DAVIS, Calif. – The UC Davis gymnastics duo of Kyla Kessler and Emma Otsu were recognized by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for their stellar performances this past weekend. Kessler was named the MPSF Gymnast of the Week, while Otsu nabbed MPSF Freshman of the Week accolades.

On Sunday, Kessler had a career performance leading the Aggies to victory with their highest score since 2018. On Senior Day, Kessler posted the third-highest all-around score in school history with a personal best score of 39.375. That score is tied for eighth all-time in the MPSF annals.

Her all-around victory was fueled by event wins on the floor and vault while finishing third on bars. The Fremont native finished her meet with a career-high 9.925 to win the floor exercise. The score marked the second-straight week that Kessler has been 9.9 or above on the floor. The senior started the day, equaling her career-high 9.875 in the vault to share top honors.

The Aggies finished with a 196.325, which is the sixth-highest team score in MPSF history and the fourth best in the program annals.

In her first career all-around in her first competing season for UC Davis, Otsu eclipsed the 39-point mark with a 39.300 to give the Aggies a 1-2 finish. She became just the second UC Davis gymnast, joining Gabby Landess, to eclipse the 39-point threshold in their all-around debut. 

Otsu was the runner-up on the bars in her first career attempt at the event with a score of 9.850. She was fourth on the beam with a 9.875. Otsu was seventh on the vault at 9.750.  

The Aggies hit the road for a dual meet against San Jose State on Sunday, Feb. 27.