North Carolina was a dark-horse team in 2025, earning its highest ranking since 2006 when it placed 20th. As the Tar Heels head into 2026, a freshman class will aim to continue what the team started last season and make waves in the ACC.
2025 Rewind
No. 24 overall | No. 3 at ACC | No. 22 in regular season | Regionals round two
North Carolina had its best finish under head coach Danna Durante in 2025, finishing just outside of the top 20. The Tar Heels had the potential to upset host Alabama in regionals round two, but a low-scoring bars rotation headlined by a fall from its top bar worker Lali Dekanoidze saw North Carolina’s season come to an end.
Losses & Gains
| RETURNING |
| Seniors: Gwen Fink, Kaya Forbes, Paige Prejean, Claire Stippich, Amy Wozniak |
| Juniors: Elly King, Neve King, Jessica Naranjo, Molly Neinstein, Camryn Rueda |
| Sophomores: TaeLyn Canty, Regan McBride, JoJo Valahovic |
| IN |
| Freshmen: Hannah Aoki, Jillian Fisher, Sydney Seabrooks, Anna Pearl Stanley |
| OUT |
| Graduated: Lali Dekanoidze (VT/UB), Julia Knower (AA), Bella Miller (FX), Isabelle Schaefer (UB), Taylor Schulze (BB) |
| INJURY UPDATE |
| McBride, who competed beam every meet for the Tar Heels in 2025, suffered a torn left labrum in May. Her status is unknown at this time. |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2025 Event Ranking: No. 22 | NQS: 49.130 | Average: 49.036 | High: 49.425
| Event Overview: Vault was the Tar Heels’ second-best event in 2025, culminating in a season-high score at the ACC championships. They return national qualifier Forbes as well as Valahovic’s 10.0 start value, but depth could be an issue for North Carolina this season with the loss of two of its final NQSs on this event. | ||
| Locks: Kaya Forbes, Jojo Valahovic | ||
| Contenders: Hannah Aoki, Jillian Fisher, Elly King, Neve King, Paige Prejean, Sydney Seabrooks | ||
| Wildcards: TaeLyn Canty, Gwen Fink |
Bars
2025 Event Ranking: No. 14 | NQS: 49.290 | Average: 49.113 | High: 49.475
| Event Overview: Bars made the highest jump in 2025, moving up 22 places from its 2024 final rankings. Despite setting a program record at ACCs, North Carolina suffered from inconsistency in key situations. With Dekanoidze’s graduation, this event will look very different in 2026, and it may take a few different looks to find the ideal six. Expect it to trend down at the start. | ||
| Locks: Gwen Fink, Neve King, Claire Stippich | ||
| Contenders: Jillian Fisher, Kaya Forbes, Sydney Seabrooks, Anna Pearl Stanley | ||
| Wildcards: Hannah Aoki, TaeLyn Canty, Jessica Naranjo, Molly Neinstein, Paige Prejean, Camryn Rueda, Amy Wozniak |
Beam
2025 Event Ranking: No. 23 | NQS: 49.140 | Average: 48.968 | High: 49.350
| Event Overview: Like bars, beam went from one of North Carolina’s lowest-ranked events to one of its best in 2025. The Tar Heels lose one of their top NQS scores in Knower, but this event is where freshmen like Aoki and Seabrooks will likely see competition time immediately. Beam should remain one of the Tar Heels’ best events in 2026. | ||
| Locks: Gwen Fink, Jessica Naranjo, JoJo Valahovic | ||
| Contenders: Hannah Aoki, Neve King, Regan McBride, Sydney Seabrooks, Anna Pearl Stanley | ||
| Wildcards: Jillian Fisher, Elly King, Camryn Rueda, Claire Stippich |
Floor
2025 Event Ranking: No. 32 | NQS: 49.170 | Average: 49.012 | High: 49.425
| Event Overview: Floor showed major improvement from 2024 and became a consistent-scoring event, typically lying in the high 48s to low 49s weekly. Valahovic and Forbes will likely lead the way here again, and some additional high-flying tumbling options should help North Carolina continue to improve its ranking on this event in 2026. | ||
| Locks: Kaya Forbes, Jessica Naranjo, JoJo Valahovic | ||
| Contenders: Hannah Aoki, Gwen Fink, Elly King, Sydney Seabrooks, Claire Stippich | ||
| Wildcards: TaeLyn Canty, Jillian Fisher, Molly Neinstein, Camryn Rueda, Anna Pearl Stanley, Amy Wozniak |
Records Watch
Team: 197.350 | AA: 39.725 (Courtney Bumpers) | VT: 49.525/9.975 (Courtney Bumpers) | UB: 49.475/10.0 (Lali Dekanoidze) | BB: 49.475/10.0 (Brooke Wilson) | FX: 49.875/10.0 (Courtney Bumpers)
The Big Picture
North Carolina made a big leap in the rankings in 2025 and stands to do so again in 2026. While it lost some star power from previous seasons, the Tar Heels reloaded with some under-the-radar level 10s that will make a difference in their four years at Chapel Hill. North Carolina should contend for a regionals bid once again.
Likely 2026 finish: Regionals Round Two
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Article by Savanna Wellman
