University of North Carolina Athletics
Friday, March 31
Denver, CO
9 p.m. ET (7 p.m. MT)
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NCAA Regionals - Individual
Photo by: Ashley Potts
Dekanoidze, Knower Dazzle In Denver At NCAA Regionals
March 31, 2023 | Women's Gymnastics
DENVER, Colo. – University of North Carolina gymnasts Lali Dekanoidze and Julia Knower impressed Friday night at NCAA Regionals, competing as individuals in Denver, Colorado, during the second day of the meet.
With the Tar Heels' team competition concluding last night in the first round, the sophomore duo qualified as individuals and competed in Session II inside Magness Arena on Denver's campus. It was the second year in a row both gymnasts received an individual bid.
Dekanoidze posted a 9.900 in her first rotation on vault, matching her career-high for the sixth time. Her score, which she has done four times this season, is tied for fourth all-time in UNC history.
She then proved why she was named First Team All-America on bars, recording a 9.950 on her signature event. Dekanoidze, who owns the school record at 9.975, has 11 scores of 9.900+ on bars this year. She tied for second overall in the regional's second round.
Knower began her meet on vault, tallying a 9.825 which was just off her season-best 9.850. She then moved on to bars where she earned a 9.800 before going on to score a 9.775 on beam.
Shining on floor in typical Knower style, her routine secured a score of 9.900 to mark her eighth routine above that threshold this year. She concluded the all-around with a final tally of 39.300, her fourth-highest performance during the 2023 campaign.
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
With the Tar Heels' team competition concluding last night in the first round, the sophomore duo qualified as individuals and competed in Session II inside Magness Arena on Denver's campus. It was the second year in a row both gymnasts received an individual bid.
Dekanoidze posted a 9.900 in her first rotation on vault, matching her career-high for the sixth time. Her score, which she has done four times this season, is tied for fourth all-time in UNC history.
She then proved why she was named First Team All-America on bars, recording a 9.950 on her signature event. Dekanoidze, who owns the school record at 9.975, has 11 scores of 9.900+ on bars this year. She tied for second overall in the regional's second round.
Knower began her meet on vault, tallying a 9.825 which was just off her season-best 9.850. She then moved on to bars where she earned a 9.800 before going on to score a 9.775 on beam.
Shining on floor in typical Knower style, her routine secured a score of 9.900 to mark her eighth routine above that threshold this year. She concluded the all-around with a final tally of 39.300, her fourth-highest performance during the 2023 campaign.
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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