Tar Heels Take Metroplex Challenge Title with Balanced, High-Scoring Performance
FORT WORTH, Texas - North Carolina gymnastics is building something special, and Sunday night in Fort Worth was another major step forward. The No.
13 Tar Heels delivered a composed, confident performance at the Metroplex Challenge, topping a competitive field that included No. 17 Auburn, No.
21 NC State, and Boise State. With a final team score of 196.375, UNC not only walked away with the meet title - they sent a clear message: this team is for real.
All-Around Excellence: Fink Leads the Way
The all-around competition saw two Tar Heels step up in a big way. Gwen Fink continued her standout season by posting a 39.325, the top score of the meet, to claim the all-around crown.
She was steady across all four apparatuses, delivering a combination of difficulty and execution that’s becoming her trademark. Sydney Seabrooks also competed in all four events, finishing with a solid 39.025.
For Carolina, having two athletes go all-around and both hit above 39 is a big-time asset - especially in a deep field like this one.
Rotation One - Vault (49.100)
Carolina came out strong on vault, setting the tone early with a 49.100 - their second-best rotation score of the night. JoJo Valahovic continues to be a weapon on this event, sticking a 9.900 for the second time this season to take home the individual title.
Kaya Forbes followed closely behind, helping secure a one-two finish for the Tar Heels. Vault has been a consistent strength for this group, and Sunday night was no exception.
Rotation Two - Bars (48.875)
Bars wasn’t UNC’s highest-scoring rotation of the night, but there were still highlights worth noting. Gwen Fink showed off her versatility with a 9.925 - tying for first on the event and marking the second time this season she’s gone 9.900 or better on bars.
Paige Prejean also delivered a big moment, notching a career-best 9.850. While the overall team score of 48.875 was their lowest of the meet, the top-end performances kept them in strong position heading into the second half.
Rotation Three - Beam (49.350)
Beam was where the Tar Heels truly separated themselves. UNC posted a season-high 49.350 in the third rotation - not just their best of the night, but a statement performance.
Fink once again led the charge, scoring a 9.950 to win the event outright. She was backed up by another 9.900+ routine, showcasing the team’s depth and poise on what is often the most mentally challenging apparatus.
When you can hit beam like that under pressure, you’re going to be in contention every week.
Rotation Four - Floor (49.050)
Closing out on floor, Carolina finished strong with a 49.050. Seabrooks delivered a 9.875 to earn second place on the event, while Forbes added another top-five finish with a 9.850.
Floor has been an area of growth for this squad, and performances like these show that they’re rounding into form at the right time. The energy, the execution, the landings - it all came together to seal the win.
Final Standings
- North Carolina - 196.375
- NC State - 196.100
- Auburn - 196.075
- Boise State - 194.825
This wasn’t just a win - it was a complete team performance across all four events. With standout individual efforts and a team score that continues to trend upward, UNC is showing they’re not just a top-15 team on paper. They’re proving it on the mat, one meet at a time.