Cal Narrowly Beats Gymnastics

Friday, February 20

Berkeley, Calif.

10:30 p.m.

North Carolina

196.750

196.800

Cal

February 21, 2026 | Women's Gymnastics

BERKELEY, Calif. – No. 15 University of North Carolina gymnastics returned to ACC competition Friday night against no. 17 Cal at Haas Pavilion. In a tightly contested meet that came down to the final performance, the Bears edged out the Tar Heels 196.800-196.750. The score marks the highest team score of the season for Carolina.

All-Around
Once again, both Gwen Fink and Sydney Seabrooks competed in the all-around for Carolina. Fink took home third in the all-around with a score of 39.300 with Seabrooks behind at 38.350.

Rotation One – Bars (49.150)
UNC started the night on bars posting a team score of 49.150. The Tar Heel seniors led the way for Carolina on the event. Paige Prejean recorded a career high 9.900 to take second on the event. Fink put together the team's second-best score on the event with a 9.875.

Rotation Two – Vault (49.125)
Despite it being their lowest score of the night, UNC still recorded above a 49.000 as a team on vault. In typical JoJo Valahovic fashion, the sophomore and reigning ACC Specialist of the Week led the way with a 9.900 to tie for the event win. Her performance marks her sixth score of a 9.900 or higher on vault this season.

Rotation Three – Floor (49.325)
The Tar Heels shined on floor putting together their highest event score on the night, 49.325. Sydney Seabrooks led the competition with a 9.925 to claim the outright event winner title. The freshman's performance is the sixth time this season she's posted a 9.900 or higher on floor. Kaya Forbes also had an impressive performance in the third rotation recording a 9.875.

Rotation Four – Beam (49.150)
Carolina closed out the night on beam. Jessica Naranjo stole the show with a 9.900 for the second time this season to earn the event win. Claire Stippich was right behind with a 9.850.

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