Bears Picked Third In Preseason Pac-12 Poll

SAN FRANCISCO - California women's gymnastics was selected third in the Pac-12 Conference by a poll of the league's coaches announced Thursday.
 
The Bears have been selected third in five consecutive polls and received 40 points in the 2022 preseason edition. This is tied for the highest Cal has ever been selected in the preseason poll. The Bears have totaled more points in each successive season, with their 40 points bettering last year's total of 39.  
 
Cal finished the voting eight points behind defending Pac-12 Champion Utah (48) and one point behind UCLA (41), who Cal defeated three times in head-to-head meets during the 2021 season. Arizona State (30), Oregon State (26), Arizona (17), Stanford (14) and Washington (21) were chosen to finish after the Bears.
 
Last season, the Bears had their highest-ever finish at the Pac-12 Championship as they took second place and recorded their best-ever score at the championship with a 197.375, one of 11 consecutive scores over 197 that the Bears recorded last year. The Bears went on to finish the regular season ranked fifth in the country and took seventh place at the NCAA Championship, both of which were program bests.
 
In 2022, Cal will return 23 of the 24 routines that competed at the NCAA Championships. The Bears return uneven bars NCAA Champion Maya Bordas as well as AAI Award Finalist and Pac-12 Champion Kyana George. Neveah DeSouza was a three-time All-American while Andi Li and Nina Schank were both All-Americans on the uneven bars. The Bears also add a talented freshmen class of Ella Cesario, Jordan Kane, Mya Lauzon, Abbey Scanlon and Madelyn Williams.
 
Cal will start the 2022 campaign on January 8 at the Collegiate Challenge. Cal will face off with five Pac-12 opponents at the Anaheim Arena.
 
PRESEASON PAC-12 COACHES POLL
Utah - 48 (6 first-place votes)
UCLA - 41 (2 first-place votes)
California - 40
Arizona State - 30
Oregon State - 26
Arizona - 17
Stanford - 14
Washington - 8 
 
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