In its annual Pink Meet where those who have battled or are currently battling cancer are honored, No. 20 NC State gymnastics took down Pittsburgh 196.475-193.600. Multiple Wolfpack gymnasts set career highs and season bests on the way to the Pack’s second conference win of the year.
Sophomore Ashley Knight continued her strong sophomore campaign with two first-place finishes. On the season, Knight has five first-place finishes, surpassing the four she had during her All-ACC freshman season.
The Wolfpack started the meet strong, outscoring the Panthers 48.925-48.500 on the vault. Knight placed first with a score of 9.900 and junior Meg Adler placed second with a season-best 9.800.
On the bars, the Wolfpack matched its season-high with a score of 49.175 to Pitt’s 48.800. Freshman Caroline Volk took first place with a career-high 9.900 while sophomore Katie Harper took second with a score of 9.875.
After setting her career high last week with a score of 9.825 against then-No.8 California, Volk took her bars routine to the next level to give the Wolfpack momentum going into its next event.
NC State extended its lead on the beam where it outscored Pitt 49.050-48.100. Sophomore Maddie Hall claimed first as she tied her season-best of 9.850. Graduate Chloe Negrete placed third with a score of 9.825 and senior Peyton Childs posted a career-high 9.800.
Earlier in the season Negrete was the one leading the way for the Pack in most events but now the Wolfpack has found more balance in its lineup which should bode well when the Pack competes for the ACC title.
The Pack’s largest margin of victory came on the floor where it outperformed the Panthers 49.325-48.200. Knight earned her second first-place finish of the night with a 9.900 and freshman Ava Myers took second with a career-high 9.875 which tied Negrete. All six gymnasts who competed on the floor scored 9.800 or higher for the first time this season.
After starting the season 1-3, the Wolfpack has split its last four meets with all of its losses coming against ranked opponents. After winning the ACC Championship last season, NC State will have a much tougher time repeating after the conference added programs California and Stanford who boast strong gymnastics programs that have already beat the Wolfpack this year.
Next, the Wolfpack will continue its grueling schedule as it travels to Clemson, South Carolina to take on the No. 24 Tigers. NC State faced Clemson earlier in the season and the Tigers narrowly outscored the Wolfpack 195.350-195.000 to place third while the Pack placed last. The meet is on Friday at 7 p.m.
