University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Gymnastics Ready For Another Record-Breaking Season
December 14, 2022 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Last year was one for the history books for the University of North Carolina gymnastics program and the Tar Heels are eager to build upon their success heading into the 2023 season under head coach Danna Durante, now in her second year at the helm.
Fans can get a first look at Carolina's 2023 squad, ranked No. 27 nationally and first in conference during preseason, Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET for the annual blue/white intrasquad meet at Carmichael Arena. Doors open at 7 p.m. and holiday attire is encouraged.Â
The 2023 home opener at Carmichael Arena is slated for Monday, Jan. 9, featuring an in-state showdown versus league foe NC State. UNC had a program-best 4,125 fans during its home opener in 2022 – and the Tar Heels are striving to break that attendance record once again.
Last season, the Tar Heels earned their first regional berth to the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship in five years behind their highest national qualifying score since 2004 with a mark of 391.375. The team topped Towson, 195.725-195.250, in dramatic fashion to advance to the second round.Â
Julia Knower (all-around), Lali Dekanoidze (vault) and All-American Elizabeth Culton (beam, bars) also qualified as individual event specialists. North Carolina finished the season with its best final NCAA ranking since 2012, checking in at No. 32.Â
Prior to its remarkable NCAA postseason run, UNC was crowned the outright East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) regular season champion after posting an undefeated 7-0 record against conference opponents. Five gymnasts in Culton, Dekanoidze, Bri Greenlow, Knower and Isabelle Schaefer earned a combined 12 All-EAGL honors:
Following an exceptional rookie season, Knower also picked up the honor of Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Region Six Gymnast of the Year. Knower, who was one of just three freshmen to earn a regional accolade, competed in the all-around in every meet in 2022 and won 10 event titles.
Furthermore, the Tar Heels recorded their best scores on bar (49.300), beam (49.350) and on the road (196.625) since 2004, also achieving 25 rotation scores above 49.000. UNC began the season with a bang, earning its best season-opening score in program history with a final tally of 195.70.Â
While Carolina boasts ample experience with its returning gymnasts, the team has added plenty of talent with its five newcomers: first-years Gwen Fink, Kaya Forbes, Paige Prejean and Amy Wozniak as well as sophomore transfer Taylor Schulze. In total, UNC's roster features four freshmen, seven sophomores, four juniors and six seniors with 12 different states represented, highlighted by eight in-staters.Â
Just as they excel on the mats, Carolina gymnasts also experienced success in the classroom last year. Culton, who boasts a cumulative grade-point average of 3.84 as a nursing major, was named the EAGL Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Including Culton, 16 additional Tar Heels received EAGL All-Scholastic Team recognition. Fifteen individuals landed on the ACC Academic Honor Roll, too.
Nine student-athletes garnered WCGA Scholastic All-America honors, including Culton for the third consecutive year and Greenlow, Allison LaNasa and Sophie Silverstein for the second straight season. North Carolina was one of 77 programs nationwide that registered a team GPA above 3.0.
More information about Carolina Gymnastics can be found here and the complete 2023 schedule is available here.
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Â
Fans can get a first look at Carolina's 2023 squad, ranked No. 27 nationally and first in conference during preseason, Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. ET for the annual blue/white intrasquad meet at Carmichael Arena. Doors open at 7 p.m. and holiday attire is encouraged.Â
The 2023 home opener at Carmichael Arena is slated for Monday, Jan. 9, featuring an in-state showdown versus league foe NC State. UNC had a program-best 4,125 fans during its home opener in 2022 – and the Tar Heels are striving to break that attendance record once again.
Last season, the Tar Heels earned their first regional berth to the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship in five years behind their highest national qualifying score since 2004 with a mark of 391.375. The team topped Towson, 195.725-195.250, in dramatic fashion to advance to the second round.Â
Julia Knower (all-around), Lali Dekanoidze (vault) and All-American Elizabeth Culton (beam, bars) also qualified as individual event specialists. North Carolina finished the season with its best final NCAA ranking since 2012, checking in at No. 32.Â
Prior to its remarkable NCAA postseason run, UNC was crowned the outright East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) regular season champion after posting an undefeated 7-0 record against conference opponents. Five gymnasts in Culton, Dekanoidze, Bri Greenlow, Knower and Isabelle Schaefer earned a combined 12 All-EAGL honors:
- Dekanoidze (First Team, Vault - 9.855)
- Knower (Second Team, Vault - 9.805)
- Culton (First Team, Bars - 9.880)
- Dekanoidze (First Team, Bars - 9.850)
- Schaefer (First Team, Bars - 9.840)
- Culton (First Team, Beam - 9.900)
- Knower (First Team, Beam - 9.890)
- Culton (Second Team, Floor - 9.830)
- Greenlow (Second Team, Floor - 9.830)
- Knower (Second Team, Floor - 9.850)
- Dekanoidze (First Team, All-Around - 39.165)
- Knower (First Team, All-Around - 39.240)
Following an exceptional rookie season, Knower also picked up the honor of Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) Region Six Gymnast of the Year. Knower, who was one of just three freshmen to earn a regional accolade, competed in the all-around in every meet in 2022 and won 10 event titles.
Furthermore, the Tar Heels recorded their best scores on bar (49.300), beam (49.350) and on the road (196.625) since 2004, also achieving 25 rotation scores above 49.000. UNC began the season with a bang, earning its best season-opening score in program history with a final tally of 195.70.Â
While Carolina boasts ample experience with its returning gymnasts, the team has added plenty of talent with its five newcomers: first-years Gwen Fink, Kaya Forbes, Paige Prejean and Amy Wozniak as well as sophomore transfer Taylor Schulze. In total, UNC's roster features four freshmen, seven sophomores, four juniors and six seniors with 12 different states represented, highlighted by eight in-staters.Â
Just as they excel on the mats, Carolina gymnasts also experienced success in the classroom last year. Culton, who boasts a cumulative grade-point average of 3.84 as a nursing major, was named the EAGL Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Including Culton, 16 additional Tar Heels received EAGL All-Scholastic Team recognition. Fifteen individuals landed on the ACC Academic Honor Roll, too.
Nine student-athletes garnered WCGA Scholastic All-America honors, including Culton for the third consecutive year and Greenlow, Allison LaNasa and Sophie Silverstein for the second straight season. North Carolina was one of 77 programs nationwide that registered a team GPA above 3.0.
More information about Carolina Gymnastics can be found here and the complete 2023 schedule is available here.
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Â
Players Mentioned
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
UB, BB
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's Gymnastics
AA
/ Women's GymnasticsMBB: Post-VCU Press Conference
Friday, March 20
WBB: Harris, Nivar, Banghart - Pre-Western Illinois Press Conference - March 19, 2026
Thursday, March 19
UNC Baseball: Heels Earn Midweek W Over Spartans, 8-2
Wednesday, March 18
MBB: Trimble, Veesaar & Davis Pre-VCU Press Conference
Wednesday, March 18