Darren Wong

Last Saturday at Haas Pavilion, Cal men’s gymnastics welcomed No. 1 Oklahoma to its last home meet of the season to face off in a head-to-head battle of technique and endurance.

The Bears, coming off of a major high with their recent record-breaking win against Army and William & Mary, are fueled up for their last home meet of the season this Saturday.

Everything seemed to suggest that Caleb Rickard was a flawless athlete. But the details I collected about the gymnast transformed my perception of him.

Though the Pac-12 announced in September that sports may be resumed in the coming winter, uncertainty is still in the air due to the sustained increase in COVID-19 cases around the country. For the men's gymnastics team, preparation started late this October with some strict caution for the health and safety of the athletes and staff alike.

The No. 11 Bears are traveling to Stanford this Saturday for a meet against the No. 1 Cardinal — the seventh time the two squads have faced each other this season.

The team set a school record on vault, had season bests on parallel bars and rings, while also tying their best performance of the season on pommel.

Finishing third at the Stanford Open, Cal proved it could compete with the best with a 400.700 — a 15-point improvement from its previous meet.

For most gymnasts, facing off against arguably the best team in the nation would be a source of intimidation and fear. But for the Bears, it’s a source of enthusiasm and energy.

Cal will take on Air Force and look to prove that its performance last week was only a bump in the road rather than the team’s status quo.

Cal's season debut was a lopsided loss to their rivals No. 2 ranked (and defending national champion) Stanford — 382.850 to 407.300.