NC State gymnastics recorded a new season-high score of 196.500, in its tri-meet against William and Mary and Centenary Friday night at Reynolds Coliseum.
The Wolfpack not only easily took the night from Centenary, which had 189.250, and the Tribe at 192.975 but also created new season highs on the vault and bars. For the past few meets, the Pack had trouble hitting its stride during the first half of the meet. Tonight, the Pack scored a 48.925 on the vault and 49.300 on the bars.
“We did more of what we do in practice and so we made sure that we were really dialed in and we just kind of talked about sticking to what we know, what we do,” said head coach Kim Landrus. “We always run mock meets in practice and we just carried that through to competition today.”
On the vault, senior Drew Grantham and freshman Chloe Negrete had career highs. Both Grantham and Negrete upped their personal-best scores to a 9.825 and secured a tie at second place on the podium. Freshman Emily Shepard led the Pack on the vault, earning first place, 9.850.
Grantham also had another personal best on the bars, 9.850. Grantham placed fourth, following the three-way tie from teammates Shepard, junior Lauren Kent and sophomore Meredith Robinson, all three scoring 9.875. For Shepard and Robinson, their score marks a career high. Senior Melissa Brooker also had a season high, scoring 9.825.
“We approached [the bars] with a lot more confidence and we really stayed in our bubble,” Brooker said. “And I think that we followed our ques better and just really sold through the routine.”
The team collectively scored 49.025 on the beam. Grantham led the Pack in first place with a score of 9.850. Negrete placed second, earning a 9.825. Senior Alexis Beucler came in third with a final score of 9.800.
The Wolfpack kept up its strong performance throughout the meet and finished the night on the floor with a team score of 49.250. Grantham recorded another season high, 9.925, and placed first in the floor event. Shepard and Beucler tied for second place on the podium, 9.850. Junior Kasey Nelson and Kent also finished with strong scores, 9.825 and 9.800, respectively.
Recording three season highs out of four events, Grantham places first out of the all-arounder gymnasts with a personal best of 39.450. Kent followed closely behind, scoring her own personal best of 39.125.
The team plans to fine tune its performance for Sunday’s meet.
“Focusing on the details now,” Brooker said. “I think we have a good flow of our skills so just doing the little, small details.”
The Wolfpack quickly packs up to head onto the road for its Sunday quad-meet in Washington, DC to compete against Temple, Northern Illinois and EAGL George Washington. The meet will begin at 1 p.m.
Junior Lauren Kent performs on the uneven bars on Friday, Feb. 21 at Reynolds Coliseum. The Wolfpack took first place in the tri-meet against William & Mary and Centenary with a score of 196.500.
