FORT WORTH, Texas – The California women’s gymnastics team delivered a strong performance at the Metroplex Challenge on Saturday, securing second place with a final score of 196.850. The No. 20 Golden Bears outscored both No. 10 Stanford (196.400) and No. 42 Air Force (195.750), but ultimately fell short against No. 8 Georgia, who claimed the top spot with a score of 197.650. This competition marked a significant test for Cal as they navigate their season within the Atlantic Coast Conference.
A highlight of the meet was the exceptional all-around performance of Cal gymnasts Tonya Paulsson and Annalise Newman-Achee, who tied for third place with a personal-best score of 39.475. Their consistent routines across all events contributed significantly to the team’s overall success. The Metroplex Challenge, held at the Fort Worth Convention Center, showcased a high level of competition and provided valuable experience for the Golden Bears.
Cal started strong on the uneven bars, posting a team score of 49.150. Newman-Achee led the way with a season-high 9.900, whereas Paulsson anchored the rotation with a 9.875 and Casey Brown added a 9.850. This performance placed Cal in second position after the first rotation, trailing Georgia by just 0.325 points.
The Golden Bears continued their momentum on the balance beam, achieving a team score of 49.275 – their highest beam score of the 2026 season. Sage Melkonian set the tone with a career-high 9.825, followed by back-to-back 9.900 routines from Newman-Achee and Miki Aderinto. This strong showing allowed Cal to close the gap on Georgia, bringing the difference to just 0.275 points at the halfway mark.
Cal maintained their impressive form in the third rotation, earning another 49.275 on floor exercise. Paulsson anchored the event with a career-high matching 9.900, earning a share of third place on the event. Newman-Achee, Jayden Silvers, and Kyen Mayhew all contributed solid routines, scoring 9.850 each, with Silvers achieving a season-best score.
The Bears concluded the competition with a solid vault rotation, securing their second-place finish. Casey Brown led off with a season-best vault of 9.875 and a stuck landing, while Paulsson and Mayhew each added a 9.850. This performance solidified Cal’s victory over Stanford and Air Force.
After a nearly month-long stretch on the road, the California gymnastics team will return to Haas Pavilion to host North Carolina on Friday, February 20th. The meet is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra. Tickets are available for purchase in advance.
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Looking ahead, the Bears will aim to build on this performance as they return home and prepare to face North Carolina. The upcoming meet provides an opportunity for Cal to continue refining their routines and strengthening their position within the ACC.
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