University of North Carolina Athletics
Monday, January 9
Chapel Hill, NC
6 p.m.
North Carolina
vs
NC State
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Gymnastics Starts EAGL Action, Hosts NC State In Home Opener
January 8, 2023 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – After competing in Las Vegas to kick off the 2023 season Friday afternoon, the University of North Carolina gymnastics team returns to Chapel Hill on Jan. 9 to host NC State at Carmichael Arena. The home opener, which marks the start of East Atlantic Gymnastics League action, is set to begin at 6 p.m. ET.
The meet will also be broadcast on ACC Network Extra with Matt Krause and Sydney Snead on call.Â
Monday will also serve as the team's cancer awareness meet with fans encouraged to donate to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center here. Admission is free and open to the public.
The Tar Heels checked in at No. 27 in the first WCGA poll, its best preseason ranking since 2007 and the highest among league competitors. UNC also led the EAGL preseason poll with 48 points and one first-place vote, just ahead of NC State and Temple which tied for second behind 46 points and one top vote apiece.Â
Carolina began its 2023 campaign on Jan. 6 in Las Vegas at the Super 16 presented by Ozone, the largest college gymnastics meet with 16 teams and over 300 gymnasts. The Tar Heels (194.625) placed third by topping Fisk (186.700) before falling to No. 20 Washington (195.475) and quad champion Southern Utah (195.800). Reigning WCGA Region Six Gymnast of the Year Julia Knower finished third in the all-around.Â
Freshman Kaya Forbes impressed in her collegiate debut, leading UNC with a 9.800 on vault to tie for third overall while also recording a 9.850 on floor. All-American Elizabeth Culton had a pair of team-high performances on beam (9.825) and floor (9.875) as Lali Dekanoidze notched a 9.850 on bars in her first showing after a season-ending injury last year.
As the program turns its attention to league competition, UNC is eager to build upon the conference success it experienced throughout 2022. Last season, Carolina was crowned the outright EAGL regular season champion after posting an undefeated 7-0 record. Five gymnasts also earned a combined 12 All-EAGL honors during the postseason.
The meet will signal the season opener for in-state rival NC State, which checked in at No. 2 and No. 31 in the EAGL and WCGA preseason polls, respectively. The Wolfpack finished fourth at the league championship a season ago and produced 10 all-conference honorees, also returning two-time EAGL champion Emily Shepard.
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
The meet will also be broadcast on ACC Network Extra with Matt Krause and Sydney Snead on call.Â
Monday will also serve as the team's cancer awareness meet with fans encouraged to donate to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center here. Admission is free and open to the public.
The Tar Heels checked in at No. 27 in the first WCGA poll, its best preseason ranking since 2007 and the highest among league competitors. UNC also led the EAGL preseason poll with 48 points and one first-place vote, just ahead of NC State and Temple which tied for second behind 46 points and one top vote apiece.Â
Carolina began its 2023 campaign on Jan. 6 in Las Vegas at the Super 16 presented by Ozone, the largest college gymnastics meet with 16 teams and over 300 gymnasts. The Tar Heels (194.625) placed third by topping Fisk (186.700) before falling to No. 20 Washington (195.475) and quad champion Southern Utah (195.800). Reigning WCGA Region Six Gymnast of the Year Julia Knower finished third in the all-around.Â
Freshman Kaya Forbes impressed in her collegiate debut, leading UNC with a 9.800 on vault to tie for third overall while also recording a 9.850 on floor. All-American Elizabeth Culton had a pair of team-high performances on beam (9.825) and floor (9.875) as Lali Dekanoidze notched a 9.850 on bars in her first showing after a season-ending injury last year.
As the program turns its attention to league competition, UNC is eager to build upon the conference success it experienced throughout 2022. Last season, Carolina was crowned the outright EAGL regular season champion after posting an undefeated 7-0 record. Five gymnasts also earned a combined 12 All-EAGL honors during the postseason.
The meet will signal the season opener for in-state rival NC State, which checked in at No. 2 and No. 31 in the EAGL and WCGA preseason polls, respectively. The Wolfpack finished fourth at the league championship a season ago and produced 10 all-conference honorees, also returning two-time EAGL champion Emily Shepard.
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Gymnastics
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/ Women's Gymnastics
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