North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State
Auburn
Pack Posts Best Season-Opening Score in Program History at Auburn
1/9/2026 10:44:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
AUBURN, Ala. – NC State gymnastics opened its 2026 season with a score of 196.075 on Friday night at Neville Arena, marking the highest season-opening score in program history. The Wolfpack fell to Auburn, 197.150-196.075, but turned in a performance filled with career highs and collegiate debuts to begin the new campaign.
Syniya Thomas led the way for NC State, competing on vault, bars and floor while setting or matching career-best scores on all three events. Her night was highlighted by a 9.925 on floor, her second career score of 9.900 or higher.
Ashley Knight also posted a 9.925, earning the score on vault to tie for second place on the event while matching her personal high.
Bars (48.950)
NC State opened the 2026 season on bars, led by Madeline Reid's 9.875. The senior's score earned her a share of the event title alongside Auburn's Marissa Neal.
Jenna Rusk made her collegiate debut on the apparatus, scoring a 9.775, while Katie Harper closed the rotation with a 9.800 to tie for third place with Auburn's Charlotte Booth.
Vault (49.150)
The Wolfpack followed with a strong showing on vault, recording its first 49-plus score of the season. Knight capped the rotation by matching her career high with a 9.925, marking NC State's first score of 9.900 or better in 2026. Her performance tied her for second place with Auburn's Sophia Bell.
Thomas and Lauren Wright also impressed on the apparatus, each earning 9.850s. Wright's score set a new career high, while Thomas matched her personal best. Autumn Rardin debuted for the Pack with a 9.725.
Auburn's Paige Zancan won the event with a 9.975.
Floor (49.250)
NC State's strongest event of the night came on floor, where the Pack scored a 49.250 in the third rotation. Thomas closed the lineup with a career-best 9.925, earning third place on the podium.
Emerson Fisk made her collegiate debut in the event with a 9.825, while freshman Rardin added a 9.850. Elle Hadrick also delivered a strong routine, posting a 9.875.
Auburn's Sophia Bell and Sophia Greaves tied for first in the event with 9.950s.
Beam (48.725)
The Wolfpack closed the meet on beam with a score of 48.725, led by matching 9.850s from Thomas and Caroline Volk. Thomas' mark capped a night of three career highs and placed both gymnasts in a four-way tie for second on the podium.
Adasyn Tackett made her first collegiate appearance on beam, opening her NC State career with a 9.750.
Auburn's Alex Irvine claimed the event title with a 9.900.
Up Next
NC State returns to Raleigh for its 2026 home debut and ACC opener, hosting Clemson on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 4 p.m. The meet will air live on ACCNX.
To stay up to date with NC State Gymnastics, follow @wolfpackgymnastics on Instagram, @pack_gymnastics on X, and @packgymnastics on TikTok.
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