Chapel Hill, N.C. - Showdown in the West: UNC Gymnastics Takes on Cal
The No. 15 North Carolina Tar Heels are gearing up for an exciting clash against No.
17 Cal in a pivotal ACC gymnastics meet this Friday night. As the action unfolds at 10:30 p.m.
ET, fans can catch all the excitement streaming on ACCNX.
Last season, these two teams locked horns twice, with Cal narrowly edging out UNC at the Elevate the Stage event and again at the ACC Championships, where the Bears took second place, leaving the Tar Heels in third. This matchup promises to be another thrilling chapter in their rivalry.
Riding high from their impressive victory at the Metroplex Challenge, where they outperformed two ranked teams and Boise State, the Tar Heels are looking to maintain their momentum.
Key players JoJo Valahovic and Gwen Fink are at the forefront as UNC returns to ACC competition. Valahovic, recently named ACC Specialist of the Week for the second consecutive week, has been a standout performer. Her consistent excellence on vault, scoring 9.900 or higher five times this season, and tying her career-high of 9.950 on beam against NC State, has been instrumental for the team.
Gwen Fink, another powerhouse for Carolina, captured the all-around title at Metroplex with a score of 39.325 and achieved a career-high 9.950 on beam. Her contributions have been vital in keeping the Tar Heels competitive on all fronts.
Tar Heel Highlights:
- JoJo Valahovic, dominating the vault, ranks No. 6 nationally and leads the ACC.
- Sydney Seabrooks has been a revelation on the floor, consistently scoring 9.900 or higher, and is tied for 4th in the NCAA.
- The team ranks impressively in the top 25 across all five events: Vault (No. 10), All-Around (No.
15), Beam (No. 17), Floor (No. 19), and Bars (No.
25).
The Tar Heels entered the season with high expectations, picked to finish fourth in the ACC Preseason Poll. They've already set a program record with a score of 196.675 in their season opener at Florida, securing second place.
As the season progresses, keep an eye on rising stars like Sydney Seabrooks and seasoned performers like Gwen Fink, who continue to push the boundaries of what this team can achieve.
Stay connected with Carolina Gymnastics through their social media channels for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes action. This season, the Tar Heels are not just competing; they're making a statement.