Goulden Nuggets Pro Bowl Edition

Women's Water Polo

#4 Cal women's water polo team completed a perfect run through the UC Santa Barbara Invitational on Saturday with a pair of victories over nationally ranked teams.

Men's Gymnastics

The #6 California Golden Bears placed third in a quad meet at Burnham Pavilion on the campus of Stanford on Saturday evening, finishing with a total team score of 423.500.

Men's Tennis

On a Saturday when Cal celebrated the grand reopening of a renovated Hellman Tennis Complex, the 15th-ranked Golden Bears came from behind to defeat 21st-ranked Mississippi State, 4-2.

Rugby

The Golden Bears scored 12 tries to win their spring 15s home opener, 76-3, against visiting Cal Poly Saturday afternoon on Witter Rugby Field

Swimming & Diving

The women's side, ranked #1, defeated the #14 Arizona Wildcats 157-143. The men's side followed suit with a 205-93 victory of their own over the Wildcats.

Men's Soccer

Alum Steve Birnbaum was named by Jurgen Klinsmann to the USMNT 23-Man Roster.

Though Birnbaum has been a contributor on the youth level as well, his rise to his first senior team call-in has certainly been both more meteoric and unexpected than Kitchen's.

Picked second overall in the 2014 SuperDraft, the Cal grad seemed to be United's choice for a long-term replacement at center back. Few, though, gave him a great chance of starting consistently for D.C. so quickly, as he came into his first MLS season behind Bobby Boswell and Jeff Parke on the depth chart.

But when Parke went down with a combination of injuries throughout the year, Birnbaum stepped in and excelled, playing 20 or so largely error-free games and in the process placing himself on Klinsmann's radar.

"I couldn't be more happy," Birnbaum said earlier this week. "I knew it was kind of a long shot but I'm super excited to [be called up.] I'm nervous obviously but I'm just trying to play my game. I've been trying to get as fit as possible going into camp, that's the main thing. Once I heard from Jurgen, I've just been crushing fitness and getting out there as much as I can."

Baseball

Looking to keep the momentum going after an outstanding finish to last season, the Cal baseball team began its first full spring practice of 2015 Friday at Evans Diamond.

Women's Basketball

The Golden Bears defeated the USC Trojans Friday night, 67-53, with five different players hitting double figures. The Golden Bears tip off today against the UCLA Bruins at 3:00 pm.

Men's Basketball

The Golden Bears continued to slide disastrously in conference play with losses to both Arizona State and #7 Arizona, 79-44 and 73-50, respectively.

2015 Pro Bowl

Justin Forsett is overjoyed at his first Pro-Bowl Selection...

[CJ] Mosley and fellow Raven Justin Forsett are soaking up the time in Arizona for their first trip to the NFL's all-star game. Trips to the Pro Bowl are tough to come by, and the first-timers are making sure to enjoy the whole experience.

"It's very laid back," Mosley said. "Guys are just socializing and having fun. You get to meet some of the alumni from your college that you played with. I'm just taking it all in and enjoying it with my family."

Mosley and Forsett took very different paths to the Pro Bowl.

Mosley made the game after a stellar rookie season where he was the No. 17 overall pick. Forsett was the No. 233 overall selection in the 2008 draft, and he made the Pro Bowl after playing for five different teams in his first seven seasons.

"Ever since I came into the league, it has been a goal of mine to make the Pro Bowl," Forsett said.

... as is fellow Ron Gould protege C.J. Anderson.

C.J. Anderson began the season third on the depth chart and finished it as the ninth Broncos running back to reach the Pro Bowl.

He received the call at 2:30 p.m. Monday, wondering if he was interested in playing in the game as injured Le'Veon Bell's replacement. It was like asking if he wanted the winning Powerball numbers.

"It's so overwhelming," Anderson said. "It's so humbling. I am so blessed. I have to give it up to my teammates, my offensive line, my (running backs) coach (Eric) Studesville. This is straight out hunger. This is my first, and I want there to be many more."