Tigers Fall to Cal on the Road Amidst Strong Performace

Brie Clark, Clemson Tigers Gymnast Photo By: Charles Mays - Tiger View Media

Clemson faced off against Cal in Berkeley, California, at the Haas Pavilion. Coming into the meet, Cal was ranked 7th nationally, while Clemson was ranked 24th. It proved to be a tightly contested competition between the Tigers and the Golden Bears, with Cal ultimately securing the victory. Let’s break down how the meet unfolded.

Bars

As usual, Lilly Lippeatt opened on bars for Clemson, earning a 9.700, which would be dropped. Takoda Berry continued her consistent performances with a 9.725. Eve Jackson followed with a solid 9.800. Freshman standout Hannah Clark delivered an impressive 9.875, matched by Quinn Kuhl, who anchored the rotation with another 9.875. Team star Rebecca Wells contributed a strong 9.850. After the first rotation, Clemson trailed Cal by a slim margin, 49.175 to 49.125.

Vault

Trinity Brown kicked off the vault rotation for the Tigers, performing a Yurchenko Full and earning a 9.825. Quinn Kuhl followed with a 9.775 on her Yurchenko Full. Tara Walsh also performed a Yurchenko Full, scoring 9.750. Madison Minner added a 9.800 with her Tucked Yurchenko 1.5. Eve Jackson’s 9.625 on her Yurchenko 1.5 was dropped. Maggie Holman concluded the rotation with a Front Handspring Pike Half, earning a 9.775. After two rotations, Clemson remained behind Cal, 98.575 to 98.025.

Floor

On floor, Lilly Lippeatt opened with a 9.775. Maggie Holman’s 9.625 was dropped, while Madison Minner earned a strong 9.850. Molly Arnold and Eve Jackson both contributed solid scores of 9.825. Brie Clark closed out the rotation with an impressive 9.900. By the end of the third rotation, Clemson had narrowed the gap, trailing 147.450 to 147.200.

Beam

Lilly Lippeatt began the final rotation on beam, her third event of the night, earning a 9.750. Brie Clark and freshman Danika Nielsen each contributed consistent 9.800 scores. Sierra Church unfortunately suffered a fall and scored a 9.150, which was dropped. Kielyn McCright delivered a clutch 9.850, and Quinn Kuhl capped off her night with a 9.825.

Final Results

Despite Clemson’s strong effort and season-high score of 196.225, Cal emerged victorious with a 196.925. Clemson also achieved season highs on floor and beam, with floor being the standout event of the night, earning a team score of 49.175. Cal’s top performer was all-arounder Ella Cesario, who scored an impressive 39.475 on all four events, securing the all-around title in this meet.

Next up, Clemson returns home for their first meet at Littlejohn Coliseum this season against Pitt on Friday, January 31, at 7:00 p.m. Fans can catch the action on ACC Network Extra.