University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Gymnastics Picked Fourth In ACC Preseason Poll
December 11, 2025 | Women's Gymnastics
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference released the women's gymnastics preseason coaches poll and watch list Thursday afternoon. The University of North Carolina women's gymnastics program is set for their third season of ACC action in 2026. In a vote from league coaches, UNC was picked to finish fourth with three Tar Heels making the Preseason Watch Lists. Seniors Gwen Fink and Kaya Forbes were named to the Watch List with Sydney Seabrooks on the Newcomer List.
The Tar Heels had a strong showing in the ACC Championships last season and will look to build off that momentum heading into the 2026 campaign. Carolina finished third with a score of 197.225 marking the highest team score in the Danna Durante era.
Gwen Fink is poised for a strong final season in Carolina blue. The Fort Mill, S.C. native was crowned ACC Co-Champion on beam after posting a career-high score of 9.9 for the fourth time last season. The senior also recorded a 9.9 for the third time in her career on bars at the ACC Championships.
Kaya Forbes finished the conference season last year earning All-ACC Championship Team honors for finishing in the top six on floor with a score of 9.9. At the ACC Championships, Forbes also notched a career-high 9.925 on vault moving her into third all-time in program history. The senior later punched her ticket to the 2025 Gymnastics National Championships as an individual competing on vault. Forbes finished 25th during session two and tie for 44th overall after recording a 9.7875 score on vault at the National Championships.
Sydney Seabrooks is one of four freshmen set to make their Carolina debut this season. The Clearwater, Fla. native previously competed at Lafleur's Lago Gymnastics where she was a 2024 team national champion, two-time region eight all-star team member, and posted three top 10 finishes at level 10 nationals. Seabrooks was recently named to the Most Anticipated All-Around Freshmen List by College Gym News. The freshman was one of just 10 gymnasts named to the Level 10s portion of the list.
The Tar Heels will open ACC competition on Jan. 18 as they host reigning ACC Champions Stanford.
ACC Preseason Coaches Poll
Sage Melkonian (Cal)
Annalise Newman-Achee (Cal)
Ella Cesario (Clemson)
Brie Clark (Clemson)
Kaya Forbes (UNC)
Gwen Fink (UNC)
Ashley Knight (NC State)
Synya Thomas (NC State)
Jaime Pratt (Pitt)
Hallie Cooperwheat (Pitt)
Anna Roberts (Stanford)
Sienna Robinson (Stanford)
ACC Preseason Newcomer List
Tonya Paulsson (Cal)
Emma Malewski (Clemson)
Sydney Seabrooks (UNC)
Autumn Rardin (NC State)
Layla Bobek (Pitt)
Ana Barbosu (Stanford)
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Tar Heels had a strong showing in the ACC Championships last season and will look to build off that momentum heading into the 2026 campaign. Carolina finished third with a score of 197.225 marking the highest team score in the Danna Durante era.
Gwen Fink is poised for a strong final season in Carolina blue. The Fort Mill, S.C. native was crowned ACC Co-Champion on beam after posting a career-high score of 9.9 for the fourth time last season. The senior also recorded a 9.9 for the third time in her career on bars at the ACC Championships.
Kaya Forbes finished the conference season last year earning All-ACC Championship Team honors for finishing in the top six on floor with a score of 9.9. At the ACC Championships, Forbes also notched a career-high 9.925 on vault moving her into third all-time in program history. The senior later punched her ticket to the 2025 Gymnastics National Championships as an individual competing on vault. Forbes finished 25th during session two and tie for 44th overall after recording a 9.7875 score on vault at the National Championships.
Sydney Seabrooks is one of four freshmen set to make their Carolina debut this season. The Clearwater, Fla. native previously competed at Lafleur's Lago Gymnastics where she was a 2024 team national champion, two-time region eight all-star team member, and posted three top 10 finishes at level 10 nationals. Seabrooks was recently named to the Most Anticipated All-Around Freshmen List by College Gym News. The freshman was one of just 10 gymnasts named to the Level 10s portion of the list.
The Tar Heels will open ACC competition on Jan. 18 as they host reigning ACC Champions Stanford.
ACC Preseason Coaches Poll
- Stanford, 34
- Clemson, 25
- California, 21
- North Carolina, 20
- NC State, 17
- Pitt, 9
Sage Melkonian (Cal)
Annalise Newman-Achee (Cal)
Ella Cesario (Clemson)
Brie Clark (Clemson)
Kaya Forbes (UNC)
Gwen Fink (UNC)
Ashley Knight (NC State)
Synya Thomas (NC State)
Jaime Pratt (Pitt)
Hallie Cooperwheat (Pitt)
Anna Roberts (Stanford)
Sienna Robinson (Stanford)
ACC Preseason Newcomer List
Tonya Paulsson (Cal)
Emma Malewski (Clemson)
Sydney Seabrooks (UNC)
Autumn Rardin (NC State)
Layla Bobek (Pitt)
Ana Barbosu (Stanford)
Stay up to date with Carolina Gymnastics by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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