NC State gymnastics took over Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina, defeating the No. 20 Tigers 196.300-195.600. This was the first meeting between the two programs and the Pack came away with the upset victory over the Tigers.
The matchup between NC State (3-4, 3-0) and Clemson (3-1, 2-1) was broadcasted on ACC Network with the Tigers ranked in the top 25 and undefeated, but NC State had something to prove to the NCAA gymnastics world. Graduate students Chloe Negrete, Emily Shepherd and Alexis Ortega dominated all around the gym and led their team to victory.
The red-and-white started out on the uneven bars while the Tigers took on the vault. All six NC State gymnasts scored 9.725 or above, with Sheperd taking the cake with a 9.850 and followed closely by Ortega with a 9.825. Two Clemson players tied the 9.850, robbing Shepherd of the event title.
Up next, the Pack took on the vault and Negrete took the event title with a 9.875. Freshman Ashley Knight followed the veteran with a 9.850, capping off an impressive week from the rookie. Knight was crowned the ACC Newcomer of the Week — the first in NC State history. The freshman has become a staple for the Pack, competing in the vault and floor events at all of the red-and-white’s meets so far this season.
It was during the third rotation that the Pack was able to get ahead of the Tigers. Shepherd and Negret once again shined on the floor event, tying for the event title with a 9.900. Knight also put up an impressive routine, finishing 0.025 behind the veteran duo with a score of 9.875. With a season-high team score of 49.350, NC State elevated itself over Clemson and put it in a solid position for the final event.
Clemson didn’t go down without a fight though, absolutely dominating on its floor rotation — no Tiger scored below a 9.800 in their routines. On the opposite side of the gym, the Pack had the perfect lineup on the beam to throw all the Tigers’ scores out of the window.
Sophomore Meg Adler, junior Macy Jennings, freshman Katie Harper and Ortega all put up solid performances on the beam, enough for Sheperd to take the stand and only need a 9.400 to win the meet. Shepherd did that and more, finishing with a 9.800 and was followed up by Negrete with a 9.825, securing the upset over the Tigers.
Despite not leading until the third rotation, the Pack looked calm and collected throughout all the events. Shepherd was crowned ACC Gymnast of the Week the same day as Knight’s awarding, becoming the third and fourth NC State weekly honor this season.
The team will travel back to Raleigh to take on in-state rival UNC-Chapel Hill on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 4 p.m. and is available to watch on the ACC Network.
