BERKELEY – California men's gymnastics has announced the signing of six all-arounders from across the country who will join the Golden Bears as freshmen in the 2024 season.
 
"I want to include people from different walks of life on this team," head coach J.T. Okada said. "It brings me joy that these young men are willing to expose themselves to different cultures and ideas, and they bring their own experiences with them. It's very gratifying and creates a better experience overall – the local guys get to meet people from across the world and become brothers at the end of the day."
 
Ari Bekker – West Bloomfield, Mich.
Bekker, a West Bloomfield High School product, currently competes with the Michigan Academy of Gymnastics. His achievements to date include a high bar title at the 2021 Men's Dev Finals, a Region 5 runner-up finish in 2018 and both a Region 5 high bar win and state championship in 2017 that earned him a spot at Nationals that year.
 
"Ari is an extreme talent," Okada said. "He's somebody who can do very difficult skills – we're super excited about him because he can be a real asset and turn some heads when he starts putting together these college sets."
 
Bekker intends to study sociology at Cal with the aim of working toward a career in finance.
 
Carter Kim – Frisco, Texas
Kim comes to Cal out of Wakeland High School with a strong scholarly background, having earned USA Gymnastics Academic All-American status in each of the past four years. His gymnastics record speaks for itself – while training at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy, Kim has qualified for Nationals every year from 2020-23. In 2021, he finished in an impressive fifth place in the all-around, bolstered by a second-place parallel bars routine and a fourth-place vault score.
 
"Carter is one of the most well-rounded gymnasts that we're bringing in," Okada said. "He's already college-level in more than a few events. We're intrigued to see the ways in which he can make an immediate impact on our team."
 
Kim will study biology and pre-med at Cal, which will aid him toward his goal of becoming a CRNA (nurse anesthesiologist).
 
Harry Kim – Rowland Heights, Calif.
Kim, who hails from Diamond Bar High School and trains at Eric Will Gymnastics Center, earned All-Star status in both 2022 and 2023. He competed at Nationals in 2022, taking fourth on parallel bars, after finishing second in the all-around at the South Conference Championship.
 
"Harry brings a very high-level pommel horse routine to our squad, which will help to build upon what has become a strong event for us," Okada said. "He also shows great potential to develop in the other events."
 
Kim will major in neurobiology at Cal with the aim of becoming an anesthesiologist and physician.
 
Jaxon Mitchell – Kyle, Texas
Mitchell, an Academic All-American out of American High School, brings a wealth of high-level championship experience to the Bears. While competing at Enrich Gymnastics and Dance Academy, he helped lead his team to Texas state championship titles each of the past two years, with an additional Region 3 championship in 2022. As an individual, he won the all-around and the rings at the 2022 Texas State Championships, followed by Region 3 titles on rings and parallel bars in 2023.
 
"Jaxon is a powerhouse – he has very impressive strength, particularly on rings," Okada said. "He has skills of note that help him stand out from the pack of junior gymnasts. We're excited for him to bring that power to our squad."
 
Mitchell plans to attend veterinary school after studying chemical biology at Cal.
 
Brendan Strom – Simi Valley, Calif.
Strom, a two-time Academic All-American and 2020 President's Honor Roll member from Crespi Carmelite High School, posted five top-four finishes at the 2022 National Championships, including a title on parallel bars and runner-up scores on high bar and in the all-around. With Strom on the roster, the Gymnastics Olympica USA club team earned the Iron Man Award (aka "Club of the Year") from the Southern California Men's Gymnastics Association (SCMGA) each of the past two years. He earned six top-four finishes at the 2021 SoCal State Championships with a win on parallel bars.
 
"Brendan comes from the same gym as two current Bears (senior Noah Sano and freshman Levon Chalikyan), so he'll already feel somewhat comfortable on this roster, which will be a huge asset," Okada said. "I could see him becoming a very strong gymnast in just about every event."
 
Strom will study nutritional sciences at Cal and aim toward a career in sports medicine.
 
Tucker Yasunaga – Champaign, Ill.
Yasunaga, a multi-sport athlete and National Honors Society member from Judah Christian High School, is the reigning Illinois all-around and high bar State Champion, the former of which he also won in 2021. This past season, while training at Champaign Gymnastics Academy, he won titles in the all-around, parallel bars and high bar at the Region 5 meet. He also made the Junior Elite Team each year from 2019-23. As a baseball player, Yasunaga was named All-Area Honorable Mention in 2022; as a golfer, he helped Judah Christian to Sectionals in 2021 and 2022.
 
"Tucker is very well-rounded – he can definitely do a little bit of everything," Okada said. "We're particularly impressed with his parallel bars, his high bar and his floor skills. He'll come in college-ready on a few routines."
 
Yasunaga plans to study sociology at Cal, with the goal of entering the coaching field.
 
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