TEMPE, Ariz. – After turning in the second-highest score in school history last week, Cal smashed its own record this week with a new team-high total for the second week in a row, and the highest road score in program history. Cal powered to a 196.900 team total, propelled by a program-record 49.325 on beam.

The Bears defeated Arizona State, who tallied a 194.725 in the loss at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe on Monday night.

“This road score was huge for us. We've been competing well at home but to be able to compete on the road is a challenging thing for any team,” said head coach Justin Howell. “I'm almost more pleased with this outcome than if we had the meet of our life. We had some issues on floor tonight, got through and pulled out a decent floor score, then we got to beam and rocked it. This leaves the door open for more, and I'm most excited for that. We're reaching our potential and I'm glad to say that we have a lot more potential to give. It's exciting to know that if we do put together four events the way we're capable of, we're a very high scoring team.”

Cal's 196.900 is the second-highest total in school history, dropping last week's total of 196.825 to third all-time.

Standout sophomore Toni-Ann Williams' contributions to the record-shattering night included matching her own program-best 39.700 all-around total after sweeping every event title. She scored 2016-best totals on all four events, including a career-high 9.925 on beam after landing her extremely rare and difficult double front dismount.

“Toni's performances were amazing tonight, and it's amazing that she's able to do this week in and week out. Her confidence level is really high right now,” Howell said. “She's really developed into a strong leader on this team as a motivating person out on the floor who's very, very supportive of her teammates. They all feed off of each other, but certainly off of her performances.”

Williams was one of three Bears to chalk up booming performances on the balance beam to help Cal to its 49.325 record total. She earned a career-high 9.925, the second-highest individual score on the event, with strong execution of one of the world's most difficult dismounts.

“Toni's beam routine was special tonight. She's capable of putting together a great beam set, and it's been one of those things that's been on and off. For her to put it all together tonight and do one of the most difficult dismounts in the world, and drill it the way that she did, was a fun thing to see,” Howell said.

Freshman Sofie Seilnacht, who has been rock solid as the Bears' leadoff beam performer this season, earned a career-high 9.85 to start Cal off on the event. Junior Desiree Palomares contributed a season-high 9.875 on the effort, and juniors Jessica Howe (9.85) and Zoe Draghi (9.825) also scored above the 9.80 mark.

“Beam was amazing tonight, and our performances solidified what we're capable of. We practice and train beam really well. We are a strong beam team,” Howell said. “I believe we have some of the best beam choreography. Our brand of gymnastics is unique, artistic gymnastics, and I think they really showed everybody that tonight.”

Cal's stellar beam rotation came after a somewhat disappointing floor performance in which the Bears did not outscore their opponent for the first time all season. The Sun Devils won floor with a 49.200, besting the Bears' 49.175. Palomares (9.675) and Williams (9.95) turned in season-highs on the event, but the total was not close to Cal's potential on the event and was more than a tenth of a point lower than the team's season-high.

Draghi, who has battled a sore back and back spasms all week, impressed her coaches and teammates after fighting through for a 9.875.

“I'm so proud of the way she stepped up and put that pain aside for the team,” Howell said. “She's turning into a strong leader and it's been fun to witness that.”

Cal got off to a fast start in its first two events to lead Arizona State 98.400-97.175 halfway through the meet.

Earlier in the season, the Bears were plagued by slow starts on bars in their first three meets of the season, failing to score above a 49.0 on the event until their fourth meet of the season. This time around, Cal showed no signs of a slow start after opening the meet on bars. Instead, the Bears logged a season-best 49.200 on the event.

Junior Emily Richardson started the Bears off with her season-high 9.775 for the fourth consecutive meet, and junior Jessica Howe took second on bars with a career-best 9.875, a jump from her previous best of 9.85. In the middle of the lineup, an early release caused sophomore Alicia Gallarzo to fall on her landing. Instead of letting the mistake define the rest of the event, Williams helped the Bears rebound with a 2016-high 9.90 to take the title. Sophomore Yuleen Sternberg (9.825) anchored the event with yet another season-high total for the Bears.

Cal padded its lead with another 49.200 score on vault, even with another Bear facing adversity in the lineup. Though freshman Sylvie Seilnacht was sick, she delivered a 9.825 for her teammates.

“To know going in that we had two gymnasts who were facing issues get over it and deliver for the team, I was very proud of them for that,” Howell said.

Gallarzo, who has steadily improved over the last few weeks, logged a career-best 9.875, and sophomore Arianna Robinson matched a season-high 9.825. Williams was rewarded for her well-executed Yurchenko layout 1.5 with a season-high 9.925.

NEXT UP

The Bears look to solidify their standings when the first Regional Qualifying Scores of the season are released with a strong outing at Oregon State on Saturday. Meet time is set for 2 p.m. from Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Ore.

NEWS & NOTES

• Cal's 196.900 is the highest road score in school history, and second-highest team score in school history.
• The Bears logged a program-record 49.325 on balance beam, besting the previous record of 49.300 at Utah State on March 6, 2004.
• Toni-Ann Williams matched her program-record 39.700 in the all-around. She also tallied a 39.700 on Feb. 13, 2015.

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