Raleigh, N.C.

On Saturday afternoon, NC State’s gymnastics team made history by winning the first ACC regular season championship. They achieved this by defeating No. 22 Clemson with a record-breaking score of 197.575 to 196.600.

In the evening, Emily Shepard achieved a remarkable feat by earning the highest all-around score in the history of the program, totaling 39.750. This also set a record for the highest all-around score from an ACC school. Shepard, who has won four all-around titles this season, also made history by being the first NC State gymnast to score a 9.9 or higher on every event in a single meet.

The Pack posted season-high scores on vault, bars and beam with 197.575 ranking second all-time amongst NC State’s team totals in 44 years of gymnastics.

Vault (49.275)

The Wolfpack began the competition on the vault, earning a score of 49.250 in their first rotation. Shepard was the top performer for the Pack, receiving a 9.900 and tying for second place with Clemson’s all-arounder, Rebecca Wells.

The Wolfpack achieved four scores of 9.850 or above, with Chloe Negrete and Krista Zultevicz both earning a 9.850, while freshman Ashley Knight received a 9.875. NC State’s overall score was boosted by a 9.775 from Maddie Hall, who returned to compete on vault after the Pack’s season opener at Georgia.

Bars (49.450)

Shepard once again set the standard for the Wolfpack on the uneven bars, achieving a personal best score of 9.975. Meanwhile, Katie Harper earned a 9.900, her first time reaching this high in her career. In the second rotation, the Pack only took into account scores of 9.850 or above, with Kailee Adomaites earning a career-high 9.875 as the leadoff.

Madeline Reid and Alexis Ortega both earned a score of 9.850 for the Wolfpack, completing the team’s five recorded scores.

Beam (49.375)

NC State maintained its momentum on the balance beam, achieving a score of 49.375 which is the team’s second highest this season.

Shepard once again took the lead for NC State with a score of 9.950, followed by Negrete’s 9.900. Meg Adler achieved a personal best score of 9.850 in the leadoff position for the Pack, while Harper and Ortega ended their performances with scores of 9.850 and 9.825, respectively.

Floor (49.500)

NC State finished their performance on the floor with three scores of 9.9 or higher, with Negrete scoring a 9.950 in the anchor position. Knight achieved a career-high score of 9.900 for the Wolfpack, and Shepard ended her night with a strong score of 9.925. Hall set the pace for the team with a 9.875 in the lead-off position, while Zultevicz’s 9.850 completed the Pack’s impressive night.

Up Next

On Sunday, February 25, NC State will finish its ACC schedule by facing Pitt in a dual meet at 4 p.m.

The matinee on the coming Sunday will be shown on the ACC Network. This will be the fourth and last time that NC State’s regular season meet will be broadcasted nationally, which is the most among all ACC schools.

Source: wralsportsfan.com