UNC Gymnastics Falls to NC State, but Sees Career Highs and Event Wins in Raleigh
RALEIGH, N.C. - Sunday’s meet between No. 12 North Carolina and No.
22 NC State was a showcase of both team intensity and individual brilliance. While the Tar Heels came up short on the scoreboard, falling 197.125-196.525 inside Reynolds Coliseum, the performance was anything but a letdown.
UNC delivered season-best event scores and saw standout routines that will be remembered long after the final rotation.
Let’s break it down.
Bars Brilliance: Fink Makes History
The Tar Heels came out firing on bars, scoring a 49.200 - their highest total on the event this season. Senior Gwen Fink was the star of the rotation, posting a career-best 9.950 that not only secured her the event title but also moved her into third all-time in UNC program history on bars. That’s the kind of routine that sticks in the minds of judges and fans alike - clean, confident, and commanding.
She wasn’t alone. Neve King and Sydney Seabrooks added strong sets of their own, scoring 9.825 and 9.875 respectively to set the tone early.
Vault Delivers Power and Precision
UNC matched their bars output with another 49.200 on vault, showing depth and consistency in the lineup. Kaya Forbes continued her solid season with a 9.875, while JoJo Valahovic stole the spotlight.
Her 9.925 not only earned her the event win but marked her third vault score of 9.900 or higher this season. That kind of consistency on vault is gold - literally and figuratively - and Valahovic is proving to be a reliable anchor for the Heels.
Floor Exercise: Seabrooks Stays Red-Hot
Freshman Hannah Aoki opened the floor rotation with a confident 9.850, setting the stage for a strong team performance. Jessica Naranjo followed with a season-high 9.900 - her first time hitting that number this year - and the celebration was well-earned.
Then came Sydney Seabrooks, who continues to thrive under pressure. Anchoring the lineup, she delivered her third 9.950 on floor this season, a score that reflects not just execution but presence. Seabrooks is quickly establishing herself as one of the most electric performers in the conference - and she’s just getting started.
Beam: Seabrooks Caps the Night with Another Win
The final rotation saw UNC post a 48.950 on beam, a slight dip compared to earlier events, but once again, Seabrooks was the highlight. Her 9.875 tied for the top score across both teams, earning her another event win and capping off a remarkable all-around performance.
All-Around Excellence
Only two gymnasts competed in the all-around on Sunday - and both wore Carolina blue.
Sydney Seabrooks took the all-around crown with a career-high 39.525, the highest all-around score for the Tar Heels this season. Her performance across all four events showed poise beyond her years, especially for a freshman.
Gwen Fink, not to be outdone, finished second with a strong 39.200, highlighted by her record-setting bars routine.
Takeaway
Yes, UNC came up short in the final tally, but this meet was a statement of potential. With multiple event wins, a historic bars routine, and a freshman stepping into the spotlight in a big way, the Tar Heels showed they’re not just a ranked team - they’re a dangerous one. If they can carry this momentum forward, especially with the kind of all-around depth they displayed in Raleigh, they’ll be a tough out for anyone the rest of the season.