The Clemson gymnastics team pulled off an upset against the No. 19 Pittsburgh Panthers. With a final score of 195.500 to 195.100, the Tigers claimed victory in their first ACC matchup of the season.
The Tigers started out on bars, where sophomore Takoda Berry ultimately won the event and scored a career-high 9.825. Behind her was freshman Hannah Clark, who scored 9.800, and redshirt senior Eve Jackson and sophomore Quinn Kuhl, who both scored 9.750.
Clemson headed into its second rotation, vault, down .05 to the Panthers. Trinity Brown, Maggie Holman and Jackson all scored 9.825, which allowed the Tigers to take the lead after the second rotation. Kuhl scored 9.800, followed by Tara Walsh’s 9.750, and Clemson led 97.850 to 97.525.
Lilly Lippeatt began the third rotation, scoring a 9.675 on floor, tying with Brie Clark. Jackson scored the highest of the Tigers with a score of 9.775, along with two scores of 9.750 from Madison Minner and Brown.
The Tigers were still leading as they headed into the final rotation of the meet. Sophomore Sierra Church scored the highest score of the night for the Tigers on beam with a 9.850. Church’s score was the highest individual score of the season for Clemson so far.
Freshman Danika Nielsen scored 9.800, followed by Lippeatt with a score of 9.750 and Kielyn McCright with 9.725. Kuhl finished the Tigers’ final rotation with a score of 9.825, and Clemson was able to come out on top against the Panthers.
Clemson will travel to California next week to take on the No. 5-ranked Golden Bears on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 5 p.m.
