NC State Gymnastics Stays Red-Hot, Edges UNC Again with Season-Best Beam Performance
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - NC State gymnastics isn’t just winning - it’s making a statement. For the second time in five days, the Wolfpack took down in-state rival UNC, this time on the road inside Carmichael Arena. Friday night’s 196.625-196.325 win wasn’t just another tally in the win column - it was a gritty, come-from-behind performance that showcased the Pack’s depth, poise, and growing confidence on the big stage.
Let’s start with the headline: NC State now owns six straight wins over the Tar Heels, and this latest one came with a little extra shine. The Pack’s 49.275 on beam - a season-best - sealed the deal in the final rotation, capping off their highest road score of the season and securing their fourth Top-30 win of the year.
And the rankings? They tell a story too.
After last weekend’s home win against UNC, NC State climbed to No. 21 nationally. Friday’s upset over the 13th-ranked Tar Heels only strengthens that upward momentum.
Beam Delivers When It Matters Most
Tied heading into the final rotation, NC State needed a big finish - and it delivered. The beam squad came through with ice in their veins, led by Maddie Hall, Adasyn Tackett, and Syniya Thomas, who all posted 9.875s.
Whether it was tying a career high or setting a new one, each routine was as clutch as they come. Katie Harper and Caroline Volk added 9.825s, giving the Pack five scores north of 9.800 in the event.
That beam rotation wasn’t just good - it was the kind of performance that wins meets, builds belief, and sends a message to the rest of the field. NC State didn’t just hold on; they closed the door.
Steady Climb Through the Lineup
The Pack started off on bars, where they posted a solid 49.025 - their second straight meet above the 49.000 mark. Caroline Volk led the way with a 9.875 to win the event, while Madeline Reid’s 9.850 and Elle Hadrick’s 9.825 kept the early momentum rolling.
Vault followed, and the Pack kept the pressure on. Syniya Thomas tied her career-best with a 9.875, good for second overall.
Lauren Wright matched her own career high at 9.850, and Emerson Fisk notched a new personal best with a 9.750. The team’s 49.100 on vault was their second-best score of the season on that event - another sign that NC State is peaking at the right time.
On floor, the Pack turned up the energy. Hadrick and Autumn Rardin both hit 9.875s to tie for second in the event.
Meg Adler, returning to the lineup, matched her career best with a 9.850. Thomas added a 9.825 and Fisk chipped in a 9.800, giving NC State a 49.225 - a rotation that kept them toe-to-toe with the Tar Heels heading into the beam finale.
“One Heartbeat” - The Pack’s Mindset
For head coach Kim Landrus, the focus wasn’t just on the rivalry - it was on execution.
“We’re just together. We have one heartbeat,” Landrus said.
“It’s not about our opponent. Of course, that fires them up, but it’s more about just doing what we do.”
That mindset showed. Whether it was sticking landings or staying calm under pressure, the Pack looked like a team that believes in its process - and in each other.
Thomas: “We’re Gonna Show Out”
Few athletes embodied the Pack’s swagger more than Syniya Thomas. The Raleigh native and Millbrook High School alum played a key role across multiple events, tying a career high on vault and anchoring the beam rotation with another 9.875.
But Thomas isn’t satisfied.
“It means we’re going to beat them again. That’s exactly what that means,” she said, already looking ahead to Sunday’s quad meet in Fort Worth, Texas, where NC State will face UNC again - along with Auburn and Boise State.
“We’ll do some recovery and go into Sunday like it’s a brand new week. We’re gonna come in fresh, we’re gonna look good and we’re gonna show out.”
What’s Next
NC State heads to the Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth this Sunday. It’s another chance to build on their momentum - and another opportunity to prove they belong among the nation’s elite.
The meet kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET, with streaming available on MeetScoresOnline.
If these last two meets are any indication, the Wolfpack isn’t just winning - they’re building something. And right now, they’re doing it with precision, confidence, and just the right amount of edge.