Pivotal week for ACC Gymnastics, NC State secures regular season title

With the "inaugural" regular season of ACC gymnastics already determined, pivotal meets still remain for all the of the programs. NC State secured the regular season title with a top 10 worthy performance and score that was neck and neck with Clemson going into the last rotation. Clemson was forced to count a fall on beam and Emily Shepherd put up a career and program record performance to lead the Wolfpack to victory.

Emily became the first Wolfpack gymnast to score 9.90 or above on all four events, including a career high 9.975 on bars and an all-around score of 39.750 to easily win the all-around. The meet finished with NC State winning the meet and ACC regular season title with an impressive 197.575 to Clemson's 196.00. A lot of positive things happened for the Tigers and their final score keeps them in good position for the postseason. They are currently ranked 24th in the country and State pulled up with their score to tie Clemson at 24. However, the rules may not allow for the Wolfpack score to count towards their postseason ranking unless they score higher in their next home meet. Part of the NQS scoring system eliminates each team's highest home score, to keep things fair and impartial. 

As was the case for North Carolina last week, as they secured their first win in ACC play, ending a 7 meet losing streak. The Tar Heels put on an impressive display versus the Pitt Panthers to even the season series. A season high 196.625 was enough to overcome Pitt's 196.125 which also came down to the last rotation. Pitt's inability to overcome an early miscue on beam turned out to be the difference in the meet. The Tar Heels were very excited with the victory and look to take the momentum into the first showdown at Clemson in history. They will need to put up another impressive score in order to keep their postseason hopes alive. Currently they are ranked 46th and Pitt elevated to 49th. Unfortunately for the Tar Heels their score, while raising their season average, won’t count toward their postseason dreams unless they can beat that score in the home finale versus Kentucky next month. 

Julia Knower won the all-around, while the usuals of Gwen Fink, Lali Dekanoidze, and Isabelle Schaefer led the way with impressive routines and scores being specialists for the meets. Five routines scored 9.9 or above for the Tar Heels. In this victory, and what is needed for the team success, is the contribution of the supporting cast. Jamie Shearer scored a 9.825 on bars, Cory Shinohara scored a 9.85 on vault in only her second competition since coming back less than a year out from her second ACL surgery. Cammie Rueda, Kaya Forbes, Amy Wozniak, Taylor Schulze, and Hallie Thompson also poured in routines worthy of 9.8 or above. A true team win for a close knit group. Health and consistency will pave the way for their future successes. 

This week, as mentioned, UNC will head to Clemson and NC state will be on the road to Pitt on Sunday, to conclude the ACC regular season. To no surprise, NC State swept the week’s awards with Emily Shepherd being Gymnast of the Week, Chloe Negrete, Specialist of the Week, and Ashley Knight, Newcomer of the Week. All eyes will be peeled to see who the stars of this week will be.