The UNC gymnastics team posted its best team score in 18 years Saturday at NC State, winning 196.625-196.350.

“It was a fantastic competition,” said head coach Danna Durante. “Two teams battling back and forth. You could see one team hit, and the next team would just try to do that and better.”

Freshman star Lali Dekanoidze, fresh off winning yet another EAGL Gymnast of the Week award, won her fourth all-around title of the season with a 39.475. She won at least a share of three event titles, winning on beam and floor outright while sharing the vault title with teammate and fellow freshman Julia Knower. Knower is the reigning EAGL Freshman of the Week.

Dekanoidze set a career-high score on floor with a 9.90, and matched that on beam.

“I think they mentioned [Dekanoidze’s] name five or six times at the end,” Durante said. “Another 39.475, so incredible score. She just continues to do great things.”

It was an all-around strong performance from the Tar Heels. The team posted scores of 49 or above on all four events, the first time they have accomplished that this season. Knower, Kate Greene and Jay Weil all set career-bests on vault, while Jamie Shearer set a career-best on beam. With the win over the Wolfpack, UNC is now 6-0 against EAGL competition in 2022.

The team will celebrate Senior Day in its last home meet on Thursday, February 24 at 6:45 p.m. when West Virginia visits Carmichael Arena.

 

Featured image via UNC Gymnastics on Twitter

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Danna Durante Named UNC's New Head Gymnastics Coach
UNC reached into the depths of corporate America to find its new head gymnastics coach, as Danna Durante — who spent the last four years recruiting executive talent for Fortune 500 companies — was announced Friday as the new leader of the Tar Heel program. Durante is a 20-year coaching veteran who most recently led […]
UNC Gymnastics Senior Lily Dean Earns Inaugural Galvin Scholarship
The UNC athletic department joined with the Rams Club on Thursday to award senior Lily Dean with the first ever Derek and Debra Galvin Gymnastics Scholarship. Part of the FORevHER Tar Heels women’s initiative, the endowed scholarship was given to Dean for her team leadership and the way she embodies the Galvins’ character, values and beliefs. […]
Gymnastics: Khazia Hislop Named Second Team All-American in Floor Events
UNC junior gymnast Khazia Hislop was recognized Wednesday by the Women’s College Gymnastics Association as a Second Team All-American for her work in the Floor Exercise program. This marks Hislop’s second consecutive year earning the honor in that event, making her the first Tar Heel to do so since Courtney Bumpers did it in both […]
Lighting and Video Board Upgrades Coming to Carmichael Arena
Carmichael Arena on the UNC campus is undergoing significant lighting and video board upgrades this summer, which the school says will create “an enhanced and exciting game day atmosphere.” The new lighting inside the arena, which has already been installed, is an LED system with the capability to make the arena “awash in Carolina blue […]
On Air Today: UNC Gymnastics Sophomore Julia Knower and Rowing Junior Kelly Baker
UNC Gymnastics sophomore Julia Knower and Rowing junior Kelly Baker spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, January 19th. They discussed UNCUT Chapel Hill, a platform for student athletes to tell their stories, and discussed Julia's recent article. 
Career Highs Help UNC Gymnastics Defeats NC State in Home Opener
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. CAROLINA VICTORY!! The GymHeels post the highest score for a home opener in program history, beginning @EAGL_Gymnastics […]
UNC Gymnastics Unveils 2022-23 Schedule; Features 5 Home Meets
In her first year at the helm of UNC gymnastics, head coach Danna Durante and her team turned in several program-best results and earned a spot in the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship’s regional rounds. In year two, the Tar Heels goals are set even higher. Durante and the Carolina program revealed their 2023 schedule on […]
UNC's Julia Knower Named WCGA Regional Gymnast of the Year
Following a breakout season for both herself and her Carolina gymnastics team, freshman Julia Knower was named the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association Region Six Gymnast of the Year on Thursday. Julia Knower is the WCGA 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟔 𝐆𝐲𝐦𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 👑 pic.twitter.com/FPp99jWRgX — Carolina Gymnastics (@uncgymnastics) April 7, 2022 Knower was one of several […]
UNC's Lali Dekanoidze and Taylor Moreno Each Earn Conference Honors
Two star UNC women earned recognition for their performances during the past weekend. Gymnastics freshman Lali Dekanoidze, already a four-time East Atlantic Gymnastics League Gymnast of the Week, won Rookie of the Week honors Tuesday for her performance in a win at NC State last Saturday. Dekanoidze and freshman teammate Julia Knower are currently ranked […]
UNC Gymnastics Sets Season-High Score in Win At NC State
The UNC gymnastics team posted its best team score in 18 years Saturday at NC State, winning 196.625-196.350. WHAT 👏 A 👏 MEET ‼️ Road victory over NC State ✅Highest team score since Feb. 27, 2004 ✅#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/sStwC4U7Sl — Carolina Gymnastics (@uncgymnastics) February 19, 2022 “It was a fantastic competition,” said head coach […]
›