BERKELEY -- For the second week in a row, the Golden Bears scored the second-highest beam score in school history to put together a strong home finale performance against defending national champion and No. 1 Oklahoma Sunday in Haas Pavilion. Cal turned in a 196.775 to place second behind Oklahoma's 197.800.

On Senior Day, it was veteran Emily Richardson who led the way for the Bears with a beam title and at least a 9.80 on every event she competed in. Richardson set a career-high 9.90 on beam and matched her career-best 9.875 on vault.
Richardson was one of four California seniors who ended their time in Haas on a high note. Zoe Draghi matched her career-best 9.925 on floor in the anchor spot, Amber Takara set a season-high 9.80 on vault and Jessica Howe returned to the lineup for the first time all season to post a 9.825 on beam.

"This is really the first group of girls I recruited in my first year," said head coach Justin Howell. "They took a chance on this program and me and they've made a huge impact on this program."

Cal's 196.775 was its third-best score of the season. The Bears scored above 49.0 on all four events.

On vault, Cal turned in its third-best total of the year, a 49.175, led by Takara's season-high, plus Richardson and Arianna Robinson's 9.875s. Freshman Rachael Mastrangelo made her Golden Bear debut with a 9.775.
The Bears went 49.125 on bars for their second-best score of the season, led by a pair of 9.85s from Yuleen Sternberg and Richardson.

The third rotation was full of highlight-worthy performances by the Bears, who for the second week in a row turned in a 49.325 team total – the second-best score in program history. Richardson's career-best 9.90 earned her a share of the title, and Chelsea Shu added her own career-high with a 9.875. Draghi also scored a 9.875 on beam. Howe, who has missed most of the season while recovering from a back injury, made her debut just in time for the home finale, scoring a 9.825.

Cal wrapped up the meet on floor, where Mariah Peterson matched her career-high 9.85 and Sofie Seilnacht made her first career floor appearance with a 9.025. Draghi anchored floor to lift Cal to a 49.150 with her career-high 9.925.

"I'm just super proud and impressed with how resilient our team is," Howell said. "If everybody in the stands and the judges knew the challenges we have been through, they would be on their feet giving us a standing ovation. These girls are tough as nails."

NEXT UP
Cal returns to the floor next week at the Pac-12 Championships hosted by Stanford on Saturday, March 18^th. Both sessions will air live on Pac-12 Network, with seeding and teams for each session announced this week.