Bears Clinch Dramatic Victory Over Clemson

In a tightly contested road matchup, the No. 20 California women’s gymnastics team secured a dramatic 196.950-196.900 victory over No. 16 Clemson on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina. The Golden Bears achieved their highest overall score of the 2026 season, alongside season-best performances on both balance beam and floor exercise, to clinch the win.

A Battle to the Finish

The dual meet came down to the final rotation, highlighting the competitive balance between the two teams. Cal’s performance was highlighted by several individual achievements, including Tonya Paulsson winning the all-around competition and sharing the uneven bars title with teammate Sage Melkonian. Abbey Scanlon and Sarah Lee tied for first place on the balance beam.

Individual Standouts

Tonya Paulsson’s all-around victory underscored her consistent performance throughout the season. She also anchored the uneven bars with a score of 9.925, marking her fourth bars score at or above 9.925 this season. Sage Melkonian achieved a career-high 9.925 on the uneven bars, contributing significantly to Cal’s strong start. Annalise Newman-Achee secured a bronze medal in the all-around competition, reaching the podium for the sixth consecutive meet.

Did You Know? Cal won the first rotation on uneven bars with a score of 49.400, which was the highest event score of the meet.

Event Highlights

Cal dominated the uneven bars in the first rotation, setting the tone for the competition. Mya Wiley matched her season best with a 9.875. Casey Brown and Annalise Newman-Achee both earned a 9.850 on vault, tying for the highest score on that event for the Bears. The team continued to build momentum on the floor exercise, with Casey Brown and Annalise Newman-Achee both achieving career-high scores of 9.825, and 9.875, respectively. CJ Keuneke and Kyen Mayhew also contributed strong routines, with Keuneke achieving a new season best of 9.875 and Mayhew matching her highest floor score of 2026.

Expert Insight: This victory demonstrates the Cal women’s gymnastics team’s ability to perform under pressure and capitalize on individual strengths to achieve a collective win, particularly on the road against a ranked opponent.

The Golden Bears sealed their victory with a stellar performance on the balance beam. Sarah Lee and Abbey Scanlon both posted a 9.900, with Scanlon achieving a season-best score. Tonya Paulsson added a career-high 9.875, and Aderinto posted a personal best on beam with a 9.850, leading to a team score of 49.275 on the event.

Looking Ahead

Cal will now shift its focus to the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday, February 14. The evening session, beginning at 5:15 p.m. PT, will see the Bears compete against Georgia, Air Force, and Stanford. A strong performance at the Metroplex Challenge could position Cal favorably as the season progresses. The team’s ability to maintain its momentum and continue improving on all events will be key to its success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Cal’s final score against Clemson?

Cal’s final score was 196.950, narrowly defeating Clemson’s 196.900.

Who won the all-around competition for Cal?

Tonya Paulsson won the all-around competition for the California Golden Bears.

What events did Cal achieve season-high scores on?

Cal recorded season-high scores on both balance beam and floor exercise during the meet against Clemson.

What does this victory signify for the Cal women’s gymnastics team as they move forward in the 2026 season?