Program records and career highs were shattered Monday night in Carmichael Arena. The UNC gymnastics team won its dual meet against NC State in the program’s home opener and got standout performances from Lali Dekanoidze and Julia Knower.

Dekanoidze was competing for the first time in 11 months after suffering a season-ending injury last February. The sophomore didn’t miss a beat, with her score of 9.975 on uneven bars breaking a program record. Dekanoidze also matched a career high on vault (9.900).

Sophomore Julia Knower took the all-around title with a career-high score of 39.450, which is also eighth-best all-around score in program history. Knower’s 9.850 on bars and 9.925 on floor (best in the meet) were her best scores ever in those events. She also posted the meet’s best score on balance beam (9.875).

Carolina’s team score of 196.225 is the program’s best ever in a home opener, beating a mark previously set in 2002.

After two meets in four days, the Tar Heels will now be off for two weeks until a tri-meet with Yale and UW-Stout in Carmichael Arena on January 23. The meet is scheduled for 6 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Ainsley Fauth

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