BERKELEY – A pair of nationally recognized standouts become the latest gymnasts to boost the Golden Bear roster, with Andi Li (Aurora, Ill.) and Gabby Perea (Geneva, Ill.) signing National Letters of Intent to join Cal women's gymnastics next season.
 
"Both Gabby and Andi are incredibly fierce competitors with a level of difficulty and execution that will help continue to elevate our program," said co-head coach Justin Howell.
 
A three-time Junior Olympic National Team member, Li trains at Legacy Elite and attends Waubonsie Valley High School. She most recently finished as the runner-up in the all-around and on bars at the 2019 JO Championships, adding to third-place beam and floor finishes, and fourth place on vault. Li was the all-around, bars and floor champion at the event in 2018, and claimed silver on beam the same year. In 2017, she was second on beam and third on vault, and in 2016 she took second all-around and on beam.
 
"Her elegant lines and artistry are recognized around the country," said co-head coach Liz Crandall-Howell. "She has the unique combination of artistry and difficulty that makes the most difficult skills look effortless."
 
Li also participated in the prestigious Nastia Liukin Cup in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, winning the event in 2016 and turning in top-three all-around finishes in 2017 (3^rd) and 2018 (2^nd). She has been named to the Region 5 All-Star Team five years in a row, serving as an international ambassador and coaching gymnasts in Scotland, Costa Rica, Montreal, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.
 
"A three-time JO National Team member and Nastia Liukin Cup Champion, Andi has dominated the Junior Olympic rankings in recent years, and we expect her to make an immediate impact as an all-arounder," Howell said.
 
Li's sister, Anna Li, was a standout for UCLA women's gymnastics, while parents Jiani Wu and Yuejiu Li were Olympic Champions in the sport.
 
Perea, who also trains at Legacy Elite, is a three-time USA National Team member and senior international elite. Her international competition experience spans across the globe, claiming first place with Team USA at the City of Jesolo Trophy in 2019, 2017 and 2016. In 2017, Perea also claimed the all-around, vault and bars crowns, while taking second on beam, adding to a 2016 bars title and third-place all-around finish. She won the bars and beam title at the 2017 Gymnix International Junior Cup in Montreal, with second-place finishes on floor and as an all-arounder, and in 2016 Perea was first all-around and claimed a second-place finish on bars.
 
"Gabby has been a US national team member since 2016 and has established herself as one of the best gymnasts in the world on the uneven bars. Cal fans are in for a treat," Howell said.
 
Perea is also a veteran when it comes to competition on the national stage, with numerous appearances at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships (2019), U.S. Classic (2019, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013) and P&G Championships (2017, 2016, 2015). Known for her prowess on the uneven bars, Perea won the event title at the 2016 and 2017 U.S. Classic, as well at the 2016 P&G Championships. She also turned in top-three all-around finishes at the 2016 P&G Championships and U.S. Classic events, with a second-place finish on beam at the 2016 U.S. Classic.
 
"We are incredibly excited to watch Gabby shine on the NCAA stage," Crandall-Howell said. "She is a very dynamic all around gymnast with international lines that cannot be matched."