NC State
NCAA Regional First Round vs. Western Michigan
Wolfpack Advances to Second Round of Athens Regional
4/1/2021 6:12:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
ATHENS, GA. - The NC State gymnastics team posted a 196.425 in the first round of the NCAA Athens Regional on Thursday, defeating Western Michigan to advance to the second round. Western Michigan recorded a 195.075.
The team's 196.425 was its second-highest score of the season and was earned behind three events where the team scored at least a 49.000
NC State opened the meet on vault with a 48.775. Madison Benson posted a 9.800 to take third place and Chloe Negrete tabbed a 9.825 for second. Emily Shepard led the way for the Wolfpack on the event, recording a 9.850 that was additionally good for the individual title.
On bars, the team compiled its highest score of the season on the event with a 49.325. The mark ties the third-highest bars score in NC State history and is its highest on the apparatus since 2004. All six members of the bars lineup scored a 9.825 or higher.
Carina Jordan, Kasey Nelson and Meredith Robinson each put up a 9.825 while Lauren Kent tied her season-high 9.875. Shepard tied her career best of 9.900, and Katie Cox set a career high with a 9.900. Cox and Shepard tied for the bars individual title, and Kent was part of a tie for third place on the event.
The Wolfpack recorded a 49.025 on beam, highlighted by three scores of 9.850. Negrete, Shepard and Nicole Webb posted the score to help NC State cross the 49.000 mark.
On floor, the team posted a 49.300. Jordan led off for NC State on the event with a strong 9.850, and fellow freshman Benson recorded a 9.800. Nelson tabbed a 9.825 on the apparatus.
Shepard earned her second 9.900 of the day, tying for second. The score marked the fourth time in the 2021 season that she has tabbed two 9.900s in one meet. Negrete anchored the floor lineup with a 9.925 that earned her the individual title.
Shepard tied her career-high all-around score with a 39.500, a mark that checks into the NC State record book as the eighth-highest all-around score in program history.
STRAIGHT FROM THE PACK: HEAD COACH KIM LANDRUS
"I'm really proud of this team," said head coach Kim Landrus. "At the beginning of the day, our motto was, 'Won't back down.' They came in here, and from beginning to end they didn't back down. The whole meet culminated on floor with great performances. It was such a great score, and we're really excited to have another opportunity to compete tomorrow.
"Each person on this team is such an important piece of the puzzle, and today all those pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly. When I reflect back on today, that statement that it was a total team effort couldn't be more true. We're just exicted for tomorrow!"
UP NEXT
NC State faces T-No. 1 Florida, No. 16 Illinois and No. 25 Central Michigan Friday, April 2 at 7 p.m. in the second round of the Athens Regional.
#GoPack | @Pack_Gymnastics
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