Tar Heels Return Home Riding High After Record-Breaking Opener, Set to Host No. 13 Stanford in Top-15 Showdown
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Carmichael Arena lights are back on, and so is the energy. No.
11 North Carolina gymnastics is set to make its home debut this Sunday at 4 p.m., welcoming No. 13 Stanford in a top-15 clash that promises high-level routines and serious ACC implications.
The Tar Heels are coming off a season-opening performance that turned heads across the collegiate gymnastics world. Competing on the road in a quad meet at Florida, Carolina didn’t just show up - they made history.
Their team score of 196.675 wasn’t just good enough for second place; it shattered the program’s previous record for a season-opening road meet by a full 1.5 points. That kind of leap isn’t just a stat - it’s a statement.
Now, UNC returns to the friendly confines of Carmichael, where they went 6-1 last season. Home floor advantage clearly matters in Chapel Hill - six of the team’s seven wins in 2025 came right here, and with the crowd behind them, they’ll be looking to keep that momentum rolling.
But Sunday’s matchup is no walkover. Stanford brings firepower of its own and a bit of recent history.
The two programs met last season in California, where the Cardinal came out on top with a 197.250-195.775 win. Both teams also crossed paths at the ACC Championships, where Stanford edged the field to claim the conference title with a 197.775, while UNC finished a strong third at 197.225.
Safe to say, there’s no shortage of motivation on either side.
Spotlight on the Stars
Leading the charge for Carolina is Gwen Fink, who was named ACC Gymnast of the Week after a stellar all-around performance at the season opener. Her 39.475 score was enough to take the individual title - and to cement her status as one of the top gymnasts in the country. She currently ranks fourth nationally in the all-around, and her consistency across all four events gives UNC a reliable anchor every time she steps onto the floor.
Vault powerhouse Kaya Forbes is another name to watch. She currently holds the No. 2 spot in the country on the event, and her explosive style could be a difference-maker against Stanford.
Meanwhile, Sydney Seabrooks - a name already turning heads as a freshman - ranks second nationally on floor. Her inclusion on the Preseason Newcomer List is proving to be well-earned.
Fink and Forbes were both named to the ACC Preseason Watchlist, and their early-season form is showing why. With Seabrooks emerging as a legitimate scoring threat, Carolina’s lineup is showing both talent and depth - a dangerous combination in a conference as competitive as the ACC.
Looking Ahead
Picked to finish fourth in the ACC Preseason Poll, the Tar Heels are already looking like a team ready to outperform expectations. Sunday’s meet offers a chance to do just that - and to measure themselves against one of the conference’s best.
The stakes are high, the arena will be buzzing, and Carolina has a chance to make another statement - this time, in front of a home crowd.
First rotation starts at 4 p.m. in Carmichael. Don’t miss it.