ACC Gymnastics Week 2 Recap: Clemson Tigers roar with 196.325 program debut

Let’s just say Clemson knows how to make an entrance.

The Tigers burst onto the ACC gymnastics scene on Friday night with the highest team score of any NCAA program’s inaugural meet and also broke into the top 20 in the nation.

Keep reading for a recap of all four ACC meets in Week 2.

William & Mary @ Clemson (Program Debut)

Final score: Clemson: 196.325 – William & Mary: 190.050

In the Tigers’ first-ever performance, Clemson beat William & Mary, 196.325-190.050.

On vault, junior Lauren Rutherford (transfer – NC State) showed off her upgraded Yurchenko 1.5, which earned her a 9.825 and the event title, sophomore Molly Arnold also performed a 1.5 (9.775), and sophomore Trinity Brown anchored with a Yurchenko full (9.8). 

Freshman Lilly Lippeatt made her bars debut and notched a huge 9.9 to win the event title. Her performance was highlighted by her Ray to Pak and giant full to stuck double back. Graduate Kaitlin DeGuzman followed closely behind with a 9.875, showcasing her beautiful lines and a big Jaeger to bail. Clemson posted a 49.225 on event two – its first score of 49+ as a team on any event.

The Tigers almost broke into the 49s on beam, earning a 48.950. Senior Rebecca Wells earned a 9.875 and the event title with a stuck double full dismount. And sophomore Brie Clark anchored for the team with a 9.85, showcasing her power with a standing front tuck to straddle jump.

The Tigers saved the highest event score for last with a 49.275 on floor. Clark’s high-energy routine, complete with a huge double layout, earned her a 9.9 and the event title. Arnold followed closely behind with a 9.875 after showcasing a full-in.

“It has been nearly two years of building to this moment, so the energy and excitement were high,” head coach Amy Smith said. “We were so ready to get out there and show the gymnastics community what Clemson Gymnastics is.”

After breaking the inaugural meet record in Week 1, Clemson is 19th in the country.

NC State @ Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad

Final score: California: 197.875, Michigan State: 196.725, BYU: 196.100, NC State: 195.675

NC State (195.675) came in fourth to No. 19 BYU (196.1), No. 14 Michigan State (196.725), and No. 6 Cal (197.875), who won the quad, at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate quad.

The Wolfpack scored a 49 on floor after anchor Chloe Negrete notched a 9.9, and senior Krista Zultevicz earned a 9.8. On vault, the team posted a 49.175 to move into second place for the meet. Negrete anchored again for the Wolfpack with her second 9.9 of the night, and freshman Ashley Knight posted a career high 9.875 for her front handspring pike half.

On bars, the Wolfpack lost some steam and posted a 48.750. Alexis Ortega bounced back after a fall last week to lead the team with a 9.8. Ending their night on beam, anchor Negrete led the team with a 9.825 followed by Emily Shepard’s 9.8.

North Carolina @ Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad

Final score: Arizona: 196.475, Boise State: 196.250, Nebraska: 195.875, North Carolina: 195.150

North Carolina (195.150) came in fourth to No. 16 Nebraska (195.875), Boise State (196.250), and Arizona (196.475), who won the quad, at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate quad.

The Tar Heels started on floor, where Bella Miller bounced back after last week’s fall to score the team high of 9.825. On vault, Lali Dekanoidze and Julia Knower led the Tar Heels with matching 9.825s.

Bars was a highlight for UNC, with two scores of 9.9 or above. Isabelle Schaefer delivered a stunning routine with a stuck full-twisting double back dismount to match her career high of 9.925, and Dekanoidze also notched a 9.9 for the Tar Heels. A couple of mistakes caused the team to fall just short of a 49. The Tar Heels ended the night on beam, where sophomore Gwen Fink led the team with a 9.8, and freshman Jessica Naranjo made her collegiate debut on the event with a 9.725 after a 9.650 on bars.

Kent State @ Pitt

Final score: Kent State: 194.550 – Pitt: 193.700

Pitt (193.700) came up short against Kent State (194.550) in its home opener Saturday. 

The Panthers started on vault, which was highlighted by Jah’Liyah Bedminster’s 9.8 to secure the event title. On bars, they posted their highest team event score of the day with a 49.025. Freshman Emily Todd scored a career high 9.9, grabbing the event title with a stuck blind full to double back. Jordyn Ewing and Bedminster both posted 9.8s.

For the second consecutive week, the Panthers struggled on beam with three falls and having to count two. Ewing led the way for the team with a 9.825, which tied for the event title. On floor, Bedminster scored a 9.85 with a big double back and clean 1.5 to front punch layout. Todd followed closely with a 9.825.