
 
Cal trailed for the entirety of the meet, but this year's team has made a habit of completely rewriting the record book on a weekly basis. This week was no different as the Bears used that ability to move up in the standings after every rotation until they stood alone at the top following their final event.
 
Individual and team records were broken with this being the first regional win for Cal. The team notched the second-highest scores on beam and floor and on the individual side freshman eMjae Frazier broke the program's all-around record with a 39.750. While there were some incredible, standout performances, what was truly impressive was how consistent the team was. Not a single Bear turned in a routine that was lower than a 9.800, giving them a high floor that complimented their glass ceiling.

As determined earlier in the year, the Bears took on the events in Olympic order and that proved to work in their advantage. They came out of the gate with a strong vault score of 49.275, but found themselves in fourth place after the first rotation. Frazier anchored the lineup and was the only Bear to score a 9.900 as the other five all turned in solid routines of 9.800 or better.

Cal began to pick up steam in the second rotation recording a 49.500 on bars that saw the team jump into third place. This time Cal received three scores of 9.900 or better including yet another 9.950 from Maddie Williams. The sophomore earned a share of the silver medal on the event and would end the meet with a career-high tying 39.625 in the all-around. Frazier scored a 9.925, her highest bars score since March 10, and junior Andi Li added a 9.900.

Heading into the third rotation, the Bears (98.800) trialed both Florida (99.175) and Michigan State (98.900), but luckily the next event was the team's hottest as of late – the balance beam. Every single routine went for a 9.900 or better as the first three Bears captured that score and the last three each earned a 9.950. Frazier, sophomore Mya Lauzon, and junior Gabby Perea all tied for second place and led Cal to a 49.625. The team has now posted the top four beam scores in program history in the last three weeks.

Just like that the Bears moved into second place and made their way to the floor trailing Florida by just 0.05. The final rotation was nearly an identical outcome with all six gymnasts posting a 9.900 or better to capture a 49.625. The first four Bears to go captured a 9.900 followed by Lauzon with a 9.950, and finally Frazier who anchored the lineup with a 9.975 that won her the event. She received two perfect 10's from the four judges.

Cal now has a weekend off before heading to the NCAA Championships from April 13-15 in Fort Worth, Texas.

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