Feb. 7, 1998

BERKELEY, Calif. - The California Men's gymnastics team had a succesful outing in their frist home meet of the season at the Recreational Sports Facility on the University of California campus.

The defending national champion Bears tallied 228.500 points to once again prove their mettle over the UCSB Gaunchos (214.000) and the eighteenth-ranked Stanford Cardinal (211.250). The Bears notched the top three scores in all but the pommel horse, h-bar and all-around competitions. Stanfored's Jason Katsampes helped the Cardinal save face with a 9.70 third place performance on the horse and a third place 9.600 score on the h-bar. UCSB's Chris Divito took all-around honors with 23.95 total points. Cal improved their season team scores on the horse (38.350) and the rings (38.300).

Evgenii Zherebchevsiy came in first place in all four events wheich he competed. He set career highs 9.75 on the floor (9.75), the vault (9.40). the h-bar (9.85) and matched a career-high on the parallel bars (9.75). Freshman Tal Moscovitz had an impressive evening as well in just his second meet as a Bear. He recorded personal highs of 9.70 on the horse for second place and took third place in the all-around (19.150).

Cal surged ahead after the second rotation on the horse where Josh Birkelbaw led the way with a personal season high 9.8 score. UCSB took advantage of Stanford's medicore second rotation performance on the still rings (33.450 points) and moved to second place after scoring 35.400 points on the floor. The Gaunchos held on to upset the Cardinal with consistent performances from all their gymnasts the rest of the meet.

The Ukrainians capped a satisfying meet for the Bears woth a pair of stellar performances on the high bar. Alex Chansky tied his career-high with a 9.80 score and Zchherebchevskiy notched a career-tying 9.90.