UNC Women’s Gymnastics Falls to NC State in Close Meet
The University of North Carolina women’s gymnastics team faced a tough challenge on Sunday, losing to NC State, 197.125 to 196.525, at Reynolds Coliseum. Despite the loss, the Tar Heels showcased some impressive performances.
The highlights of the night included top scores on the bars and vault, each hitting 49.200—a season best for both events. JoJo Valahovic shone on vault, winning with a score of 9.925. Gwen Fink led on bars with an impressive 9.950, marking both a career-high and the third-best score in UNC history. Sydney Seabrooks also excelled, winning on beam.
All-Around Performances
Fink and Seabrooks were the only gymnasts from either team to compete in the all-around. Seabrooks took the win with a score of 39.525, a career-high for her, while Fink scored 39.200 to finish second.
Breakdown by Rotation
Bars (49.200): Neve King and Seabrooks set a strong tone with scores of 9.825 and 9.875, respectively. Fink’s career-high solidified her position in the record books.
Vault (49.200): Kaya Forbes scored 9.875, contributing to Valahovic’s event win. This was her third meet this season scoring 9.900 or higher.
Floor (49.175): Freshman Hannah Aoki led off with a 9.850, while Jessica Naranjo achieved a season’s best of 9.900. Seabrooks rounded it off with another 9.950.
Beam (48.950): Seabrooks again distinguished herself, scoring 9.875, tying for first across both teams.
Looking Ahead
The team is eager to build on the positive aspects of their performance. With such strong individual achievements, we can expect the Tar Heels to improve in their upcoming meets.
The competitive atmosphere in college gymnastics continues to draw attention. According to the NCAA, the popularity of women’s gymnastics is on the rise, with viewership increasing significantly over the past few years. As fans engage on social media, gymnasts often share both victories and challenges, inspiring younger athletes.
Stay connected with UNC Gymnastics through their social media platforms on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
