Record-Breaking Day in Haas
Peter Fukumae

Record-Breaking Day in Haas

No. 7 Bears Break Scoring Record, Lauzon Earns Program’s First 10 On Beam

BERKELEY – The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind for the No. 7 California women's gymnastics team. After breaking the program scoring record and balance beam record on Friday, the Golden Bears decided to top those two marks again Sunday afternoon as they took first place in their final regular season meet. If that weren't enough, sophomore Mya Lauzon earned the first perfect 10 on beam in school history.
 
Friday night saw Cal post a 198.100, which was the program's second 198+ score ever, and paired it with the highest beam score at 49.600. On Saturday, the team received news that for the second-straight year, it had earned a share of the Pac-12 regular season title. Clearly the Bears were dissatisfied with their Friday numbers as they tallied a 198.275 and notched a 49.825 on beam in today's senior day meet. That event mark goes down as the second highest in NCAA history and the best since 2003.
 
The Sunday quad meet featured No. 29 Arizona (196.525), UC Davis (196.425), and Sacramento State (194.87).  
 
When the dust settled on the historic contest, Cal found itself with at least a share of three event titles and the all-around crown. Sophomore Madelyn Williams and junior Andi Li tied for the AA title with a 39.625 that ties for fourth place in Bear lore.
 
The Bears took on the events in Olympic order and came out with a 49.225 on vault that tied for the best score in the meet. Leading Cal was freshman Casey Brown who notched a career-high 9.900 to earn second place in the event. Although it wasn't the first rotation the Bears were hoping for, it was a consistent effort that saw three scores of 9.825 and a 9.850.
 
Tied with the Aggies after the first rotation, Cal began to make the case for another historic night with a 49.650 on bars that tied the second-highest mark in the record book. Li and Williams turned in their usual 9.975 and 9.950, respectively, but it was junior Gabby Perea who made a splash with a career-high 9.975. Both she and Li earned a 10 from one judge as they bolstered their team's score and tied for first place. Freshman eMjae Frazier earned a 9.900, and senior Nevaeh DeSouza captured a 9.850 on her final bars routine in Haas Pavilion.
 
Then it was on to beam, where just over a week ago the team turned in a season-low 49.025 but were able to quickly right the ship Friday night with a record-breaking 49.600. The Bears decided to take it a step further Sunday afternoon with an outstanding 49.825 that featured six scores of 9.925 or better. DeSouza led off with her final home beam routine and made the most of it. She received one 10 in her career-high 9.975 performance, that tied a record set by Lauzon Friday night. Perea tied that mark as the anchor of the lineup as well, but the record did not stand for very long.
 
When Lauzon mounted the beam, there was a special energy in the air. As she converted each skill and huge triple-series, her teammates began to feel what was coming. Her dismount saw her land with both feet planted and quickly click her heels together. Chants of "10" began to fill the arena. The score cards turned to reveal a pair of 10's making Lauzon the first Bear to execute a perfect beam routine.
 
After three rotations Cal held a 148.700 so the chance at further rewriting the record book was well within reach. It would come down to the floor routine.
 
DeSouza once again found herself in the lead-off spot and in her final floor routine at Haas recorded a season-high 9.900. Williams followed with a 9.925 and Li added a solid 9.875 to keep the Bears' hopes alive. Who else but Lauzon would answer the call with an event-winning 9.950 to turn her team's dreams into reality. Frazier anchored with a 9.925 to tie Williams for second place and give Cal its 198.275.
 
The Bears are the first team to notch two scores of 198+ in 48 hours during the regular season.
 
With the regular season completed, Cal now looks on to the Pac-12 Championships in West Valley City, Utah. The team will likely compete in the evening session on Saturday, March 18.
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