May 30, 2002
BERKELEY, Calif. -
Despite a serenely injury-plagued season, the Bears managed once again to finish second at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championships, as well as third at the NCAA Championships.
Cody Moore brought home a NCAA individual title, claiming the parallel bar crown with an eye-popping 9.525 score there. For his efforts, Moore was also named Co-MPSF Gymnast of the Year for the second consecutive season, as well as earning a spot on the US National team thanks to a world-class performance at the Winter Cup Challenge in Las Vegas.
2002 saw the Bears' 30-consecutive win streak get snapped, although Cal still posted a top-drawer 14-3 record on the season. But the subtractions started early. First, two-time horizontal bar NCAA champion Michael Ashe tore his ACL while walking down a flight of stairs. After the first match of the season, freshman standout Jinjing Zhang left the team due to eligibility concerns. Zhang would not return to the squad until the MPSF Championships. Another freshman, Graham Ackerman, along with ring specialist Brian Sano, were hobbled throughout most of the season. Even Moore, at times, competed on sprained ankles.
With so few gymnasts at his disposal, head coach Barry Weiner was left with only five healthy gymnasts at most of the team's regular season meets-which is the NCAA minimum. That meant that the 2002 Bears were only one injury away from forfeits during the stretch of the year.
But that didn't stop the Bears. For a team of such limited staffing, Cal posted scores that were heroic, facing the long odds. Moore, Tom Kutz and David Eaton completed the all-around in practically every meet, and the Bears finished the season with a No. 6 national ranking.
