CORVALLIS, Ore.- The closest meet of the 2023 season came Friday night for the No. 7 California gymnastics team (9-0-1, 3-0-1) as the Bears protected their undefeated record with a 197.375-197.375 tie against No. 13 Oregon State (8-3-2, 1-0-2).
 
The meet appeared to end in the Beavers' favor at 197.375-197.350, but a score inquiry on sophomore Mya Lauzon's floor routine from the third rotation bumped her score up from a 9.875 to a 9.900, effectively tying the meet. Oregon State is no stranger to this outcome having had its overall score bumped up last week to tie No. 6 UCLA
 
Cal took home the vault and uneven bars team titles in Gill Coliseum while Oregon State came alive late winning beam and floor. On the individual side, junior Andi Li was the sole Bear to grab a share of an event title tying for first on bars as U.S. Olympian medalist and Beaver, Jade Carey, won all four events and the all-around.
 
Li finished second in the all-around race with a 39.625, which ties the fourth-highest score in program history. Senior Nevaeh DeSouza finished third with a 39.500.
 
The night began with the Bears on bars and got out to a great start with the seventh-highest score in Cal lore at 49.550. Li led the way with a career-high tying 9.975. DeSouza, junior Gabby Perea, and sophomore Maddie Williams all tied for third with a 9.900.
 
Next was the vault where the Bears got a handful on 9.8+ scores to grab a 49.150 that topped the Beavers' 49.075 on that event. Lauzon took second in the event with a 9.875 ad Li and DeSouza both followed in third with a 9.850. Cal would take a 98.700-98.425 lead in the third rotation.
 
Then it was off to the floor routine where Cal was originally given a 49.375 but following the post-meet inquiry locked in a 49.400. Li earned her fourth 9.9+ score in six meets with a 9.925 to take second in the event. Lauzon's final score of 9.900 moved her into a three-way tie for third place with a pair of Beavers. It was her third-straight meet with a 9.900 or better on floor and the fifth of the season. Cal headed to the fourth rotation with a narrow 148.100-147.875 lead.
 
The final rotation of the night was the balance beam, and although the Bears were consistent, they weren't getting the high-scores necessary to seal the meet and give them their 10^th win of the season. With just one routine to go, the Bears were in need of strong, clutch performance as Perea stepped to the beam. The junior rose to the occasion, executing every skill and earning a 9.925 that in the end would save her team's undefeated record.
 
Following Perea's finish  the 2020 Olympic floor exercise champion, Carey, collected a perfect-10 and a 9.950 to earn a 9.975 for her team and push the Beavers into first place for the moment. Before the final scores were tallied, Cal's inquiry would be successful ending the meet in a tie between the two high-powered Pac-12 teams.
 
The Bears will now return home to Haas Pavilion to host No. 6 UCLA this Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. The meet is sure to bring excitement especially with Frazier matching up with her sister, the Bruins' Margzetta Frazier, for the first time in their collegiate careers.