Cal Triumphs Over UCLA and Oregon State in Spectacular Season Debut

WGYM1/4/2025 8:23 PM | By: Cal Athletics

Lauzon, Williams Achieve Event Victories

OCEANSIDE – The No. 4 California women’s gymnastics squad secured two victories on Saturday at the season-opening American Gold Collegiate Classic, finishing with a score of 196.275 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. No. 19 Oregon State placed second in the tri-meet with a score of 195.775, while No. 10 UCLA took third at 195.250.
 
The Golden Bears (2-0) showcased six individual podium finishes from its senior members, including three event victories. Mya Lauzon achieved a second-place finish in the all-around with a total of 39.525, also claiming a share of the balance beam and floor exercise titles, as well as a silver tie on vault. Ella Cesario’s score of 39.200 in the all-around earned her the bronze medal, while Maddie Williams captured the gold on the uneven bars.
 
Cal commenced the events in Olympic sequence, starting with vault. Freshman Mya Wiley made her collegiate debut and impressed with a 9.80, marking the sixth-highest score of the day. Lauzon’s winning score of 9.90 was the top routine of the rotation, propelling the Bears to a 48.950 and an early advantage over the Bruins (0-2) and Beavers (1-1).
 
The Bears, who concluded the previous year as the second-ranked uneven bars team nationally, recorded the highest score of the day on their second rotation with a 49.175. Williams kicked off her senior campaign with a strong performance, anchoring the lineup with a 9.95. She was one of only two gymnasts on any apparatus to achieve the near-perfect score. Cesario finished fifth in the event with a score of 9.85, and both Lauzon and junior eMjae Frazier tied for sixth place with scores of 9.825.
 
Heading to the balance beam, Cal held a solid half-point lead at 98.125, with Oregon State in second at 97.750 and UCLA in third at 97.250. The third rotation began strongly with Cesario and Williams each posting scores of 9.85 in the lead-off positions, tying for fourth place. Lauzon delivered her second 9.900 of the day in the fifth position, maintaining the Bears’ lead with a 49.100 score.
 
A robust performance on the beam allowed the Bears’ margin to widen to half a point over the Beavers and nearly a full point ahead of the Bruins as they approached the final floor routine. Once again, Cal received a strong start from its two initial performers: sophomore Kyen Mayhew began with a 9.800, followed by senior Jordan Kane with a score of 9.850, which secured her a share of fourth place. Lauzon anchored the team with a 9.900, propelling them over the 49-point threshold to 49.050.
 
Cal will next prepare for a highly competitive event next Saturday as they face off against No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 2 LSU, and No. 5 Utah at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Classic at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK. The competition will be broadcast nationally on ABC.