Rickard Sets School Record, Earns All-America Honors

MINNEAPOLIS - Caleb Rickard put a bow on the 2021 season for the California men's gymnastics team, setting a school record and earning All-America honors with his vault score at the finals of the NCAA Championships Saturday night at Maturi Pavilion on the University of Minnesota campus. 

Rickard scored a 14.666 on vault, topping his previous career high and school-record mark of 14.650, which he posted twice this season. Rickard tied for fifth overall in the competition. He now owns three of Cal's top four vault scores in program history. This is the first All-America honor of his career. 

"He did amazing," head coach JT Okada said. "He had to nail it, had to stick it in order to be in the hunt, and he sure did. He set a goal to be an All-American with that specific vault routine, and he made a plan, executed and fulfilled a goal of his. Being an All-American is so difficult in a pool of about 50 gymnasts who competed in that event today. To be in the top eight is amazing. He's one of our best, and we're not done yet with him. We have him for another year, and he plans to keep upgrading."

Yu-Chen Lee and the CGA Rookie of the Year Noah Newfeld were also in action on Saturday. Lee finished 24th on floor, notching a season-high 14.133. Newfeld competed on high bar, finishing 43rd (11.566). Rickard also competed on high bar, tying for 38th (12.200).  

"This was the first NCAAs for both Miles and Noah," Okada said. "I was really glad to see them get this experience, not only competing at NCAAs but also in the finals. For both of them, the experience gained this weekend will be really valuable going forward. This is a young team. This experience should really motivate our guys to reach new heights next season."