BERKELEY --  From Junior Olympic all-around championships to international elite skills and national team representation, California women's gymnastics newest signees bring an array of experience to the Golden Bear program. Maya Bordas, Milan Clausi, Talitha Jones and Abi Solari have all signed their National Letters of Intent to join the Bears, head coach Justin Howell announced today.
 
Bordas, from Austin, Texas, is one of two Bears to earn the 2017 JO National all-around title, alongside top-three finishes on bars and floor. Bordas was the uneven bars runner-up, and third on floor, while also finishing seventh on vault to qualify for the JO National Team. The Westlake High School senior finished seventh in the all-around at the 2016 national championships.
 
"We are elated to have Maya joining Cal Gymnastics.  Maya is a standout in all areas of her life, exemplifying the #OneDayBetter mission of our organization," Howell said. "She strives to improve herself and those around her.  She has excelled both in the classroom and on the competition floor.  As an athlete, she brings elegance, joy and feeling of ease to every performance. "
 
She was named the Capital Gymnastics Gymnast of the Year in 2016, an honor she has collected five times in her career (2016, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2008).
 
Clausi, out of Olympus Gymnastics in Salt Lake City, Utah, was the 2017 Junior Olympic National all-around champion and a JO National team member. She also finished in the top 10 on three events this year, taking third on beam, sixth on bars and eighth on floor.
 
"We are so excited to welcome Milan to the Cal athletics family.  Milan is a beautiful athlete, excelling in every event," Howell said. "She has the perfect combination of artistry and power, and will definitely be a strong contributor to our team.  Moreover, we are looking forward to the leadership qualities that Milan will bring to our team.  She is introspective, supportive and driven toward excellence."
 
The Skyline High School senior has qualified for JO Nationals five times, and in 2014 was a Junior International Elite qualifier. In 2015, Clausi won the Level 10 bars title and took third in the all-around.
Clausi is no stranger to the world of collegiate athletics, as her mother is 1988 USA Olympic team member and Utah standout Missy Marlowe, while her father Joseph played football at Utah and in the NFL.
 
Jones joins the Bears from Southern California, where she is standout at Precision Gymnastics, finishing in the top 10 on three events at 2017 JO Nationals. The Los Angeles, Calif. product was sixth on the all-around, fourth on floor and eighth on vault.
 
"Talitha has an electric personality that draws people to her.   We can't wait to watch her bring that energy to the NCAA stage," Howell said. "Talitha is a phenomenal all-around gymnast, showing high-level difficulty on all four events.  In particular, she is very explosive on vault and floor."
 
The powerful gymnast owns an impressive career-high 9.975 on vault, and claimed third on vault at the 2016 JO National Championships.
 
She is a three-year honor roll student at Rancho Cucamonga High School who also participated in track as a freshman.
 
"We have been very impressed with Talitha's drive, focus and clarity toward reaching her goals. Developing these qualities at a young age will definitely lend itself toward growth in all areas while managing the rigors of life as a student-athlete," Howell said.
 
A Great Britain National Team member, Solari adds yet another Bear with international experience to the Cal lineup. She has competed for Great Britain since 2012, claiming second in the all-around and leading her squad to the title at the Olympic Hopes Cup in 2014.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome British National Team member Abi Solari to the University of California," Howell said. "Abi has a plethora of unique skills on all four events, including multiple options for different high-level vaults. The international quality of her gymnastics will be a treat to all gymnastics fans."
 
A native of Portishead in Bristol, England, Solari took third in the all-around at the 2016 English Championships, and third on vault at the British Championships. She was the 2013 Espoir English Vault Champion. Her club squad, The Academy of Gymnastics Portishead earned a British Team Championship in 2016.
 
"We look forward to watching her continue to progress, and feel that the possibilities for growth are limitless, Howell added. "Abi will also continue to enrich the diverse environment that we seek to create on our team.  She brings a unique perspective that will benefit all those she connects with."