Season-worst performance on beam plagues UNC gymnastics in loss to N.C. State

It all came down to the last event for UNC gymnastics. 

The Tar Heels found themselves in a 0.225 deficit. All they had left was beam. 

But after scoring road season-highs in their first three rotations, the Tar Heels recorded an overall season-low score of 48.025 on the event that's typically been the most dependable. 

“We've been good everywhere, but that event has just been really rock solid," head coach Danna Durante said.

Struggles on beam sealed the No. 24 UNC gymnastics team’s 197.025-195.500 loss to No. 18 N.C. State on Friday night at Reynolds Coliseum. The season-low on beam was seven-tenths of a point less than the squad's former low of 48.700. Out of six routines, the Tar Heels counted two falls, sealing the win for the Wolfpack. 

North Carolina started the meet off on bars. In her third appearance at UNC, junior Kentucky transfer Claire Stippich recorded a career-high 9.85 on bars. Senior Lali Dekanoidze stuck a double layout dismount to warrant a 9.925, giving North Carolina an early 49.250-49.175 lead into the second rotation.

The Tar Heels linked arms along the vault runway to watch the second rotation. 

Senior Julia Knower and Dekanoidze tied their season-highs with well-executed Yurchenko fulls, and junior Kaya Forbes tied a career-high 9.9 en route to a 49.175. On floor, UNC added a third road season-high of 49.05.

Still, the Wolfpack edged the Tar Heels. UNC had one opportunity left. 

Beam started like any other rotation, by rewriting the record books. First-year JoJo Valahovic stuck her one-and-a-half full dismount. She was swarmed by her teammates after tying a career-high 9.95.

After Valahovic, the Tar Heels looked unstable. A few wobbles turned into falls. There was a pressure to perform. 

Durante said her team wanted to give the seniors a satisfying finale against a conference foe and continue their momentum, but one falter led to another, and the Tar Heels’ chance for victory was gone.

Sophomore Neve King fell on her beam mount which resulted in a 9.25.

“When you have a mistake, everybody can tense up a little bit,” Durante said. “We haven't really had a whole lot of that because we haven't had a whole lot of mistakes on beam."

Junior Gwen Fink slipped on a technical triple series next. After her 9.075 was finalized, N.C. State’s lead was insurmountable. 

First-year Regan McBride anchored the rotation. She stumbled quickly into her routine which earned a 9.125. 

Durante emphasized the importance of her players controlling their emotions despite the tough end. 

Post-meet, the head coach gave her team two options for how to respond.

“You can either crumble and tap out or you can dig in, put your head down, work and get stronger,” Durante said.

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