Clemson Edges UNC in Gymnastics Showdown, But Tar Heels Show Depth and Firepower
In a tightly contested Friday night matchup at Littlejohn Coliseum, No. 13 North Carolina women's gymnastics fell just short against No.
16 Clemson, 197.025-196.375. But despite the final score, there was plenty to like about the Tar Heels' performance - especially on vault and floor, where they tied their highest event scores of the night with 49.150 on each.
This was a meet that showcased both veteran leadership and emerging depth for UNC, with standout performances across all four events and a notable step forward in the all-around.
All-Around Effort: Seabrooks and Fink Lead the Way
For the first time this season, North Carolina had two gymnasts competing in the all-around - and they delivered. Sydney Seabrooks led the Tar Heels with a strong 39.125, while Gwen Fink added a 38.750 in a performance that highlighted her consistency across all four apparatuses.
Seabrooks, in particular, continues to be a rock for this team. Her ability to deliver under pressure - especially on floor - gives UNC a reliable anchor in high-stakes moments.
Rotation One - Bars (49.075)
UNC opened the meet on bars and came out steady. Three Tar Heels posted 9.850s, including Anna Pearl Stanley, who notched a career high. It was a solid start that set the tone for the rest of the night - clean, confident routines with room to grow.
Rotation Two - Vault (49.150)
Vault was one of Carolina’s strongest rotations of the night. Elly King led things off with a 9.775, setting the stage for a big finish.
Fink and Kaya Forbes delivered matching 9.875s to top the leaderboard and share the event title. It was a moment that underscored the Tar Heels’ power and precision on vault - two qualities that could become a calling card as the season progresses.
Rotation Three - Floor (49.150)
Momentum carried straight into floor, where UNC matched their vault score with another 49.150. Fink and Jessica Naranjo both posted 9.825s, showing off dynamic choreography and strong landings.
But the highlight came at the end of the rotation, when Seabrooks - as she so often does - closed things out with a team-leading 9.900. Her routine was crisp, expressive, and packed with difficulty, and it gave UNC a huge boost heading into the final rotation.
Rotation Four - Beam (49.000)
Beam was a battle, but Naranjo and JoJo Valahovic rose to the occasion. Both posted 9.900s to claim the event title and give UNC a strong finish to the night.
Their routines were poised and confident - exactly what you want to see in the pressure-packed final rotation. While the overall beam score came in just a tick lower than vault and floor, those individual performances stood out in a big way.
Final Takeaway
Yes, UNC came up short on the scoreboard, but this meet was far from a loss in terms of performance. The Tar Heels showed balance across all four events, depth in the all-around, and flashes of brilliance that suggest this team is just getting started. With Seabrooks anchoring the lineup and gymnasts like Fink, Naranjo, and Forbes stepping up, Carolina has a foundation that can compete with anyone in the country.
Next up: refining the details, building on the momentum, and continuing to push the ceiling higher. Because if Friday night was any indication, the Tar Heels are trending in the right direction - and fast.