UNC Gymnastics Cracks Top 25 in Preseason Poll, Eyes Breakthrough 2026 Campaign
The 2026 NCAA women’s gymnastics season hasn’t even started yet, but North Carolina is already making noise. The Tar Heels landed at No. 24 in the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Preseason Poll - their highest preseason ranking since 2007. It’s also the fifth straight year UNC has earned a spot in the preseason rankings under head coach Danna Durante, a clear sign of a program steadily gaining traction on the national stage.
Last season, Carolina wrapped up the year as a top-25 team - just the fourth time in program history they’ve finished that high. Their season ended at the Tuscaloosa Regional, where they placed sixth, but the experience of competing in that environment could pay dividends heading into 2026.
The Tar Heels return some serious firepower this season, most notably in Gwen Fink and Kaya Forbes, two veterans who have already made their mark in the ACC and beyond.
Fink, a steady presence on beam, was crowned ACC Co-Champion on the event last year after matching her career-best score of 9.9 - and she did it not once, but four times throughout the season. That level of consistency on one of the sport’s most pressure-packed apparatuses is no small feat and gives UNC a reliable anchor in the lineup.
Then there’s Forbes, who continues to raise the bar on vault. She posted a career-high 9.925 at the 2025 ACC Championships, a score that moved her into third all-time in program history.
That performance also helped punch her individual ticket to the 2025 Gymnastics National Championships, where she competed on vault against the nation’s best. Now a senior, Forbes brings elite-level experience and a big-score ceiling every time she steps onto the runway.
UNC won’t ease into the season, either. They’ll open on January 9 in Gainesville at a quad meet hosted by powerhouse Florida, currently ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll. The Tar Heels will share the floor with the Gators, Temple, and West Virginia in what should be a strong litmus test right out of the gate.
Carolina returns to Chapel Hill for their home opener on January 18 at Carmichael Arena, where they’ll host ACC rival Stanford. With momentum building and a roster that blends proven veterans with developing talent, the Tar Heels are poised to make some noise this season - and fans won’t want to miss the ride.
Single-meet tickets are on sale now at goheels.com.