Bears Post Season High Score In Win Over Air Force
BERKELEY – Cal posted a season-high team score and registered nine individual personal bests as the 11th-ranked Golden Bears defeated No. 14 Air Force, 389.700-380.550, in a virtual meet Saturday afternoon.
Cal's team total topped its previous high of 387.200 set against Springfield College on Feb. 17.
"I thought we had a great overall showing from our team with phenomenal consistency," head coach JT Okada said. "I'm really proud of them. I told the team we needed a fast start, and they rose to that challenge. We had a great start and a great finish."
The Bears built a nearly three-point advantage after the opening floor routine behind Yu-Chen Lee, who paced the squad in the event for the sixth time in seven meets this year with a 13.350 score.
On pommel horse, Cal recorded its second-best total of the year with a 65.150, which was only 0.050 points shy of its season high. Freshman Noah Newfeld had the first of his three PRs with a 13.400, while Will Lavanakul led the Bears with a closing routine of 13.850.
While Air Force edged Cal on rings, the Bears followed with a season-best effort on vault with a 69.950 total. Jelani Sweet had his highest mark of the year (13.850) by more than half a point, while Kyle Abe had a season-best 13.950 and Caleb Rickard paced the squad at 14.250.
Cal increased its advantage by another point in the team standings on parallel bars, then closed out the meet with a season-best 64.000 on high bar. Newfeld had another PR effort with a score of 13.200, while Rickard completed the rotation with a season-high 13.300.
Newfeld's third career best - and his top mark of the season - came on parallel bars (13.550).
Cal returns to action next Saturday, March 20 when it hosts No. 1 Oklahoma at Haas Pavilion. Due to local public health guidelines, fans are not permitted at home events.