The UNC gymnastics team, ranked No. 25 in the latest national poll, backed up that ranking by taking its first meet title of the season Friday night, winning a tri-meet in Carmichael Arena over Towson and Pittsburgh.

The Tar Heels and Tigers stayed close throughout, with UNC’s 49.225 team score on floor exercise boosting them past Towson on the last rotation of the night. Freshman Julia Knower’s 9.900 on floor, the highest score of any Carolina gymnast in that discipline this season, sealed the win. Knower also took a share of the title on balance beam with a 9.875, splitting the title with Towson’s Jenna Weitz.

Junior Elizabeth Culton took the individual beam title with a 9.875, while freshman star Lali Dekanoidze once again showed out with a title on the vault. Dekanoidze also took the all-around title Friday night with a 39.450 total score. It’s her second all-around win this season.

“Lali continues to do some great things,” said head coach Danna Durante.

Up next for the team is a challenging tri-meet down south with No. 9 Alabama and No. 18 Western Michigan on February 4.

“Excited for rest the next couple of days,” Durante said. “Excited about how we did, and really looking forward to the next step.”

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

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