Gymnastics Finishes Second In Home Quad Meet

Saturday, January 22

Chapel Hill

4:00 p.m.

North Carolina

196.475

196.850

Missouri

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

January 22, 2022 | Women's Gymnastics

Full Results Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2 Photo Gallery 3

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Carolina gymnastics team returned to Carmichael Arena on Saturday afternoon and posted its best team score since March 17, 2018. The Tar Heels placed second in the quad meet with a team score of 196.475, behind No. 8 Missouri (196.850), but captured victories over George Washington (194.825) and Brown (191.025).

Elizabeth Culton, who won the individual uneven bars title for the second meet in a row, led Carolina with its highest scores on bars (9.90), floor (9.875) and beam (9.925).

Cory Shinohara and Lali Dekanoidze led Carolina on vault to open the meet, each earning 9.80.

On bars, Dekanoidze matched her career-best with 9.875, while Sophie Silverstein earned a 9.75 in her first career lineup appearance on the apparatus.

Beam proved to be the best rotation of the night for the Tar Heels, posting a season-best 49.350 and counting no score below 9.80.

Despite struggling on floor in the first two meets of the season, Carolina delivered on the event to finish off the meet. Three Tar Heels either matched or set a new career-best in the rotation, highlighted by three scores of 9.875 from Hannah Nam, Dekanoidze and Culton.

PERFORMANCE NOTES:

Dakanoidze placed second in the all-around, setting a new career-best of 39.450
Four Tar Heels set new career-bests in the meet: Kate Greene (9.775 – Vault), Jay Weil (9.775 – Vault), Shailyn St. Brice (9.850 – Floor), Dakanoidze (9.875 – Floor)
Carolina's team scores of 49.325 on floor and 49.350 on beam were both season-bests
Tonight's team score of 196.475 by the Tar Heels is the best score of any EAGL team in 2022

HEAR FROM THE HEELS:
On tonight's performance…
"Tonight was a total team effort. The team rallied were aggressive. Vault and bars were good, not great, but solid. For them to come back on beam and finish the meet strong, which is an area I think we have lacked a little bit, was big. We started strong and built throughout the meet and that is what our goal has been." – head coach Danna Durante

On the 49.350 team score the Tar Heels posted on beam…
"That is just who they are. They're aggressive and they're confident on beam and so clean. It's fun to coach them. They make great adjustments and they put forth great effort every day. It is so fun to watch them come out and trust themselves and be aggressive." – head coach Danna Durante

On posting two 9.90s on beam in the first three meets of the season…
"My 'signature' event is usually bars, but I have a new sense of confidence when I do beam, especially in Carmichael but also in college in general. I think my team really helps me. I always hear them say 'I got your back' or 'I trust you' to me before I go, and I think that has helped me a lot. I feel really confident when I compete beam." – freshman Lali Dekanoidze

Overall thoughts on the meet and what it means going forward for Carolina…
"I think the meet when really well for our team. Now we need to stay at this level and even improve. I think we all did well. We just need to work on landings and being there for each other. I think we will keep on improving." – freshman Lali Dekanoidze

On what it felt like to be back in Carmichael Arena…
"It was amazing. I was really excited to have another home meet after being on the road. The energy is different, and I think being in front of all our fans really makes a difference. I think we used that energy today to put out a good performance." – junior Elizabeth Culton

UP NEXT
The Tar Heels return to Carmichael this Friday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. to host Pitt and Towson. Admission is free.

Stay up to date with Carolina gymnastics on Twitter and Instagram @UNCGymnastics.