No. 13 UNC Gymnastics Heads to Metroplex Meet with Momentum and Star Power
FORT WORTH, Texas - The No. 13 North Carolina gymnastics team is heading back to Metroplex, but this time, the stakes are a little higher and the field a whole lot deeper.
Sunday night at the Fort Worth Convention Center, the Tar Heels will square off against No. 17 Auburn, No.
21 NC State, and Boise State in a quad meet that promises to be one of their toughest tests so far this season. First routines are set to go off at 8:15 p.m.
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This isn’t Carolina’s first time under the bright lights at Metroplex. The Tar Heels competed here last season in a high-profile dual against eventual national champion Oklahoma, where they posted a 196.200. That kind of experience-competing in a big arena against elite talent-should serve them well as they prepare to face three quality opponents, including an NC State squad they’ve already seen twice this year.
Third Time’s the Charm vs. NC State?
Sunday marks the third straight meet between UNC and NC State, and so far, the Wolfpack have had the upper hand. The Tar Heels are 0-2 in those head-to-heads this season, but the margins have been tight, and Carolina has shown flashes of brilliance-especially from their top performers.
Familiar Faces, Fresh Matchups
While NC State is a familiar foe, Auburn and Boise State are less so. Carolina last faced Auburn early in the 2022 season, dropping a close one at home, 196.250-195.700.
Their last meeting with Boise State came in 2024, another close contest that ended in a 196.250-195.150 loss. Both matchups offer a chance for redemption and a measuring stick for just how far this UNC squad has come.
All Eyes on Valahovic and Fink
If Carolina is going to make a statement Sunday, it’ll likely be behind the efforts of JoJo Valahovic and Gwen Fink-two gymnasts who’ve been on a tear lately. Valahovic has been electric on vault and beam, hitting a 9.925 on vault in back-to-back meets and tying her career-high 9.950 on beam in Friday’s showdown with NC State. That beam routine wasn’t just clean-it was composed, confident, and clutch.
Fink, a senior leader, has been just as impactful. In the first of the two recent meets against NC State, she delivered a career-best 9.950 on bars-good enough to tie for the third-highest score in program history.
Then she followed it up with a win in the all-around, posting a 39.250. Her consistency across events has been a major asset for a team that’s looking to push into the national conversation.
Depth Making the Difference
It’s not just the stars carrying the load. Freshman Sydney Seabrooks has been a revelation on floor, scoring 9.900 or higher in five meets this season, including a 9.925 in Friday’s meet. That kind of scoring power from a first-year gymnast gives Carolina a serious edge in team depth.
Kaya Forbes, meanwhile, has become a vault standout in her own right. She currently ranks 10th nationally and first in the ACC on the event, giving UNC a legitimate one-two punch on vault alongside Valahovic.
And don’t overlook Jessica Naranjo, who posted a 9.900 on beam against Clemson. She, Valahovic, and Seabrooks all hit 9.900s in that meet, showcasing the kind of depth and scoring potential that can carry a team deep into the postseason.
Tar Heels Trending Up
Heading into Week 6 of the season, UNC sits at No. 13 nationally and No. 2 in the ACC. They’re ranked in the top 25 in the country on all five events-a testament to their balance and consistency.
Vault has been their standout event, where they rank ninth nationally, but they’re also top-20 on floor (No. 16), beam (No. 19), and bars (No. 21), with an all-around team ranking of No. 13.
The accolades are adding up, too. Valahovic was just named ACC Co-Specialist of the Week after her 9.925 vault performance, marking the third time this season she’s hit 9.900 or better on that event.
Seabrooks earned ACC Specialist of the Week honors earlier this season after back-to-back 9.950s on floor. And Fink was named ACC Gymnast of the Week in mid-January after winning the all-around at Florida with a 39.475.
A Strong Start with Room to Grow
The Tar Heels opened the season with a bang, finishing second at a quad meet in Florida while setting a program record for a road score (196.675). That kind of start built a foundation of confidence-and now, as they head into the heart of the season, they’re looking to build on it.
Picked to finish fourth in the ACC preseason poll, UNC has already shown they’re capable of outperforming expectations. Sunday’s Metroplex meet is another chance to prove it-against top-tier competition, on a big stage, with postseason implications on the horizon.
With Valahovic flying high, Fink anchoring the lineup, and a supporting cast that’s stepping up meet after meet, this Carolina squad is looking more and more like a team that can make some real noise come March.