Of California’s five team values—commitment, adaptability, humility, inclusivity, and joy—one has been more prominent than the rest throughout the 2024 season. It has been the catalyst to the Golden Bears’ best season ever. It has them threatening for an NCAA title this week. And it’s something that the team exudes in more ways than one.
“Anchoring in joy is the thing that gets it done,” co-head coach Liz Crandall-Howell said. “If they’re having fun and you’re seeing the looseness and freedom in what they’re doing, they’re going to do great.”
With every team being different, Crandall-Howell learned from this group that joy would be the key to getting the pieces of this puzzle to come together. Looking at results alone, mission accomplished. California had its best regular season in program history, earning the Pac-12 regular season title after an undefeated conference slate and lofting its program-best score to 198.550; and it’s primed to surpass its highest-ever finish of seventh (2016, 2021, 2023).
But it’s by simply observing the Golden Bears that one can best see the joy gymnastics brings them.
In the Cal practice gym before regionals, the environment is focused but lighthearted. Athletes work through complexes and assignments in small…
