Stack-Eaton's Vision: Cal Gymnastics Eyes NCAA Championship

First-year head coach Geralen Stack-Eaton is instilling a championship mindset in the Cal women's gymnastics program. Stack-Eaton, who has a championship background as a collegiate athlete, aims to lead the Golden Bears to an NCAA title. The team is currently ranked 14th nationally and is set to compete in the West Regional meet starting Thursday, April 3, 2026. Achieving their goal of reaching the NCAA Championship, scheduled for April 16-18, 2026, in Fort Worth, requires a strong performance to finish in the top two at the regional finals.

Stack-Eaton acknowledges the difficulty of the task, emphasizing the need for near-perfect execution, particularly sticking landings on all dismounts. She believes the team's underdog status might reduce pressure compared to more highly-ranked programs. The Bears have two individual standouts, Annalise Newman-Achee and Tonya Paulsson, who have earned All-America honors and will compete for spots in the national championships, regardless of the team's overall success. Stack-Eaton is optimistic about Cal's potential, citing the university's resources and commitment to supporting the gymnastics program.