BERKELEY - The tenth-ranked California women's gymnastics team sent their seniors off in style as they recorded the second-best team score in school history and defeated No. 20 Iowa, 197.900-196.175,
on Sunday afternoon at Haas Pavilion.
 
The Bears recorded a program record on floor and the second-best score in program history on bars in a spectacular home finale. They also had a 49.450 on beam, the fourth-best score in program history and just .050 from the program record. After the meet, the Bears had a special celebration honoring a historic eight-person senior class, which has helped turn Cal into one of the top programs in the country.
 
"It starts when we march them out at the beginning of the meet: National Champion, All-Americans regional champion, AAI award finalist," co-head coach Elisabeth Crandall-Howell stated. "The resume that those eight girls have accumulated over their time here is not something I could've dreamed for them. I saw each of them make that a reality every single day. They're confidence is growing and they have such a belief in each other. The reason they all thrive is because they're all so closely connected and they bring out the best in each other."
 
One of those seniors, Maya Bordas, won the all-around with a 39.600 score. The reigning NCAA Champion on uneven bars scored a personal best and the fifth-highest all-around score in school history as she won the vault and floor competitions.
 
"Today, they came into the day so relaxed and so comfortable and confident from the minute they came in. All the way through the warm up, they were super impressive today. They competed two nights ago on the other side of the country and looked better today, more energized, sharp and ready to go. That's a positive test for us, since we have to compete multiple days in the postseason. What today proved is that they're prepared. Their confidence is going to explode; having a day like today and having their best performance of the year."
 
On the second rotation, the Bears recorded their highest event score for any event this season and the second-best bars score in school history with a 49.625. Cal had four student-athletes score 9.925 or higher. Gabby Perea led off the lineup for the Bears and got them started on the right notes as she recorded a 9.95 score on a beautiful routine. Andi Li tied with her former club teammate as both Illinois natives recorded 9.95 scores and tied for first. Maddie Williams tied her career high with a 9.925 mark in the third spot in the lineup. Reigning National Champion Maya Bordas also recorded a 9.925 on the event as Cal had the top four scores of the event. Nina Schank rounded out the scoring rotation with a 9.875. The Bears had to drop the 9.85 score that Nevaeh DeSouza posted.
 
Cal closed the meet in style as they set a program record on floor with a 49.600 mark. Four seniors recorded 9.90 or above, led by Bordas and Clausi as they both scored 9.95. The floor score was a career-best mark from Bordas, besting her previous high of 9.90. Clausi equaled her own personal best as the two seniors tied for first place. Grace Quinn took fourth place with a 9.925, the fifth straight meet she's had a 9.925 or above. Nina Schank also equaled a career-best as she recorded a 9.90. DeSouza rounded out the scoring as she recorded a 9.875.
 
Clausi continued her fantastic meet with a 9.925 on beam as she shared the event win with teammate Mya Lauzon. Lauzon returned to the lineup on Friday against Ohio State and Pittsburgh and has recorded back-to-back 9.925 scores for the Bears. Maddie Williams set a season-best as she took third place with a 9.90. DeSouza and Bordas rounded out the lineup with a 9.85. The Bears recorded a 49.450 on beam, the fourth-highest total in school history and just .050 from the program record.
 
"I loved how they were all so present in every moment of what they did today," Crandall-Howell said. "They took a minute and took it all in. Milan took an extra breath and was up doing what she needed to do. She hit a fantastic beam routine and had a headstand that is her signature move, she stood up after and looked around and took it in. Then she stuck her dismount and celebrated herself. That's the other thing that's so cool about this group. It's hard to be a Cal student, you're constantly having to grind it out. It's easy to see the areas where you could do better or where you fall short. The moments I get most excited is when they realize 'I'm really good at what I do' and they give themselves that love and credit for how much they've worked and how they've grown."
 
The Bears started the meet on vault and saw Maya Bordas record her fourth win of the weekend as she scored 9.875 to win the event. Milan Clausi and Nevaeh DeSouza tied for second place with 9.850 scores. Abi Solari was in the anchor spot and recorded a career-best 9.825 score in her final home meet.
 
"It was amazing to see Abi perform her vault," Crandall-Howell said. "She has worked so hard to get that vault developed and be confident in her landing; to see her in her last meet in Haas and to have her land it was amazing. That's going to help us as we move into the postseason."
 
UP NEXT
The Bears will head to West Valley City, Utah for the Pac-12 Championship. The Bears will be in the night session of the championship which begins at 6 p.m. PT.
 
STAY POSTED
For complete coverage of Cal women's gymnastics, please follow the Bears on Twitter (@CalWGym), Instagram (@CalWGym) and Facebook (/CalWGym/).