After starting the season 0-2 in ACC matchups, No. 16 Clemson upset No. 12 UNC on Friday, Jan. 30, 197.025-196.375. With the help of the third-highest score on bars in Clemson gymnastics history and a near-perfect floor routine by Brie Clark, the Tigers posted a score north of 197 for the first time since 2024.
Clemson began the night on vault with veteran Clark leading off. Clark started the rotation with a 9.750. Tara Walsh led the scores with a 9.875, followed by Maggie Holman with a 9.850. For the second week in a row, Clemson fans saw UCLA transfer Paige Anastasi as a Tiger, where she completed an exhibition vault.
The Tigers have remained consistent on bars throughout the past two seasons, making it one of their strongest events, and Friday was no different. Lilly Lippeatt began the rotation with a score of 9.850, tying with Hannah Clark. California transfer Ella Cesario has been one of the most impactful pieces for Team 3, and on Friday, the story was no different. Cesario won the event, scoring a 9.900 for the second time this season.
After two rotations, the Tigers led UNC 98.375 to 98.225.
On beam, Clemson scored a 9.875 for all the routines that were counted for scoring. That lineup included Walsh leading off, Clark, Lippeatt, Cesario and Quinn Kuhl — the most consistent beam lineup this season and the second-highest beam score Clemson gymnastics has ever had.
With a 147.700-147.375 lead over UNC, the Tigers headed to the floor to close out the night.
The Tarheels struggled on beam and had to count two scores of 9.675. Meanwhile, Clemson showed out on the floor with Clark scoring a 9.950, followed by Holman and Cesario, who both scored 9.875.
Cesario went on to win bars with her 9.900 and the all-around with a score of 39.450 for the first time this season. Cesario is the first Tiger since 2024 to compete in the all-around and win in her second time competing in it. Clark has swept the floor event this season, winning it at every meet — a streak that continued on Friday with her 9.950. She is ranked No. 4 nationally in the event.
Clemson closed out the meet with a 197.025, a score it has not seen since the inaugural season.
The Tigers will be back in Littlejohn Coliseum next Friday, Feb. 7, to take on California at 6 p.m.
