PHOTO ESSAY: No. 14 BYU and No. 19 Arizona State at No. 18 California

February 7, 2019 Emily Howell-Forbes Event Coverage, Featured Carousel, Features, NCAA WAG, Recap

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No. 18 California hosted No. 14 BYU and No. 19 Arizona State on Sunday, February 3, 2019. It was a significant meet for the two Pac-12 opponents, as they have jostled for the fourth position in the conference standings so far this year; the top four teams compete in the night session of the Pac-12 championship. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Toni-Ann Williams registered California’s highest score on vault, a 9.900 that included a perfect 9.950 from one judge. The Bears’ performance on the event put them in the lead after the first rotation by a razor-thin margin over its opponents. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Senior Sofie Seilnacht led off the Bears on bars. Her addition to the lineup was one of several significant changes following the issues on bars last week at Arizona, where it scored just a 47.075 after counting three falls. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Alma Kuc was another change from the previous week. The sophomore has been in and out of top six this year but nailed this routine, making her three-for-three on the season. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Nina Schank, who had to follow a fall from Emi Watterson, hit a clutch bar routine in the fifth spot, helping to get California’s rotation back on track. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Milan Clausi made her bars debut, anchoring the Bears’ lineup as a last minute substitution for Maya Bordas. Co-head coach Liz Crandell-Howell said the freshman had been more than willing to take on the challenge, even going so far as to call her a “gamer”. She hit the routine for a 9.725. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Junior Ashley Szafranski celebrates a hit beam routine with associate head coach Jess Santos. Szafranski bounced back from a fall last week and hit her routine, preventing the team from counting a fall from Corinne Belkoff earlier in the rotation. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Shannon Evans’ quirky Super Mario-themed floor routine was a highlight of the evening. Her 9.875 routine allowed the Cougars to drop an earlier fall from Sadie Miner and boosted the floor total to 48.975. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

California co-head coach Liz Crandall-Howell encourages beam anchor Maya Bordas. The freshman was removed from the bars lineup earlier in the meet but excelled on beam, receiving a 9.900. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Seilnacht earned a season high 9.925 on beam that earned her the individual title and led Cal to a program record 49.425 on the event. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Sun Devil sophomore Cairo Leonard-Baker’s dynamic floor routine thrilled even the opposing team fans in Haas Pavilion. Leonard-Baker finished second in the all around to BYU’s Shannon Evans with a total score of 39.350, just edging out California’s Milan Clausi. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Arizona State has relied exclusively on veterans in its lineups in 2019, but in Berkeley it showed two freshmen—Jasmine Gutierrez on beam and Stephanie Tripodi on floor—in exhibition. Due significant to injuries, the newcomers may make an appearance in the top six before the end of the year. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Williams’ engaging floor routine earned her a 9.900, helping California to post a 49.100 and winning her the title on the event. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Junior Rachael Mastrangelo threw her tuck full-in for the first time. She was moved to the end of the lineup and was allowed to try the new skill if the five gymnasts in front of her hit. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Freshman Milan Clausi didn’t expect to complete the all around on Sunday, but after a last-minute change to the bars lineup and strong routines on her three existing events, she made her four-event debut, tallying a 39.300. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Evans won the all around in a competitive field with a 39.475, a career high for the junior. She took home MRGC Gymnast of the Week honors thanks to the strong performance. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Sophomore Maleah Pearson and her teammates celebrate during California’s closing floor routine. The Bears wrapped up the meet with a season high 196.700 to the Sun Devils’ 195.700 and the Cougars’ 194.975. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

Sisters Toni-Ann and Maya Williams, of California and Arizona State, respectively, share a moment after the awards ceremony. The Williamses were one of three pairs of sisters at the tri meet; Sofie and Sylvie Seilnacht of California and Abbey and Sadie Miner of BYU also competed. (Photo/Emily Howell-Forbes, [email protected])

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